Search

Background and aim: A Society's view of disability may influence the perception and use of Assistive Technology (AT) products. Semantic cues or cultural coding provide the viewer with a series of visual stimuli to be given or ascribed meaning. Previous research has shown cognitive approaches to visual perception and assignment of meaning vary between diverse cultures. This study reviews the influence of contextual settings on perception, to provide the basis for a debate on the societal perception of communicative content (semantic/meaning) of an AT product; and, the relevance of different cultural cognitive styles. The paper explores, from a cultural viewpoint, the overall understanding of disability internationally. Method: A Semantic Differential (SD) scale was used to obtain views on the image of an attendant wheelchair from nine hundred and ninety-one (991) young adults from the United Kingdom (UK) and Pakistan (PAK), reflecting the individualist and collectivist societies, respectively. This survey follows a previous paper-based study using the same image and protocol. Comparing the two surveys, a consensus of views from the two groups was achieved. Results and conclusion: The responses from the UK group were skewed towards a negative view of disability compared to the Pakistan group. This inferred greater social stigma associated with this AT product in the UK. The combined findings from both surveys provide insights into societal perception of AT products and disability. Areas for future research are suggested, including what visual components of an AT product (graphemes) appear to be associated with positive or negative responses for collectivist and individual societal groups. Assistive Technology (AT) product designers, academics, professionals and stakeholders need to be aware of challenges which are originated from one's socio-cultural environment. AT products convey certain meanings, semantics, which are interpreted by the society and are subjective to a specific cultural setting. •For the effective communication of meanings and values an AT product relies on the visual clues and design features embedded within the design. However, there have been a limited number of studies reviewing this aspect of product semantics. •The survey and associated testing has highlighted the differences in cultural perception towards AT products and demonstrated the importance of effectively designing the semantic attributes of an AT product as well as its function. •The demonstration of the efficacy of methods within the study for exploring the interpretation of semantic attributes of AT products will help designers and developers better understand the perceptions of individual cultures and societal groups. •A better understanding of different cultures and societies will enable designers and clinicians who specify AT products to reduce AT product abandonment; and, the associated stigma around disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can be effective in assisting physical and psychosocial difficulties experienced by people with spinal cord injury. Perceived benefits and barriers of the current and future use of FES within the wider spinal cord injury community is currently unknown. The main objective of this research was to explore the spinal cord injury community's views of the use of FES to decrease disability in rehabilitation programmes. An online and paper questionnaire was distributed to people with spinal cord injury, health care professionals and researchers working in spinal cord injury settings in the United Kingdom. A total of 299 participants completed the survey (152 people with spinal cord injury, 141 health care professionals and 6 researchers). Common views between groups identified were: (1) FES can be beneficial in improving physical and psychosocial aspects and that (2) adequate support and training for FES application was provided to users. Barriers to FES use included a lack of staff time and training, financial cost and availability of the equipment. Sixty three percent of non-users felt they would use FES in the future if they had the opportunity. Users' views were important in identifying that FES application can be beneficial for people with spinal cord injury but also has some resourceful barriers. In order to increase use, future research should focus on reducing the cost of FES clinical service and also address implementation of awareness and training programmes within spinal units and community rehabilitation settings. Users of functional electrical stimulation think that it is beneficial for improving physical and psychosocial limitations after spinal cord injury Barriers to FES use include a lack of staff time and training, financial cost and availability of the equipment have been suggested by people with spinal cord injury and health care professionals Education and implementation programs for health care professionals and people with spinal cord injury are now necessary to increase the awareness about functional electrical stimulation application Reduction of FES cost could also increase its uptake in spinal cord injury clinical services [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assistive technology is the products and services used by individuals with functional limitations to enable participation in society and realisation of rights afforded by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Assistive Product List is a comprehensive list of products identified as essential for access through universal health coverage. Key stakeholders, including organisations of persons with disabilities, civil service organisations, academic organisations and government ministries are collaborating to integrate assistive technology into policy and develop a priority assistive products list for Malawi. To understand the organisational characteristics of, and assistive products provided by, key stakeholders working in AT in Malawi. Online survey of representatives from key stakeholder organisations. We surveyed representatives of key stakeholder organisations to gather information regarding assistive technology product and service provision in Malawi. Responses were analysed using counts for closed-ended questions, and conventional content analysis for open-ended questions. A total of 36 of the 50 APL products were provided by eight organisations. Related services were provided for 36 of the 50 APL products by twelve organisations. Five organisations reported providing both products and services. Products and services are largely funded by donation and provided free to those who require them. A range of organisations in Malawi play a role in assistive product delivery and related services. Coordinated AP delivery and service provision is required at a national level which is sustainable and inclusive, and is based on identified needs of the Malawian population. Policies supporting assistive product and service provision must acknowledge the contextual needs of the communities where they are implemented. Coordination is required for assistive product and service provision at the national and subnational level. Existing and potential gaps in service provision must be addressed when implementing a national assistive products list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of students with disabilities are accessing higher education each year, yet little is known about their assistive technology (AT) needs and its influence on relevant outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine met/unmet AT needs on educational engagement, academic self-efficacy and well-being and the impact of AT use in the areas of competence, adaptability and self-esteem for students with disabilities in higher education in Ireland. One hundred and eleven students with disabilities completed a cross-sectional online survey comprising the College Learning Effectiveness Inventory, the Student Course Engagement Questionnaire, the Self-Efficacy for Learning Form Abridged, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. AT use was found to have a positive psychosocial impact in the areas of competence, adaptability and self-esteem. Those whose AT needs were fully met scored significantly higher on academic self-efficacy, well-being, and on 4 of the 10 educational engagement subscales compared to those who had unmet AT needs. Met/unmet AT needs were not predictive of educational engagement. These findings highlight the importance of AT from both educational engagement and psychosocial perspectives for students with a wide variety of disability diagnoses. The wide-reaching benefits of AT must be considered by governmental departments when making funding allocations to disability services within higher education institutions. Students with disabilities can face many additional challenges within the higher education environment. Findings from this research show that access to appropriate assistive technology can support students' educational engagement, increase well-being and academic self-efficacy and have a positive impact in the areas of competence, adaptability and self-esteem. Disability and Assistive Technology Officers in higher education should be cognizant of both the educational and psychological benefits of assistive technology across diverse students with various disability diagnoses. Policy makers should consider the wide-reaching benefits of assistive technology when making funding allocations to higher education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop and distribute a survey to obtain information on the awareness, accessibility and funding for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services and devices within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The survey targeted three groups of people which included individuals with disabilities and their families, healthcare providers such as medical doctors and nurses and the third group included community members. Survey preparation and administration were performed online via a survey website in order to access a wide range of participants across KSA. Results revealed different awareness levels for AAC among the three groups (χ2 = 45.053, p <.001) with healthcare providers showing a higher degree of awareness compared to the remaining two groups. Moreover, AAC services and devices were found to be accessible within KSA, with no differences in obtaining AAC services and devices among different regions (χ2 = 14.204, p =.164). Although numerous AAC users were able to obtain AAC devices, they identified barriers including a lack of sufficient awareness of the importance, associated expenses, funding constraints and a lack of Arabization of AAC devices. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods allow individuals with communication difficulties to interact and socialize with those around them. The general authority of statistics in Saudi Arabia has shown that Saudi Arabia has an increased number of individuals suffering from severe to extreme communication disorders compared to other countries around the world. Consequently, the need for AAC in Saudi Arabia cannot be underestimated. This study demonstrates the importance of the awareness of AAC among different stakeholders in Saudi Arabia including AAC users, healthcare providers and community members so that individuals with communication problems can receive maximum benefit from AAC. Given that most healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia are prescribing non-tech and low-tech AAC methods indicates the importance of training on AAC for healthcare providers serving patients with communication disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To qualitatively describe and compare the expectations and experiences of living with a mobility or medical service dog among those with a physical disability or chronic condition. Materials and methods: A total of 64 participants living with a service dog and 27 on the waitlist to receive a service dog participated in a cross-sectional open-ended survey. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes. Results: A total of 101 codes were summarized into themes of Physical Benefits, Psychosocial Benefits, and Drawbacks to having a service dog. Psychosocial benefits included the human–animal relationship as well as emotional, quality of life, and social benefits. Drawbacks included service dog care, public access and education, lifestyle adjustments, and dog behaviour. While participants on the waitlist were more likely to anticipate physical benefits of having a service dog, those with a service dog largely described psychosocial benefits. Findings also suggest that some drawbacks, such as public discrimination, may be unanticipated by the waitlist. Conclusions: A comparison of expectations and experiences of service dog ownership highlights both the positive and negative aspects of the service dog–owner relationship and identifies potential aspects of having a service dog that may be unanticipated or overestimated by those on the waitlist. When asked about helpful and important aspects of having a service dog, 98% of service dog owners described the psychosocial benefits of their dog's assistance and companionship. The human–animal relationship was the most discussed psychosocial benefit from both current owners as well as those on the waitlist, demonstrating the unique strength of the service dog–owner bond in this population. Those on the waitlist to receive a service dog did not anticipate as many drawbacks as current owners described. In particular, difficulties with public access and education as well as dog behaviour were commonly experienced, but not expected, drawbacks to service dog ownership. Findings identify aspects of having a service dog that may be unanticipated or overestimated by those on the waitlist, providing rehabilitation professionals with a basis for preparing those who may be considering incorporating a service dog into their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide empirical evidence on learning barriers and facilitators in instructional science and engineering laboratory settings from a national survey on students with physical disabilities (SwD-P). Methods: A nationwide self-report survey, the Full Participation Science and Engineering Accessibility (FPSEA), was disseminated online via Qualtrics. Approximately 1200 organizations and universities across the United States were contacted through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics were primarily used for the analysis of the results. Results: Survey findings reveal that students experience a wide range of limitations to full participation in the laboratory, from entering the laboratory (25%) to being given passive roles (50%). Additionally, while 66% of respondents indicated that instructors were willing to help SwD-P participate in science and engineering (S&E) laboratories, 16.8% were not willing to do so, and 47% SwD-P felt that practices were not in place to provide accommodations. The survey also reveals a range of facilitators such as elevators, ramps, accessible course materials and peer assistance. Most respondents (74%) also indicated that peers were helpful in completing laboratory tasks. Conclusion: This survey provides empirical evidence that was previously voiced through non-empirical information in the literature. Participants cited barriers such as inappropriate accommodations and instructors' negative viewpoints, as well as gaining access to facilities even after the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These findings suggest that while ADA has lessened some barriers to SwD-P, barriers remain in using the laboratory space. The FPSEA survey fills the gap in finding barriers and facilitators to using S&E laboratories from the SwD-P's perspective. Barriers students with disabilities encounter in science and engineering (S&E) laboratory environments remain unclear. The FPSEA survey fills the gap in finding barriers and facilitators to using S&E laboratories from the SwD-P's perspective. The FPSEA survey allows former and current SwD-P to share their experiences using a postsecondary S&E instructional laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to address the development of the Full Participation Science and Engineering Accessibility (FPSEA) self-report survey that gathers experiences from students with physical disabilities (SwD-P) using a postsecondary laboratory and to evaluate the survey's stability. Methods: Survey items were generated from an extensive literature review and recommendations articulated by experts. Think-aloud sessions and content validity index (CVI) were used to determine survey content validity and help finalize survey items. Individuals with physical disabilities (n = 20) who have taken a postsecondary science or engineering laboratory course completed the survey and took it again 10–14 days apart. The test–retest reliability was assessed using Spearman Rho coefficients for Likert-scale items, Chi-square and Fisher's exact test for the dichotomous items. Missing data completely at random (MCAR) test was computed before reliability data analysis. Results: Each sub-item passed the MCAR test, indicating that the data are missing completely at random and can be imputed to perform the analysis. Reliability analysis was completed on 20 individuals. The FPSEA had good content reliability: the item-level CVI of items kept ranged from 0.86 to 1. The scale-level CVI was 0.94. Stability was demonstrated with adequate Spearman correlation ranged from 0.56 to 0.86. Conclusions: No previous survey had been developed linking SwD-P and the postsecondary science and engineering (S&E) laboratory setting prior to this work. Overall, FPSEA is reliable and stable for reporting the barriers and facilitators to use S&E laboratories from the SwD-P's perspective. The barriers students with disabilities encounter in S&E laboratory environments are largely unknown. The FPSEA survey may help identify barriers and facilitators to using S&E laboratories for SwD-P. The FPSEA Survey allows former and current SwD-P to share their experiences using a postsecondary S&E instructional laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate of how assistive cutlery design effects perception of the user. Studies regarding the usage and development of assistive cutlery have primarily focused on the ergonomics, whereas research into the aesthetics of assistive cutlery has been minimal. A method based on Canter's ''Room Inference Protocol'' from the field of environmental psychology was used to evaluate the aesthetics of the assistive cutlery. A series of images were digitally composited and a survey was deployed online, with an outcome of 562 usable responses. The results demonstrated that the female model with assistive cutlery was perceived to be less attractive, less stylish and less sporty in comparison with the male model that was utilising identical pieces of assistive cutlery. The research contributes to the existing literature in the field, complimenting the study by Torrens and Smith and validating the need for greater aesthetic consideration in addition to an ergonomically acceptable response for assistive cutlery. This in turn highlights the importance of industrial design for the context and adaptations of use, rather than just a design response given to the physical manifestation of a product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]