Recent advances in technology have created new ways to help people with disabilities, especially those with mental retardation, to overcome their limitations and learn the academic, social, vocational, and survival skills necessary to function independently in society, but because of prohibitive aspects such as high costs, appropriate assistive technology is not yet readily available to all who require it. This paper traces the special needs of students with mental retardation, the history and advancements in using technology in education, the boom in assistive technology, and how assistive technology benefits people with mental retardation. It also examines expense and other factors that prevent widespread access to assistive devices and services.