Resource Mobilisation for Assistive Technology in Community Based Rehabilitation: Difference between revisions
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<div class=" | <div class="editorbox"> '''Original Editor '''- [[User:Mahbubur Rahman|Mahbubur Rahman]] '''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}</div> | ||
== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
[[File:Standing frame with Bamboo, wood and roof.jpg|thumb|293x293px|Photo 1: Standing frame]] | [[File:Standing frame with Bamboo, wood and roof.jpg|thumb|293x293px|Photo 1: Standing frame]] | ||
According to recent report | According to a recent report by WHO, it is estimated that 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population – experience a significant disability, and this number is growing day by day as non-communicable diseases and people's life span increase.<ref>World Health Organization. [https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation/global-report-on-health-equity-for-persons-with-disabilities Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities] [Internet]. www.who.int. WHO; 2022 [cited 2023 Nov 22].</ref> | ||
[[Assistive Devices|Assistive devices]] and technology | [[Assistive Devices|Assistive devices]] and technology are linked with everyone in the world who experiences functional difficulties, either for short or long periods or permanently, including children and adults with disabilities, older people, and people living with chronic conditions. <ref name=":0">World Health Organization, Unicef. [https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/354357/9789240049451-eng.pdf?sequence=1 Global Report on Assistive Technology] [Internet]. www.who.int. 2022 [cited 2023 Nov 22]. Page 33 (Box 2.2).</ref> | ||
It is estimated that about 85-95% of people who need | It is estimated that about 85-95% of people who need [[Assistive Devices|assistive devices]] and technologies in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are unable to access them. <ref>Matter R, Harniss M, Oderud T, Borg J, Eide AH. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27443790/ Assistive technology in resource-limited environments: a scoping review.] Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2016 Jul 21;12(2):105–14.</ref> | ||
== Purpose == | |||
The most commonly reported barrier to assistive product access is affordability and lack of availability, as well as expensiveness. A rapid assistive technology assessment (rATA) survey of individuals with disabilities in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, found that about half of the respondents reported unmet needs for assistive products. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
To fulfil the unmet needs of [[Assistive Devices|assistive devices]] and technologies, rehabilitation professionals can innovatively use locally available resources in [[Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)|community-based rehabilitation]]. This also strengthens the capacity of the community people to utilize the affordable and available resources to maximize the functional abilities of individuals who require assistive devices, especially mobility devices. It is also recommended during the [[What is Early Rehabilitation in Disasters and Conflicts|early rehabilitation in disasters and conflicts]]. | |||
{{#ev:youtube|0Zosc8dEBf8|width}}The video clearly described the assistive devices and technologies, including how simple and tiny changes may have a big impact on the life of a person with a disability.<ref>Rachael Hope. Assistive Technology for Developmental Delays, Part 1. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zosc8dEBf8 [last accessed 22/11/2023]</ref> | |||
== Materials can be used == | == Materials can be used == | ||
There are lots of locally available material's can be used as assistive devices. From | There are lots of locally available material's can be used as assistive devices and technologies. From the practical experience of a rehabilitation professional with community-based rehabilitation for more than five years, here a list includes the common items which can be used to produce [[Assistive Devices|assistive devices]] or technologies locally and cost-effectively. | ||
[[File:Parallal Bar with Bamboo and rope.jpg| | [[File:Parallal Bar with Bamboo and rope.jpg|600x600px|Photo 2: Parallel bar with bamboo and rope.|center]] | ||
The list includes, but not limited to, | The list includes, but is not limited to, | ||
* Bamboo | * Bamboo | ||
| Line 37: | Line 32: | ||
* Mud | * Mud | ||
* Sand | * Sand | ||
* Old motor vehicle | * Old motor vehicle tyres, etc. | ||
== | == Role of rehabilitation professional == | ||
Rehabilitation professionals are required to consider different factors as part of their professional reasoning process when making assistive device and technology selections. Some factors should be kept in like environmental factors, financial ability of the family and acceptance by the user and the community. One important thing is that rehabilitation professionals must be aware of their influence on [[Assistive Devices|assistive devices]] and technology selection. <ref>van Niekerk K, Dada S, Tönsing K. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33764252/ Perspectives of rehabilitation professionals on assistive technology provision to young children in South Africa: a national survey.] Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2021 Mar 25;18(5):588–95.</ref> | |||
The rehabilitation professional is the expert who knows the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals, which is why they are the first ones to make innovative ideas for suggesting or advising the best appropriate assistive device and technology while considering all factors. In-depth observation during field visits is highly recommended to identify the resources available in the surroundings. | |||
== | == Bamboo wheelchair: A case presentation == | ||
The bamboo [[Assistive Technology: Mobility Products|wheelchairs]], also known as African Chairs, were tested by Ghanaian [[Types of Wheelchair|manual wheelchair]] users for daily use. The wheelchairs come in two designs - one for urban areas and the other for rural areas. Both designs use bamboo-rod skeletons that are bonded by a hot-glue gun, jointed and wrapped with epoxy-soaked fibres, and upholstered by a local tailor. The chairs are equipped with basic standard wheel components. The design process was iterative, incorporating expert deliberations and feedback from users. The study also recommended increasing the access to mobility and physical activity and remove or reduce the barriers to for the persons with disabilities to maximize their independence in an efficient and cost-effective way.<ref name=":1">Scheffers MF, Ona Ayala KE, Ottesen TD, Tuakli-Wosornu YA. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31795784/ Design and development of mobility equipment for persons with disabilities in low-resource and tropical settings: bamboo wheelchairs.] Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2019 Dec 3;16(4):1–7.</ref> | |||
or | |||
In low-resource settings, people with disabilities often face abrupt [[Barriers to Physical Activity|barriers to mobility and physical activity]] due to social stigmatization, high equipment costs, and limited adaptability. Bamboo wheelchairs can potentially improve access to mobility and physical activity by allowing for efficient and cost-effective production according to the user's needs. Interestingly, bamboo wheelchairs can also help reduce social stigma by avoiding the "medicalization" of traditional mobility devices like wheelchairs.<ref name=":1" /> For more information about the bamboo wheelchair project, please visit [https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/Vista%202019_28_Scheffers.pdf here]. | |||
== Resources == | |||
*[[Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)|Community-based rehabilitation: CBR guidelines by WHO]] | |||
*[http://library.health.go.ug/sites/default/files/resources/Disabled%20Village%20Children%202003.pdf Disabled Village Children By David Werner] | |||
*[https://resources.relabhs.org/resource/early-rehabilitation-in-conflicts-and-disasters/ Early Rehabilitation in Conflict and Disasters Field Handbook], Humanity and Inclusion (HI) | |||
*[https://www.hi.org/sn_uploads/fck/wcpt-role-physiotherapists-disaster-management-final-march-2016.pdf The Role of Physical Therapists in Disaster Management], World Physiotherapy | |||
*[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b3f6ff1710699a7ebb64495/t/5c7fec5c53450a727c4f8a00/1551887455183/ATscale_Strategy+Overview_February+2019.pdf Assistive technology in Tajikistan: situational analysis], WHO Europe, 2019. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Assistive Technology]] | |||
[[Category:Rehabilitation]] | |||
[[Category:Rehabilitation in Disaster and Conflict Situations]] | |||
Latest revision as of 09:26, 5 December 2023
Introduction[edit | edit source]
According to a recent report by WHO, it is estimated that 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population – experience a significant disability, and this number is growing day by day as non-communicable diseases and people's life span increase.[1]
Assistive devices and technology are linked with everyone in the world who experiences functional difficulties, either for short or long periods or permanently, including children and adults with disabilities, older people, and people living with chronic conditions. [2]
It is estimated that about 85-95% of people who need assistive devices and technologies in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are unable to access them. [3]
Purpose[edit | edit source]
The most commonly reported barrier to assistive product access is affordability and lack of availability, as well as expensiveness. A rapid assistive technology assessment (rATA) survey of individuals with disabilities in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, found that about half of the respondents reported unmet needs for assistive products. [2]
To fulfil the unmet needs of assistive devices and technologies, rehabilitation professionals can innovatively use locally available resources in community-based rehabilitation. This also strengthens the capacity of the community people to utilize the affordable and available resources to maximize the functional abilities of individuals who require assistive devices, especially mobility devices. It is also recommended during the early rehabilitation in disasters and conflicts.
The video clearly described the assistive devices and technologies, including how simple and tiny changes may have a big impact on the life of a person with a disability.[4]
Materials can be used[edit | edit source]
There are lots of locally available material's can be used as assistive devices and technologies. From the practical experience of a rehabilitation professional with community-based rehabilitation for more than five years, here a list includes the common items which can be used to produce assistive devices or technologies locally and cost-effectively.
The list includes, but is not limited to,
- Bamboo
- Wood
- Rope
- Plastic bottle
- Branch of tree
- Cloth
- Cotton
- Foam
- Sandbag
- Mud
- Sand
- Old motor vehicle tyres, etc.
Role of rehabilitation professional[edit | edit source]
Rehabilitation professionals are required to consider different factors as part of their professional reasoning process when making assistive device and technology selections. Some factors should be kept in like environmental factors, financial ability of the family and acceptance by the user and the community. One important thing is that rehabilitation professionals must be aware of their influence on assistive devices and technology selection. [5]
The rehabilitation professional is the expert who knows the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals, which is why they are the first ones to make innovative ideas for suggesting or advising the best appropriate assistive device and technology while considering all factors. In-depth observation during field visits is highly recommended to identify the resources available in the surroundings.
Bamboo wheelchair: A case presentation[edit | edit source]
The bamboo wheelchairs, also known as African Chairs, were tested by Ghanaian manual wheelchair users for daily use. The wheelchairs come in two designs - one for urban areas and the other for rural areas. Both designs use bamboo-rod skeletons that are bonded by a hot-glue gun, jointed and wrapped with epoxy-soaked fibres, and upholstered by a local tailor. The chairs are equipped with basic standard wheel components. The design process was iterative, incorporating expert deliberations and feedback from users. The study also recommended increasing the access to mobility and physical activity and remove or reduce the barriers to for the persons with disabilities to maximize their independence in an efficient and cost-effective way.[6]
In low-resource settings, people with disabilities often face abrupt barriers to mobility and physical activity due to social stigmatization, high equipment costs, and limited adaptability. Bamboo wheelchairs can potentially improve access to mobility and physical activity by allowing for efficient and cost-effective production according to the user's needs. Interestingly, bamboo wheelchairs can also help reduce social stigma by avoiding the "medicalization" of traditional mobility devices like wheelchairs.[6] For more information about the bamboo wheelchair project, please visit here.
Resources[edit | edit source]
- Community-based rehabilitation: CBR guidelines by WHO
- Disabled Village Children By David Werner
- Early Rehabilitation in Conflict and Disasters Field Handbook, Humanity and Inclusion (HI)
- The Role of Physical Therapists in Disaster Management, World Physiotherapy
- Assistive technology in Tajikistan: situational analysis, WHO Europe, 2019.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ World Health Organization. Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities [Internet]. www.who.int. WHO; 2022 [cited 2023 Nov 22].
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 World Health Organization, Unicef. Global Report on Assistive Technology [Internet]. www.who.int. 2022 [cited 2023 Nov 22]. Page 33 (Box 2.2).
- ↑ Matter R, Harniss M, Oderud T, Borg J, Eide AH. Assistive technology in resource-limited environments: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2016 Jul 21;12(2):105–14.
- ↑ Rachael Hope. Assistive Technology for Developmental Delays, Part 1. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zosc8dEBf8 [last accessed 22/11/2023]
- ↑ van Niekerk K, Dada S, Tönsing K. Perspectives of rehabilitation professionals on assistive technology provision to young children in South Africa: a national survey. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2021 Mar 25;18(5):588–95.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Scheffers MF, Ona Ayala KE, Ottesen TD, Tuakli-Wosornu YA. Design and development of mobility equipment for persons with disabilities in low-resource and tropical settings: bamboo wheelchairs. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2019 Dec 3;16(4):1–7.
