Pros and Cons of Delivering Assistive Technology

Matching Electronic Device Characteristic to the User’s Needs and Skills

Assistive products can be divided into those used to make existing mainstream products accessible and those required to overcome the barriers due to partially or totally inaccessible infrastructures and environments. While there will probably always be a need for some assistive devices, the application of design for all principles to the design of mainstream products will remove the need for some of them. For instance, screen readers are required to make computer operating systems accessible to blind people. However, many of these operating systems now incorporate screen readers and improvements in the functionality and performance of these incorporated screen readers will probably eventually remove the need for additional screen readers as assistive devices. However, for the foreseeable future there is likely to be a need for assistive devices in the form of Braille displays and keyboards and eye control input devices, since including them in standard computer setups would increase price and complexity. The mobility of physically disabled people generally requires a combination of accessible infrastructures and environments and a mobility or support device. The accessibility of infrastructures and environments is improving with the removal of barriers and the addition of ramps and lifts. However, for the foreseeable future the use of personal mobility or support devices such as wheelchairs and walkers is likely to be the best solution in terms of the use of resources and the state of technology.

Evaluating the Match between Characteristics and the Consumer’s Skills and Needs

Consumer product design is a fairly mature field in which a number of methodologies have been developed, though there is always a role for further developments. The fact that there are frequently even greater differences between the end-users and designers of assistive than other consumer products makes the use of user-centered design particularly appropriate for assistive products. Existing design approaches can be used for assistive product design, including the design of one-off products. However further work will be required on the development of methodologies for accessible and usable design, though this should become good practice for all consumer products, not just assistive ones. Further work is also required in the area of end-user involvement, with a particular focus on methods which are suitable for disabled and elderly end-users.

Effects of Errors in Assistive Technology Systems

This is technical work in the assessment of need for assistive devices in order to solve accessibility, mobility, and participatory problems created by disabilities. Ensures proper design, optimum fit, and function. Designs and fabricates advanced assistive technology systems including but not limited to wheel chair positioning systems, augmentative communication systems, and electronic aids to daily living. Work involves the use of a wide variety of tools, materials, and equipment to design, construct, and/or modify assistive devices. Operates an assortment of tools and equipment to design, fabricate, modify, and/or repair wheelchairs and associated rehabilitative support equipment in accordance with prescribed specifications. Directs, trains, and provides technical instruction to staff in the fabrication, modification, and/or repair of assistive devices and/or their components. Performs maintenance and repairs on tools and equipment and ensures optimum operating conditions. Monitors and ensures adequate inventory of laboratory tools, equipment, and supplies; maintains the work area in a clean and orderly fashion. Determines appropriate assistive device.
Evaluates assessment and initial design.

Assistive Technology Outcome Having an impact on The Quality of Life

In an aging society, it is increasingly important to understand how assistive devices can be used by older people to maintain quality of life despite chronic disabilities. Assistive technology is a mainstay of physical therapist practice, but the potential for device use to affect psychosocial well-being is not yet understood at the population level. The results from many research efforts on the use of assistive devices are reviewed and summarized. Further, conceptual and methodological issues related to the use and abandonment of assistive technologies are discussed. Overall, this review should be helpful to professionals making device recommendations, documenting the need for a device, and assessing short- and long-term device utilization. The available literature lends support to a model of matching person and technology that considers environments of device use, characteristics of the user's preferences and expectations, and device features and functions. To ensure that assistive technologies enhance users' quality of life, future emphases should focus on consumer involvement in the selection and evaluation of appropriate assistive technology, and ways to make technologies more widely available and affordable.