Occupational therapy making inroads in the domain of assistive technology

Abstract

Welcome to this special section on assistive technology (AT) in the WFOT Bulletin. This section is anticipated to provide ameaningful forum for the discussion of AT from the global fraternity of occupational therapists, as they put forth their unique experiences, perspectives and scientific work, whichmay ultimately result in outcomes and benefits for people around the world. The articles presented in this issue reflect meaningful efforts at documenting outcomes and benefits from these varying perspectives. Technology has evolved from analog electronic and mechanical devices to digital technology; advancements included personal computers, the internet, information and communication technology, the introduction of robotics and early artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, virtual reality, automated vehicle and telerehabilitation. Technology is driving the future, but this pose challenges for occupational therapists as well as opportunities. It has changed the way we perform activities of daily living (ADL) and created new ways for occupational therapists to assess and provide intervention services (Liu, 2018). In the WHO-UNICEF Global Report of Assistive Technology (2022), the positive impact of assistive products goes far beyond improving health, wealth, well-being, participation and inclusion of individual users; families and societies also benefit. According to this report, there is estimated more than 2.5 billion people who would benefit from one or more assistive products and this number is projected to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050. There is considerable global inequity among countries in terms of access to assistive products, varying from 3% to 90% (WHO, 2019). The numbers captured are enormous and the span of access is skewed, occupational therapists can play a critical role in easing the burden by playing the role of an advocate, creator, facilitator, trainer, policy decisions, guidelines, reducing the gaps in service provision, availability and necessary support to obtain the devices. The global fraternity of occupational therapists is entering a new era of occupational therapy practice which coincides with the emerging technologies, creating challenges to our current practices while also presenting new opportunities in enabling occupation. Occupational therapy provides a unique perspective in regard to the assessment and provision of assistive devices for their service users (Thawisuk et al., 2022). Although occupational therapists realize the importance of AT in different walks of functional life, very little evidence suggests that occupational therapists are actively engaged in all key domains of AT like conceptualizing, designing, crafting and customizing AT to suit the needs of individuals. Occupational therapists may play a critical role in ameliorating identified barriers by enhancing level of awareness, making devices affordable by getting involved in utilized of indigenization of materials, enhance service provision, monitor quality, range and quantity, reducing capacity gaps in the AT workforce, and promoting inclusion, participation and engagement of persons with disabilities. But the individualized nature of occupational therapy has evoked many ethical considerations that must be addressed, e.g. adequate education of users and professionals for proper assessment and matching of person to AT, and considering engagement in meaningful occupations, cost and fidelity of AT and governmental policies (Akyurek et al., 2017). According to its position statement on assistive technology (2019), WFOT affirms that the profession of occupational therapy will enhance equitable access to appropriate assistive technologies in the backdrop of global diversity. This should be done by factoring in the technology design, development and implementation. It also observes that the occupational therapy workforce needs the skill to provide pragmatic, indigenous AT services and products that are meaningful to the needs of the populations they serve (World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2019). As noted by Alvarez et al. (2019), WFOT also promotes the need for training and context-based strategies and is committed to promote understanding of the various hurdles in the AT process and developing collaborations to address these challenges. Occupational therapists are often the front line of AT provision and advocacy efforts. These diverse experiences and perceptions will always be an advantage to occupational therapists, by providing a unique insight.