Consumers as partners in inclusive assistive technology research

While there is a general favorable predisposition to the involvement of consumers in rehabilitation and assistive technology research, it remains the case that few research studies are conducted using a participatory approach (participatory action research, inclusive research, emancipatory research). Advantages as well as barriers to the conduct of participatory research are discussed with an emphasis on two research frameworks that have particular relevance to assistive technology and have the potential to make participatory research more viable.

Reducing the risk of abandonment of assistive technologies for people with autism

This paper reports on an investigation that found that conventional techniques for including users in technology design are likely to fail if the user has autism. The heterogeneity of autistic symptomatology across cognitive, social, behavioural and communication domains suggests a 'single user' environment, while rendering typical design interaction techniques meaningless, making the need for assistive technologies great, and the risk of abandonment high. This complex problem of urgency and constraint was addressed through a Delphi study with a panel of psychologists critiquing design activities for people with autism. The major finding is that while each of the activities may work if modified, all require that the designer is well acquainted with autism in general and has a close working relationship based on trust with the individual user. If these requirements are met, there is no reason that the abandonment rate cannot be reduced.

Enhancing music composition opportunities through techology in upper primary classrooms

The research contributes original knowledge about an e-learning model for music education delivery in schools. An innovative project called 'Compose' which combines a range of developments and resources based on computer technology with specific initiatives to addess the identified barriers to composition was designed. This model offers a potentially viable way to make the expertise of music specialists available online in primary classrooms where such expertise would not normally otherwise be available.

Re-conceptualizing disability and assistive technology : Australian consumers driving policy change

For people living with a disability, enablers such as assistive technologies, environmental modifications and personal care can make the difference between living fully and merely existing. This article is written from the standpoints of people with disabilities and professionals in one Australian State who found their government and service system to be a constraining rather than an enabling force. It presents two key components of policy and practice change in the area of assistive technology: challenging understandings of disability, assistive technology, and the desired life outcomes that assistive technology contributes to; and building a public evidence base through consumer-focussed research. In short, government funding of assistive technology needs to move beyond a limited focus on functional needs and take responsibility for fully equipping people to live the lives they aspire to.

The equipping inclusion studies : assistive technology use and outcomes in Victoria ; key findings and policy implications, study 1 - the equipment study, study 2 - the economic study

Approximately one in five of the Australian population lives with disability (AIHW 2006a; ABS 2003). Of these, almost 1.9 million rely on assistive technologies to live independently (Hobbs, Close, Downing, Reynolds & Walker 2009).

Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as,

‘any device, system or design, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customised, that allows an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increase the ease and safety with which a task can be performed’ (Independent Living Centres Australia n.d).

‘Assistive Technology solutions’ have been defined as entailing a combination of devices (aids and equipment), environmental modifications (both in the home and outside of it), and personal care (paid and unpaid) (Assistive Technology Collaboration n.d).

Despite a large number of Australians relying on AT, there is little data available about life for these Australians, the extent of AT use, or unmet need for AT. Existing research in Australia suggests that aids and equipment provision in Australia is ‘fragmented’ across a plethora of government and non government programs (AIHW 2006a:35). In Victoria, one of the prime sources of government funding for AT is the Victorian Aids and Equipment Program (VAEP) which is a subsidy program for the purchase of aids and equipment, home and vehicle modifications for people with permanent or long term disability. Recent research suggests that waiting times for accessing equipment through the VAEP are high, as is the cost burden to applicants (Wilson, Wong & Goodridge 2006). In addition, there appears to be a substantial level of unmet need (KPMG 2007).

Additionally, there is a paucity of literature around the economic evaluation of AT interventions and solution packages, resulting in little evidence of their cost-effectiveness credentials.

The equipping inclusion studies : assistive technology use and outcomes in Victoria ; key findings and policy recommendations

Approximately one in five of the Australian population lives with disability (AIHW 2006a; ABS 2003). Of these, almost 1.9 million rely on assistive technologies to live independently (Hobbs, Close, Downing, Reynolds & Walker 2009).

Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as,

‘any device, system or design, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customised, that allows an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increase the ease and safety with which a task can be performed’ (Independent Living Centres Australia n.d).

‘Assistive Technology solutions’ have been defined as entailing a combination of devices (aids and equipment), environmental modifications (both in the home and outside of it), and personal care (paid and unpaid) (Assistive Technology Collaboration n.d).

Despite a large number of Australians relying on AT, there is little data available about life for these Australians, the extent of AT use, or unmet need for AT. Existing research in Australia suggests that aids and equipment provision in Australia is ‘fragmented’ across a plethora of government and non government programs (AIHW 2006a:35). In Victoria, one of the prime sources of government funding for AT is the Victorian Aids and Equipment Program (VAEP) which is a subsidy program for the purchase of aids and equipment, home and vehicle modifications for people with permanent or long term disability. Recent research suggests that waiting times for accessing equipment through the VAEP are high, as is the cost burden to applicants (Wilson, Wong & Goodridge 2006). In addition, there appears to be a substantial level of unmet need (KPMG 2007).

Additionally, there is a paucity of literature around the economic evaluation of AT interventions and solution packages, resulting in little evidence of their cost-effectiveness credentials.

Minimal force jump within human and assistive robot cooperation

When an assistant robotic manipulator cooperatively performs a task with a human and the task is required to be highly reliable, then fault tolerance is essential. To achieve the fault tolerance force within the human robot cooperation, it is required to map the effects of the faulty joint of the robot into the manipulator’s healthy joints’ torque space and the human force. The objective is to optimally maintain the cooperative force within the human robot cooperation. This paper aims to analyze the fault tolerant force within the cooperation and two frameworks are proposed. Then they have been validated through a fault scenario. Finally, the minimum force jump which is the optimal fault tolerance has been achieved.

Assistive technology costs and outcomes

Assistive technologies (AT or aids and equipment) are a key intervention used by occupational therapists and others to minimise the impact of disability or the effects of ageing upon life participation. Our capacity to provide optimal AT is however subject to pragmatic factors such as the availability of public funding and the complexities of government policy and service provision. The Equipping Inclusion Studies conducted in Victoria between 2008 and 2010 were designed to encompass both health sector and individual perspectives on the effectiveness of AT as it is currently delivered, compared with optimal delivery.

Assistive technology costs and outcomes

Assistive technologies (AT or aids and equipment) are a key intervention used by occupational therapists and others to minimise the impact of disability or the effects of ageing upon life participation. Our capacity to provide optimal AT is however subject to pragmatic factors such as the availability of public funding and the complexities of government policy and service provision. The Equipping Inclusion Studies conducted in Victoria between 2008 and 2010 were designed to encompass both health sector and individual perspectives on the effectiveness of AT as it is currently delivered, compared with optimal delivery.

Pathways to non-complex assistive technology for HACC clients in WA : full report

The project aims to identify, evaluate and make recommendations to improve the pathways by which West Australian (WA) Home and Community Care (HACC) clients access daily living equipment. Otherwise known as assistive technology (AT), these devices are largely non-complex and often low cost. Funded by HACC and conducted within the context of the WA Assessment Framework (WAAF), the project seeks to answer the following question:

The promise of plant based foods - new directions?

The consumption of a plant based diet has important implications for health and the environment, yet little is known about the attitudes of the food industry and media personnel towards plant foods and the barriers they face to the production, retail and promotion of such foods. Therefore, 32 Australian food industry and media representatives participated in individual interviews on plant foods. Participants saw strong health benefits associated with the consumption of plant foods. Barriers to production or retail of plant foods that were identified included drought and lack of grower control over the distribution and marketing of their product. Participants believed that we are in the early stages of learning about consumer attitudes and preferences to plant foods. In addition to the greater financial resources necessary to be able to compete with less healthy foods, better cooperation within and between industry and non-industry groups was identified as a key factor that could help in their endeavours to promote plant foods.