Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA最新文献

{"title":"Applying market shaping approaches to increase access to assistive technology in low- and middle-income countries.","authors":"Margaret Savage,&nbsp;Sarah Albala,&nbsp;Frederic Seghers,&nbsp;Rainer Kattel,&nbsp;Cynthia Liao,&nbsp;Mathilde Chaudron,&nbsp;Novia Afdhila","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1991050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1991050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Development outcomes are inextricably linked to the health of the marketplace that delivers products and services to people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Shortcomings in the market for assistive technology (AT) contribute to low access in LMIC. Market shaping is aimed at improving a market's specific outcomes, such as access to high quality, affordable AT, by targeting the root causes of these shortcomings. The paper summarizes the findings of market analyses conducted under the UK aid funded AT2030 programme in support of ATscale and aims to discuss how market shaping can help more people gain access to the AT that they need and what are the best mechanisms to unlock markets and commercial opportunity in LMICs. The paper also explores how market shaping for AT markets could be part of a mission-oriented approach AT policy. A mission-oriented approach can help accelerate progress toward a common objective among stakeholders, at country or global level. While market-shaping activities direct the outcomes of the market toward a specific end goal, such as access to quality, affordable products and services, missions are more comprehensive and include other policy interventions and stakeholder collaborations in order to create a robust and sustainable structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"124-135"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39637607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inclusive education: The case for early identification and early intervention in assistive technology.","authors":"Paula Frederica Hunt","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1974122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1974122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper starts by presenting the argument that inclusive education for learners with disabilities is often not possible without their access to fit-for-purpose assistive technology (AT), as the barriers to their education are often environmental.The paper will argue that, if assistive technology is an enabler for learning, then the processes by which children with disabilities are identified as users of assistive technology must take place as early as possible in the lifecycle. Mechanisms associated with Early Identification and Early Intervention (EI/EI) must be outfitted with all necessary resources for identifying and addressing the unique assistive technology needs of each individual child, but also have a prospective view of the use of the assistive technology in order to ensure school-age children start benefiting from assistive technology as early as possible.A further argument will be made that, when adequate identification of the need for assistive technology has not taken place early, education systems must be prepared to - in collaboration with other ministries or departments - identify, assess and provide the necessary assistive technology not only as it relates to education use, but to all-inclusive and holistic use. The argument will be made for adequately resourcing \"support services for inclusion\" and creating transdisciplinary teams of professionals that can effectively ensure equitable access and participation of all children with disabilities in inclusive education.Throughout, some examples of good practices will support the narrative, and the paper will close with recommendations for stakeholders involved in developing policies and practices for inclusive education.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"94-101"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39873168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of innovation strategies and processes to improve access to AT: Looking ahead to open innovation ecosystems.","authors":"Catherine Holloway,&nbsp;Dafne Zuleima Morgado Ramirez,&nbsp;Tigmanshu Bhatnagar,&nbsp;Ben Oldfrey,&nbsp;Priya Morjaria,&nbsp;Soikat Ghosh Moulic,&nbsp;Ikenna D Ebuenyi,&nbsp;Giulia Barbareschi,&nbsp;Fiona Meeks,&nbsp;Jessica Massie,&nbsp;Felipe Ramos-Barajas,&nbsp;Joanne McVeigh,&nbsp;Kyle Keane,&nbsp;George Torrens,&nbsp;P V M Rao,&nbsp;Malcolm MacLachlan,&nbsp;Victoria Austin,&nbsp;Rainer Kattel,&nbsp;Cheryl D Metcalf,&nbsp;Srinivasan Sujatha","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1970653","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1970653","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is essential to understand the strategies and processes which are deployed currently across the Assistive Technology (AT) space toward measuring innovation. The main aim of this paper is to identify functional innovation strategies and processes which are being or can be deployed in the AT space to increase access to AT globally. We conducted a scoping review of innovation strategies and processes in peer-reviewed literature databases and complemented this by identifying case studies demonstrating innovation strategies. The review includes WHO world region, publication year, AT type and a sector analysis against the Systems-Market for Assistive and Related Technologies Framework. We analyzed the case studies and interviews using thematic analysis. We included 91 papers out of 3,127 after review along with 72 case studies. Our results showed that product innovations were more prevalent than provision or supply innovations across papers and case studies. Case studies yielded two themes: open innovation (OI); radical and disruptive innovation. Financial instruments which encourage OI are needed and we recommend pursuing OI for AT innovation. Embedding AT within larger societal missions will be key to success governments and investors need to understand what AT is and their translational socioeconomic value.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"68-86"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39637610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meeting AT needs in humanitarian crises: The current state of provision.","authors":"Golnaz Whittaker, Gavin Adam Wood, Giulia Oggero, Maria Kett, Kirstin Lange","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1934612","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1934612","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Humanitarian coordination systems increasingly recognize and aim to respond to the needs of people with disabilities within populations affected by crises, spurred on by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) which was adopted in 2006. Many agencies state their aim to meet the requirements of the CRPD using a \"twin track\" approach: ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream provision, alongside targeted support for their needs, which may include the need for Assistive Technology (AT). However, there is very little evidence of AT provision in humanitarian settings, which is a specific and urgent need for many people including the elderly and people with disabilities, and an implicit requirement of Article 11 of the CRPD and World Health Assembly resolution on improving access to assistive technology. There is also little evidence of effective mechanisms for AT provision in humanitarian settings. This is despite high and growing levels of unmet AT need in crises, and despite the legally binding requirement in the CRPD to provide AT for those who need it. AT provision faces unique challenges in humanitarian settings. This paper discusses the evidence available in the literature for the scale and quality of AT provision interventions in crises, and what is known about the challenges and facilitators of provision. We conducted a search of the academic literature and retained literature that reported on any form of AT provision following crisis, where international humanitarian response was in place, published in English between January 2010 and June 2020. We found very few examples in that academic literature of systematic and coordinated AT provision at the acute stage of crisis, and even less in the preparedness and post-acute stages. However, it is difficult to assess whether this is the result of insufficient academic attention or reflects a lack of provision. The small body of academic literature that describes AT provision in humanitarian settings paints a picture of small-scale provision, specialized to single types of impairments, and delivered by predominantly by NGOs. We also conducted a search of the gray literature, using the same inclusion criteria, in two countries: Afghanistan and South Sudan (case studies forthcoming). This gray literature provided supplementary evidence of the types of AT providers and AT provision available in those protracted crises. There are very few examples of how AT services can be scaled up (from a very low baseline) and maintained sustainably within a strengthened health system. The literature also describes more examples of provision of assistive products for mobility over assistive products for other impairments. If the paucity of literature on AT provision in humanitarian settings is a reflection of the scale of provision, this implies a deficiency in humanitarian response when it comes to providing people with AT needs with the essential products an","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"3-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39637612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Introduction to the companion papers to the global report on assistive technology.","authors":"Johan Borg,&nbsp;Wei Zhang,&nbsp;Emma M Smith,&nbsp;Cathy Holloway","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2021.2003658","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.2003658","url":null,"abstract":"If accessible, assistive technology would be life changing for a billion people across the world today – and two billion people in 2050 (WHO, 2018). It would make the difference between independence and dependence, inclusion and exclusion, life and death. It holds the potential to improve and transform health, education, livelihood and social participation; fundamental human rights everyone is entitled to. And if we are lucky to grow old, the chances are that we all would use assistive technology by then. But do we care? More than seventy years ago, people got entitled to medical care and social services necessary for health and well-being, which include assistive technology (OHCHR, 2008; UN, 1948). But did we care? Nearly thirty years ago, States were explicitly requested to provide assistive technology (UN, 1993). Did we care? Fifteen years ago, States were again requested to facilitate access to assistive technology (UN, 2006). Did we care? Three years ago, yet again States were requested to improve the access to assistive technology within health and social services (WHO, 2018). Do we care this time? Despite having been on the international agenda for generations, it is estimated that only one in ten people have access to the assistive technology they need (WHO, 2018). Is it an insurmountable challenge to improve this situation? No, it is not. As the starting point is very low, every percentage is an important improvement. A far more challenging issue is: Do we care? There are rays of hope that the third time is a charm. States are increasingly embarking on a journey to develop or strengthen their assistive technology systems. To inspire and support this movement, and in response to the World Health Assembly resolution (WHO, 2018), WHO and UNICEF are currently developing the Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) set to be launched in 2022. Based on existing and new evidence, it will provide an overview of the assistive technology scenario in the world and recommend stakeholder-specific actions to improve the access to assistive technology. The development of GReAT engages numerous countries and a multitude of people across the globe: people participating in surveys of needs for and use of assistive technology; users from all countries in the world expressing what assistive technology means to them; governments reporting their status in relation to the resolution (WHO, 2018); as well as experts, policy makers and users developing, discussing and reviewing report contents, leading collection and analyses of data, and guiding the development process. The papers in this special issue of Assistive Technology were commissioned by WHO and UNICEF to inform the development of GReAT. However, as they constitute significant contributions to this field in themselves, the GDI Hub and UNICEF have sponsored their publication to make them freely available. The eleven papers in this special issue offer several compelling reasons to care about improvin","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39637608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emerging technologies and their potential for generating new assistive technologies.","authors":"Sarah Abdi,&nbsp;Irene Kitsara,&nbsp;Mark S Hawley,&nbsp;L P de Witte","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1945704","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1945704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Limited access to assistive technology (AT) is a well-recognized global challenge. Emerging technologies have potential to develop new assistive products and bridge some of the gaps in access to AT. However, limited analyses exist on the potential of these technologies in the AT field. This paper describes a study that aimed to provide an overview of emerging technological developments and their potential for the AT field. It involved conducting a gray literature review and patent analysis to create an overview of the emerging enabling technologies that may foster the development of new AT products and services and identify emerging AT applications. The analysis identified seven enabling technologies that are relevant to the AT field. These are artificial intelligence, emerging human-computer interfaces, sensor technology, robotics, advances in connectivity and computing, additive manufacturing and new materials. Whilst there are over 3.7 million patents related to these enabling technologies, only a fraction of them - 11,000 patents were identified in the analysis specifically related to AT (0.3%). The paper presents some of the promising examples. Overall, the results indicate that there is an enormous potential for new AT solutions that capitalize on emerging technological advances.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"17-26"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39873169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Financing options for the provision of assistive products.","authors":"Kiu Tay-Teo, Diane Bell, Matthew Jowett","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1974979","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2021.1974979","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Having predictable, stable and adequate financial resources is essential for achieving universal coverage of essential health products and services, including assistive products. Access to such resources would enable governments and participating organizations to initiate and maintain a system for providing assistive products and associated services, as well as to grow the scope and scale of their operations over time. While limited funding is not the only reason to explain the shortfall in the provision of assistive products globally, unpredictable and inadequate public funding has been cited as the primary cause of poor access to these products in many countries. Several financing options have been presented in this paper that could be considered by decision-makers to initiate or supplement the financing of assistive products.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"109-123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39873167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An exploratory study analyzing demographics and opinions of assistive technology professionals within the complex rehab technology industry.","authors":"Joy Nix,&nbsp;Richard M Schein,&nbsp;Don Clayback,&nbsp;David M Brienza,&nbsp;Mark R Schmeler","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2019.1619634","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2019.1619634","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This exploratory study investigated the demographics of Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs) regarding their age, education, certifications, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, disability status, method of financial compensation, company type, and category. In addition, it analyzed opinions on the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry regarding education level and licensure. An 18-question survey developed and disseminated by the University of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) resulted in 252 responses from current ATPs in the Supplier/Manufacturing industry. The average age of respondents of 51.9 years showed to be above the national average workforce age of 42.2 years. Data were analyzed as a whole and by comparing answers for respondents below and above the average age. 92.4% of the respondents were Caucasian and 79.0% were male showing a need for diversity in the field. Forty-five percent of the younger age group had additional certifications compared to 30% of the older group. 79.8% of all respondents would recommend the ATP profession to someone looking for a career. Findings support the need to increase awareness of the ATP supplier/manufacturing profession to attract younger professionals including those from minority groups. Findings also support the need for additional training for the profession.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"255-263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10400435.2019.1619634","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40449475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Matuto, Magbasa, Maglaro: Learning to read braille through play.","authors":"Rhianne M Lopez,&nbsp;Shane D Pinder,&nbsp;T Claire Davies","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2019.1619633","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2019.1619633","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In September 2016, Digital Learning for Development and All Children Reading released a \"Grand Challenge for Development\" urging researchers to explore the barriers that children with sensory disabilities in the Philippines face with respect to learning how to read. We sought to address one component of this challenge; engagement of persons with visual impairment in learning how to read in braille. The primary goal of this study was to engage in the co-design process to create a device to help young children with visual impairments learn to identify letters and short words in braille as a first step to reading.Participant questionnaires identified barriers of current reading devices including: accessibility, portability, durability, usability, and function. A design was prototyped based on results from a weighted evaluation matrix and feedback from partners who taught reading to persons with visual impairments. Usability testing showed that the device was easy to use and interactive. Suggestions for improvement included adding various learning modes and reducing the size, weight, and cost of the device.Results from this study highlight advantages of engaging in the co-design process and provide important data for other researchers developing devices for persons with visual impairments.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"246-254"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10400435.2019.1619633","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40449909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The development of an iPad application for the pain assessment of individuals with developmental disabilities and complex communication needs.","authors":"Alyssa Guard,&nbsp;Michelle Konz,&nbsp;Roger O Smith,&nbsp;Joyce M Engel,&nbsp;Thomas Keating","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2019.1612797","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2019.1612797","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aims</b>: Develop a new pain assessment for youth with communication challenges. The Guard-Putzer Pain Assessment Domains (gPAD) mobile application (app) was designed and tested as a universally accessible way for youth, ages 7-12 years, with a developmental disability (DD) to express their pain experiences through self-report. <b>Methods</b>: A two-phase process developed the design for an app, created an interactive prototype, and tested its face validity and user interface. This work included a comprehensive scoping review of current assessments and pain apps as well as a survey to obtain descriptive data on the clinical practicality of the gPAD to guide the app design. Additionally, 15 therapists reviewed the gPAD assessment. <b>Results</b>: Thirteen respondents (87%) agreed to the statement that they would use the gPAD for this population. School-based practitioners seemed to highlight the most significant needs for the app. <b>Conclusions</b>: Advancement of this app could mainstream the assessment of pain in youth with DD, and other potential populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":282300,"journal":{"name":"Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA","volume":" ","pages":"178-189"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10400435.2019.1612797","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40448913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}