Potential Benefits

1. Reduces the pressure to select AT applications accurately, the first time:
   Unfortunately, it can take months to determine whether or not an AT application delivers the benefits predicted at the time of assessment.  If an AT application is not delivering the intended results it can be set aside and another may be tried without impacting budgets.

2. Provides access to AT software from public-facing PCs such as public libraries, community centers and university computer labs:
   Students can carry their open source portable AT into a facility, plug it into any PC, use it, unplug it and leave.  No software is installed on the PC being used. No software is downloaded. All Firewall protections may remain intact.

3. Reduces the stigma of using AT software:
   No “special” PCs in “special” classrooms.

4. High cost:
   Unlike all other types of software the cost of commercial AT software has not decreased over the past 10 years. IN many instances it has increased. See: http://ideal-group.org/prices.htm

5. Incompatibility/interoperability issues with other applications installed on the same PC:
   When AT software is installed on a computer, incompatibility or interoperability issues may occur because of the need to share certain files resident on the PC. These occurrences are significantly reduces by running applications from flash drives and the Web.

6. Vandalism and innocent AT software corruption:
   Non-AT software users (students) occasionally corrupt installations of AT software.  This can not happen if there is no AT software installed on the PC.

7. Licensing limitations preclude using AT software on every PC the student may wish/need to use:
   There are no licensing limitations when using portable, web-based and open source AT software.  It can be used on any PC (almost!) located anywhere.

8. Ownership issues:
   Ownership issues sometime come into play when a student needs to take school-purchased AT software home to do their homework.  Many students do not have AT software at home because their parents can not afford it. These licensing limitations are eliminated by licensing the student to use the software from any PC located anywhere. 

9. Outdated AT software:
   Maintenance contracts are expensive.  Many schools can not afford to purchase them. Portable and Web-delivered AT software is automatically updated, via the web, at no cost.