Occupational Therapy Meets Design: An Augmented Reality Tool for Assistive Home Modifications

Occupational therapists (OTs) support people with physical impairments and disabilities (PwIDs) to maintain their functional independence by suggesting home modifications that incorporate assistive technologies (ATs). Augmented reality (AR) systems can support home-modification processes by superimposing 3D items (e.g., ATs) onto real environments (e.g., in homes). In this paper, we report on evaluating a tablet-based AR application for use by OTs to facilitate envisioning the most appropriate scenarios for AT purchase, installation, and use in PwIDs homes. We conducted in situ user studies with ten OTs to evaluate the AR tool and identified the following advantages of using AR in home-modification processes: (1) providing visual clues (AT fit, size, function, and appearance) in the home, (2) supporting collaborative home-modification decision-making processes, (3) facilitating a holistic home-modification approach, and (4) involving stakeholders throughout the home-modification processes. Also, we discuss the lessons learned regarding the usability, usefulness, and future iterations of the AR home-modification tool.