Older people's perceptions of assistive technology — An exploratory pan-European study

This paper describes a study undertaken to explore how assistive technology in the form of a wrist-worn device is perceived by older people for whom it has been devised.

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.

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.

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:

Sistemi "brain-to-computer" invasivi e non invasivi: Il futuro dell' "assistive technology"

Un confronto fra metodiche invasive e non invasive per interfacce brain-to-computer (BCI), al corrente stato dell'arte. Un approfondimento sulle applicazioni mediche, in particolare l'uso nelle tecnologie per l'assistenza di pazienti con malattie degenerative del sistema motorio.

Le interfacce neurali e le loro possibili applicazioni nell'assistive technology

Ogni anno si registra un crescente aumento delle persone affette da patologie neurodegenerative come la sclerosi laterale amiotrofica, la sclerosi multipla, la malattia di Parkinson e persone soggette a gravi disabilità motorie dovute ad ictus, paralisi cerebrale o lesioni al midollo spinale. Spesso tali condizioni comportano menomazioni molto invalidanti e permanenti delle vie nervose, deputate al controllo dei muscoli coinvolti nell’esecuzione volontaria delle azioni. Negli ultimi anni, molti gruppi di ricerca si sono interessati allo sviluppo di sistemi in grado di soddisfare le volontà dell’utente. Tali sistemi sono generalmente definiti interfacce neurali e non sono pensati per funzionare autonomamente ma per interagire con il soggetto. Tali tecnologie, note anche come Brain Computer Interface (BCI), consentono una comunicazione diretta tra il cervello ed un’apparecchiatura esterna, basata generalmente sull’elettroencefalografia (EEG), in grado di far comunicare il sistema nervoso centrale con una periferica esterna. Tali strumenti non impiegano le usuali vie efferenti coinvolte nella produzione di azioni quali nervi e muscoli, ma collegano l'attività cerebrale ad un computer che ne registra ed interpreta le variazioni, permettendo quindi di ripristinare in modo alternativo i collegamenti danneggiati e recuperare, almeno in parte, le funzioni perse. I risultati di numerosi studi dimostrano che i sistemi BCI possono consentire alle persone con gravi disabilità motorie di condividere le loro intenzioni con il mondo circostante e provano perciò il ruolo importante che esse sono in grado di svolgere in alcune fasi della loro vita.

A Qualitative Study of the Assistive Technology Decision-Making Process in Four Pennsylvania School Districts

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the Assistive Technology decision making process at four regional school districts in Pennsylvania. A qualitative case study research method involving the triangulation of data sources was implemented to collect and analyze data. Through an analysis of the data, three major topics emerged that will be addressed in the body of this paper: (a) the procedure for determining assistive technology needs and the dynamics of the decision-making process, b) the cohesiveness of Special Education and General Education programs, and c) major concerns that impact the delivery of assistive technology services.