What is Assistive Technology: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
[[Category:Assistive Technology Content Development Project]] | [[Category:Assistive Technology Content Development Project]] | ||
Assistive technology refers to | Assistive technology refers to "assistive products and related systems and services developed for people to maintain or improve functioning and thereby promote well-being".<ref name=":2">Matter R, Harniss M, Oderud T, Borg J, Eide AH. Assistive technology in resource-limited environments: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2017 Feb 17;12(2):105-14.</ref><ref name=":4">Tangcharoensathien V, Witthayapipopsakul W, Viriyathorn S, Patcharanarumol W. [https://www.who-seajph.org/article.asp?issn=2224-3151;year=2018;volume=7;issue=2;spage=84;epage=89;aulast=Tangcharoensathien Improving access to assistive technologies: challenges and solutions in low-and middle-income countries]. WHO South-East Asia journal of public health. 2018 Jul 1;7(2):84.</ref> It enables people with difficulties in functioning to live healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives, taking part in education, the labour market and social life.<ref name=":6">Smith, R.O., Scherer, M.J., Cooper, R., Bell, D., Hobbs, D.A., Pettersson, C., Seymour, N., Borg, J., Johnson, M.J., Lane, J.P. and Sujatha, S., 2018. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/17483107.2018.1473895?needAccess=true Assistive technology products: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit.] ''Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology'', ''13''(5), pp.473-485.</ref> <ref name=":1" /> It can reduce the need for formal health and support services, long-term care, and the burden on careers. Without assistive technology, people with disabilities and older people and others in need are often excluded, isolated, and locked into poverty, and the burden of morbidity and disability increases .<ref name=":2" />Assistive products can be made, modified or bought.<ref name=":3">Mather, D. Intro to Assistive Technology Course. Physioplus Course. 2022</ref> | ||
=== Right to Assistive Technology === | === Right to Assistive Technology === | ||
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=== Who Needs Assistive Technology === | === Who Needs Assistive Technology === | ||
Access to assistive technology is essential for many people to participate in education, work, as well as family and community life, however only one in 10 people has access. <ref name=":5" /> Although AT is used across the lifespan, the need is most common amongst the elderly, people living with chronic conditions and people with disabilities.<ref name=":5">Assistive technology factsheet. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018 (<nowiki>https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology</nowiki>, accessed 24 may 2021). </ref> <ref name=":1">de Witte, L., Steel, E., Gupta, S., Ramos, V.D. and Roentgen, U., 2018. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2018.1470264 Assistive technology provision: towards an international framework for assuring availability and accessibility of affordable high-quality assistive technology]. ''Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology'', ''13''(5), pp.467-472.</ref> Within the disability category, research shows that 1 in 10 children worldwide are living with a disability.<ref>Banozic A, Shi G, Ke S. [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2022.859272/full The role of Assistive Technology in advancing Sustainable Development Goals.] Frontiers in Political Science.:24.</ref> | Access to assistive technology is essential for many people to participate in education, work, as well as family and community life, however only one in 10 people has access. <ref name=":5" /> Although AT is used across the lifespan, the need is most common amongst the elderly, people living with chronic conditions and people with disabilities.<ref name=":5">Assistive technology factsheet. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018 (<nowiki>https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology</nowiki>, accessed 24 may 2021). </ref> <ref name=":1">de Witte, L., Steel, E., Gupta, S., Ramos, V.D. and Roentgen, U., 2018. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2018.1470264 Assistive technology provision: towards an international framework for assuring availability and accessibility of affordable high-quality assistive technology]. ''Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology'', ''13''(5), pp.467-472.</ref> Within the disability category, research shows that 1 in 10 children worldwide are living with a disability.<ref>Banozic A, Shi G, Ke S. [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2022.859272/full The role of Assistive Technology in advancing Sustainable Development Goals.] Frontiers in Political Science.:24.</ref> | ||
=== What is AT === | |||
Assistive technologies include any item, piece of equipment or product used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. Assistive technologies include low-vision devices, hearing aids, and augmentative and alternative communication systems, walking frames, wheelchairs and prostheses such as artificial legs.<ref name=":4" /> <br>{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHNV0jpC8sY&feature=youtu.be|width}} | |||
Assistive | |||
==== Common Types of Assistive Technology ==== | |||
== Common Types of Assistive Technology == | |||
Assistive devices range from simple, low-technology devices (e.g. walking sticks or adapted cups), to complex, high-technology devices (e.g. specialized computer software/hardware or motorized wheelchairs) It is helpful to consider this wide variety of assistive devices under different categories. <ref name=":0">Khasnabis C, Heinicke Motsch K, Achu K, et al., editors. Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010. Assistive devices. Available from:<nowiki>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310951</nowiki> | Assistive devices range from simple, low-technology devices (e.g. walking sticks or adapted cups), to complex, high-technology devices (e.g. specialized computer software/hardware or motorized wheelchairs) It is helpful to consider this wide variety of assistive devices under different categories. <ref name=":0">Khasnabis C, Heinicke Motsch K, Achu K, et al., editors. Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010. Assistive devices. Available from:<nowiki>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310951</nowiki> | ||
</ref>Some products will fit into more than one category.<ref name=":3" /> | </ref>Some products will fit into more than one category.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
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# [[Assistive Technology: Cognition Products|Cognition Products]]: Cognition (& remembering) is the ability to understand and process information. It refers to the mental functions of the brain such as memory, planning and problem-solving. Brain injuries, intellectual impairment, dementia and mental illness are some of the many conditions that may affect an individual's cognitive ability. The following cognitive devices can assist individuals to remember important tasks/events, manage their time and prepare for activities:<ref name=":0" />pill organizers and whiteboards to remember things. | # [[Assistive Technology: Cognition Products|Cognition Products]]: Cognition (& remembering) is the ability to understand and process information. It refers to the mental functions of the brain such as memory, planning and problem-solving. Brain injuries, intellectual impairment, dementia and mental illness are some of the many conditions that may affect an individual's cognitive ability. The following cognitive devices can assist individuals to remember important tasks/events, manage their time and prepare for activities:<ref name=":0" />pill organizers and whiteboards to remember things. | ||
# [[Assistive Technology: Self Care and Environment Products|Self-care and Environment Products]]: People with physical impairments often have difficulty maintaining good lying, standing or sitting positions for functional activities and are at risk of developing deformities due to improper positioning. The following devices can help overcome some of these difficulties and enable people with disabilities to complete the activities of daily living (e.g. eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, home maintenance). <ref name=":0" />There are many examples of these devices, including: toilet and shower chairs, absorbent cloths. | # [[Assistive Technology: Self Care and Environment Products|Self-care and Environment Products]]: People with physical impairments often have difficulty maintaining good lying, standing or sitting positions for functional activities and are at risk of developing deformities due to improper positioning. The following devices can help overcome some of these difficulties and enable people with disabilities to complete the activities of daily living (e.g. eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, home maintenance). <ref name=":0" />There are many examples of these devices, including: toilet and shower chairs, absorbent cloths. | ||
== Priority Assistive Product List == | == Priority Assistive Product List == | ||
The | The World Health Organization created the Priority Assistive Products List (APL) to improve access to assistive products. This list is comprised of 50 priority assistive products based on widespread need and impact of the user's life. The APL includes both high-tech and low-tech AP in the field of mobility, communication, cognition, personal care, vision, hearing and environment. The list will not be restrictive; the aim is to provide Member States with a model from which to develop a national priority assistive products list according to national need and available resources.<ref>Boot FH, Owuor J, Dinsmore J, MacLachlan M. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jir.12532 Access to assistive technology for people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review to identify barriers and facilitators]. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 2018 Oct;62(10):900-21.</ref> <ref>World Health Organization: Priority Assistive Products List. 2016. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/207694/WHO_EMP_PHI_2016.01_eng.pdf. </ref> | ||
The following list by the World Health Organization <ref name=":0" /> details the 50 priority products, although it should not be considered to be restrictive:<ref>Rohwerder B. Assistive technologies in developing countries</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
Revision as of 22:16, 19 July 2022
Welcome to Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation Content Development Project. Please do not edit unless you are involved in this project, but please come back in the near future to check out new information!! If you would like to get involved in this project and earn accreditation for your contributions, please get in touch!
Original Editors - Habibu Salisu Badamasi
Top Contributors - Robin Tacchetti, Habibu Salisu Badamasi, Naomi O'Reilly, Jess Bell, Ewa Jaraczewska, Kim Jackson and Stacy Schiurring
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Assistive technology refers to "assistive products and related systems and services developed for people to maintain or improve functioning and thereby promote well-being".[1][2] It enables people with difficulties in functioning to live healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives, taking part in education, the labour market and social life.[3] [4] It can reduce the need for formal health and support services, long-term care, and the burden on careers. Without assistive technology, people with disabilities and older people and others in need are often excluded, isolated, and locked into poverty, and the burden of morbidity and disability increases .[1]Assistive products can be made, modified or bought.[5]
Right to Assistive Technology[edit | edit source]
Assistive technology (AT) is identified by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as human rights obligation of both States and international donors. 157 Countries that have ratified the UNCRPD must ensure the availability of high-quality, affordable assistive products as a right, because they are recognized as the first crucial—and mediating—step towards equal opportunities.[6] One billion people globally need assistive technology to lead healthy, productive and dignified lives. As the world’s population ages and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases increases, the need for assistive technology will continue to rise.[7]
Who Needs Assistive Technology[edit | edit source]
Access to assistive technology is essential for many people to participate in education, work, as well as family and community life, however only one in 10 people has access. [7] Although AT is used across the lifespan, the need is most common amongst the elderly, people living with chronic conditions and people with disabilities.[7] [4] Within the disability category, research shows that 1 in 10 children worldwide are living with a disability.[8]
What is AT[edit | edit source]
Assistive technologies include any item, piece of equipment or product used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. Assistive technologies include low-vision devices, hearing aids, and augmentative and alternative communication systems, walking frames, wheelchairs and prostheses such as artificial legs.[2]Common Types of Assistive Technology[edit | edit source]
Assistive devices range from simple, low-technology devices (e.g. walking sticks or adapted cups), to complex, high-technology devices (e.g. specialized computer software/hardware or motorized wheelchairs) It is helpful to consider this wide variety of assistive devices under different categories. [9]Some products will fit into more than one category.[5]
- Mobility Products: Mobility devices assist people to walk or move and may include:Walking aids, portable ramps, and grab bars
- Seeing/Vision Products: Low vision or blindness has a great impact on a person's ability to carry out important life activities. A range of devices (simple to complex) can be used to maximize participation and independence, including reading glasses, magnifiers, audio players, talking and/or touching watches, white canes, braille systems for reading and writing audio devices, e.g. radios, talking books, mobile phones screen readers for computers, e.g. JAWS (Job Access with Speech) is a screen reader programme.
- Hearing Products: Hearing loss affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others; it can impact on many areas of development, e.g. speech and language and restricts educational and employment opportunities, resulting in social discrimination and isolation.[9] Devices include:hearing aids and alarm signalers that use light, sound, and vibration
- Communication Products: Augmentative and alternative communication devices can assist individuals who have difficulty understanding and producing speech. They are provided to support speech (augmentative), or to compensate for speech (alternative)[9]. Devices include:communication boards, books, and card
- Cognition Products: Cognition (& remembering) is the ability to understand and process information. It refers to the mental functions of the brain such as memory, planning and problem-solving. Brain injuries, intellectual impairment, dementia and mental illness are some of the many conditions that may affect an individual's cognitive ability. The following cognitive devices can assist individuals to remember important tasks/events, manage their time and prepare for activities:[9]pill organizers and whiteboards to remember things.
- Self-care and Environment Products: People with physical impairments often have difficulty maintaining good lying, standing or sitting positions for functional activities and are at risk of developing deformities due to improper positioning. The following devices can help overcome some of these difficulties and enable people with disabilities to complete the activities of daily living (e.g. eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, home maintenance). [9]There are many examples of these devices, including: toilet and shower chairs, absorbent cloths.
Priority Assistive Product List[edit | edit source]
The World Health Organization created the Priority Assistive Products List (APL) to improve access to assistive products. This list is comprised of 50 priority assistive products based on widespread need and impact of the user's life. The APL includes both high-tech and low-tech AP in the field of mobility, communication, cognition, personal care, vision, hearing and environment. The list will not be restrictive; the aim is to provide Member States with a model from which to develop a national priority assistive products list according to national need and available resources.[10] [11]
The following list by the World Health Organization [9] details the 50 priority products, although it should not be considered to be restrictive:[12]
| Priority Assistive Product List | |||||
| 1 | Alarm signallers with light/sound/vibration | 18 | Hearing loops/FM systems | 35 | Screen readers |
| 2 | Audioplayers with DAISY capability | 19 | Incontinence products, absorbent | 36 | Simplified mobile phones |
| 3 | Braille displays (note takers) | 20 | Keyboard and mouse emulation software | 37 | Spectacles; low vision, short distance, long distance, filters and protection |
| 4 | Braille writing equipment/braillers | 21 | Magnifiers, digital hand-held | 38 | Standing frames, adjustable |
| 5 | Canes/sticks | 22 | Magnifiers, optical | 39 | Therapeutic footwear; diabetic, neuropathic, orthopaedic |
| 6 | Chairs for shower/ bath/toilet | 23 | Orthoses, lower limb | 40 | Time management products |
| 7 | Closed captioning displays | 24 | Orthoses, spina | 41 | Travel aids, portable |
| 8 | Club foot braces | 25 | Orthoses, upper limb | 42 | Tricycles |
| 9 | Communication boards/books/cards | 26 | Personal digital assistant (PDA) | 43 | Video communication devices |
| 10 | Communication software | 27 | Personal emergency alarm systems | 44 | Walking frames/ walkers |
| 11 | Crutches, axillary/ elbow | 28 | Pill organizers | 45 | Watches, talking/ touching |
| 12 | Deafblind communicators | 29 | Pressure relief cushions | 46 | Wheelchairs, manual for active use |
| 13 | Fall detectors | 30 | Pressure relief mattresses | 47 | Wheelchairs, manual assistant-controlled |
| 14 | Gesture to voice technology | 31 | Prostheses, lower limb | 48 | Wheelchairs, manual with postural support |
| 15 | Global positioning system (GPS) locators | 32 | Ramps, portable | 49 | Wheelchairs, electrically powered |
| 16 | Hand rails/grab bars | 33 | Recorders | 50 | White canes |
| 17 | Hearing aids (digital) and batteries | 34 | Rollators | ||
Resources[edit | edit source]
References [edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Matter R, Harniss M, Oderud T, Borg J, Eide AH. Assistive technology in resource-limited environments: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2017 Feb 17;12(2):105-14.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tangcharoensathien V, Witthayapipopsakul W, Viriyathorn S, Patcharanarumol W. Improving access to assistive technologies: challenges and solutions in low-and middle-income countries. WHO South-East Asia journal of public health. 2018 Jul 1;7(2):84.
- ↑ Smith, R.O., Scherer, M.J., Cooper, R., Bell, D., Hobbs, D.A., Pettersson, C., Seymour, N., Borg, J., Johnson, M.J., Lane, J.P. and Sujatha, S., 2018. Assistive technology products: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13(5), pp.473-485.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 de Witte, L., Steel, E., Gupta, S., Ramos, V.D. and Roentgen, U., 2018. Assistive technology provision: towards an international framework for assuring availability and accessibility of affordable high-quality assistive technology. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13(5), pp.467-472.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mather, D. Intro to Assistive Technology Course. Physioplus Course. 2022
- ↑ Khasnabis C, Mirza Z, MacLachlan M. Opening the GATE to inclusion for people with disabilities. The Lancet. 2015 Dec 5.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Assistive technology factsheet. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018 (https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology, accessed 24 may 2021).
- ↑ Banozic A, Shi G, Ke S. The role of Assistive Technology in advancing Sustainable Development Goals. Frontiers in Political Science.:24.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Khasnabis C, Heinicke Motsch K, Achu K, et al., editors. Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010. Assistive devices. Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310951
- ↑ Boot FH, Owuor J, Dinsmore J, MacLachlan M. Access to assistive technology for people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review to identify barriers and facilitators. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 2018 Oct;62(10):900-21.
- ↑ World Health Organization: Priority Assistive Products List. 2016. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/207694/WHO_EMP_PHI_2016.01_eng.pdf.
- ↑ Rohwerder B. Assistive technologies in developing countries
