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If Sustainable Developmental Goal 3 and Universal Health Coverage are to be achieved, functioning is a third health indicator which must be assessed and integrated into global health population-based metrics alongside mortality and morbidity. In this paper, we define functioning according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and present why functioning is important to measure, especially when considering the need for, and outcome of, rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT). We discuss examples of tools that measure components of functioning through clinical assessment and self-report methodologies, and present the development of a comprehensive population level tool which aligns with the ICF and combines self-report and clinical measurement methods to measure functioning and the need for rehabilitation and AT. Throughout the paper a survivor of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is given as an example to illustrate functioning according to the ICF and how access to the interventions of rehabilitation and AT might be of benefit to improve and optimise his/her functioning. We argue that the Global Health community must take action and ensure that the measurement of functioning is well established, accepted and integrated as the third health indicator following the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assistive technologies are critical to supporting the participation and engagement of persons with disabilities and others who experience functional difficulties in daily life. Assistive products have been demonstrated to be related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); however, no previous research has explored the relationship between assistive technology (AT) and the SDGs from the perspective of stakeholder organisations working in the field of AT provision. In this study, we evaluated the relevance of AT and the SDGs to achieving the organisational missions of key stakeholders in AT ecosystem in Malawi. Key stakeholders (n = 36) in the AT field in Malawi were asked to rate the relevance of AT to achieving their organisational missions, and the relevance of AT to each of the 17 SDGs on a 5-point Likert scale. Stakeholders who participated were engaged in consultative meetings with the government and an action research team as part of a larger policy development project, and represented ministries and government agencies, organisations of persons with disabilities, and local and international non-governmental organisations. AT was rated as being relevant to all of the SDGs, albeit to varying degrees, and not surprisingly to achieving AT stakeholders' organisational missions. The cross-cutting nature of the relevance of AT underscores the importance of cross-ministerial cooperation and shared leadership in provision AT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sit-to-stand is a common activity in daily life. It is difficult for the elderly and patients with lower limb disorders to complete this motion due to limb pain, muscle weakness, partial loss of motor control function, and physical defects in joints. An STS assistive device is a piece of automated medical equipment that can facilitate rehabilitation training for patients with lower limb disorders and improve their lower limb function. In this paper, we introduce a 3-DOF series type STS assistive device. First, we selected 26 healthy adults to carry out an STS transfer experiment, and we obtained the trajectory and velocity of each joint and the law of plantar pressure during STS motion. Second, based on the above kinematics and dynamics law, a 3-DOF series mechanism was designed. Through forward and inverse kinematics analysis, the relationship between the end-effector and the linear actuator was established. The trajectory planning of the end-effector was carried out according to the natural STS transfer trajectory, and the law of the linear actuator was obtained. The trajectory planning was verified by ADAMS. Finally, the Arduino controller was used to build the control system of the STS assistive device, and the prototype experiment was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A body-powered functional and cosmetically appeasing hand with moving interphalangeal joints (IPJ-Hand) was created. Function and satisfaction with the IPJ-Hand, conventional hand (CH) and functional hook (FH) in trans-radial prosthesis users were evaluated. Eight participants with trans-radial amputations were provided with three prosthetic hands and performed the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Brief Activity Measure of Upper Limb Amputees (BAM-ULA) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology QUEST). The data are shown as the median and interquartile range (IQR) due to skewed data distribution. Differences across hands were seen in NHPT with CH 57 (13.3), FH 49.5 (26.5), IPJ-H and 49 (14.8) seconds respectively. BAM-ULA, 10 (1.5), FH 10 (0.7), and IPJ-Hand 10 (1.7). QUEST scores, FH 28.5 (7.2) with the highest score, IPJ-Hand 26 (6.8), and lastly CH 25.5 (9.2). Individual participant results varied, with some participants performing better on the NHPT when using the IPJ-Hand when compared to the CH and FH. No differences between hands on the BAM-ULA were seen, and although no large differences in QUEST were observed, users performed best using IPJ-Hand. An interphalangeal joint prosthetic hand (IPJ-Hand) offers the similar function of a prosthetic hook, and the appearance of a conventional hand, but with improved dexterity. Minimal resources are needed to create the IPJ-Hand for prosthesis wearers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to update and extend an original meta-analysis which included papers published up to and including 2003 and investigated the impact of technology use on employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disability. Following on from the original meta-analysis, this study is a meta-analysis of pertinent single-subject experimental design studies conducted from 2004 to 2016 and employs the same metric methods as the original contribution. The results are generally consistent with those of the original meta-analysis, namely, applied cognitive technology effectively supports employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disability. Nevertheless, significant differences in the intervention effects were found (a) between groups of individuals with varying levels of disability, and (b) between interventions utilizing technology with and without universal design features. In line with the original contribution, applied cognitive technology seems to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to better achieve employment-related outcomes. More research is needed though to explore the impact of different types of technology on employment-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At Wake Forest University, a student who is blind enrolled in a second course in statistics. The course covered simple and multiple regression, model diagnostics, model selection, data visualization, and elementary logistic regression. These topics required that the student both interpret and produce three sets of materials: mathematical writing, computer programming, and visual displays of data. While we did find scattered resources for blind students taking mathematics courses or introductory statistics courses, we found no complete account of teaching statistical modeling to students who are blind. We also discovered some challenges in stitching together multiple partial solutions. This paper outlines our specific approach. We relied heavily on integrating the use of multiple existing technologies. Specifically, this paper will detail the extensive use of screen readers, LATEX, a modified use of R and the BrailleR package, a desktop Braille embosser, and a modified classroom approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is a large body of work focused on the development of mobility assistive devices for visually impaired (VI) people. However, none of them seems to satisfy the needs of VI people, which might suggest that these requirements have not been considered during the development process. In this sense, this study aimed to develop a novel assistive system based on the opinions provided by a group of VI persons who also participated in the performance assessment stage. Two ultrasonic sensors and one infrared sensor were combined to estimate the proximity and height of an obstacle in front of the user who acquired that information via audio messages and vibrating alerts. The proposed system was tested by twelve VI participants, who were asked to provide suggestions for improvement. Our prototype performed well indoors and achieved overall positive feedback when detecting obstacles at different heights, although it was unable to provide directional information. Future research endeavors in this field might be benefited from more collaborative participation between end-users, researchers, and institutes for VI people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assistive technologies promote participation and quality of life for people with disabilities and other functional limitations. There is a global call to develop and implement policies to improve access to assistive technologies. In response, a stakeholder led initiative in Malawi is working towards the development of such a policy. The objective of this study was to assess the existing network of stakeholders, and the strength of relationship between organizations who deliver assistive products and related services. We conducted a survey-based network analysis of assistive technology stakeholder organizations in Malawi. Stakeholders (n = 19) reported a range of connections, from no awareness to collaboration with organizations within the assistive technology network. No single organization or government ministry was most central to the network. International NGOs were less central to the network than local organizations for disabled people, service providers, and ministries. The assistive technology stakeholder network in Malawi is distributed, with a range of responsibility across a variety of stakeholders, including three government ministries. An effective assistive technology policy must engage all stakeholders and may benefit from a collective leadership approach that spans the inter-sectoral need for a cohesive assistive technology system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Digitalization and e-health have potential to generate good quality, equal health, well-being and to develop and strengthen individuals' resources with the goal of increased independence and participation in society. The implementation of welfare technology requires knowledge of digitalization, as well as an awareness of its meaning in terms of ethical principles and ethical analysis. The purpose of this study was to describe ethical analysis concerning the implementation of welfare technology, in terms of both strategies and tools, within areas of social services in a Swedish municipality. Method: We followed a working model that focused on increased knowledge and experience in the implementation of welfare technology from an ethical perspective. In the data collection were observations, a questionnaire with open-ended questions and focus group discussions used. Results: The analysis showed that when welfare technology was introduced and implemented within the area of social services in a municipality, ethical awareness resulting from the conflicts between various interests and values had to be addressed. Conclusions: The ethical analysis improved implementation of strategies and tools in terms of facts and values, and invisible underlying values to the concept of well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The BrainPort® V100 Vision Aid is a non-invasive assistive device for the blind based on sensory substitution. The device translates camera images into electrotactile stimuli delivered to the tongue. The BrainPort has recently received the CE mark and FDA approval and it is currently marketed to augment, rather than replace, the traditional assistive technologies such as the white cane or guide dog. Areas covered: In this work, we will review the functional studies performed to date with the BrainPort and we will highlight the critical factors that determine device performance, including the technology behind the BrainPort, the impediments to assessing device performance, and the impact of device training and rehabilitation. Expert commentary: The BrainPort enables blind people to perceive light, identify simple objects, recognize short words, localize simple objects, and detect motion and orientation of objects. To achieve this, proper rehabilitation and training regimes are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article discusses threats and challenges that may arise when conducting qualitative interviews with persons with language handicap or frail elderly who have difficulties providing detailed accounts of their experiences. The literature on qualitative research seems to assume that qualitative interviews of good quality consist of long, uninterrupted narratives. This ideal encompasses particular requirements to study participants. Qualitative studies including frail elderly or people with communicative handicaps may be harmed by biased samples or thin descriptions. Strategies to maximize the quality of interview data, such as larger and more varied samples, investing sufficient time to establish rapport in the interview situation, repeated interviews, specific interview techniques, and combining interviewing and participant observations are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article looks at the capability of computer-aided notetaking (CAN) technology. The first part of the article describes the use of CAN for a fifth-grade student with a profound hearing loss. The second part of the article discusses a survey among special education administrators and specialists in a northwestern state. Computer technology can make the set up and operation of CAN systems easy and inexpensive. Despite the fact that CAN systems have been available for more than a decade, many school administrators remain unaware of CAN systems.

This article presents information on some sources for the history of the education of handicapped children in England and Wales. The year 1960 saw the bicentenary of the opening of the first special school for handicapped children, and even before the first school isolated and often successful attempts at educating individual handicapped children had taken place. Since the school established in Edinburgh, Scotland by Thomas Braidwood in 1760 was for deaf children, it is appropriate that the first of the handicaps to be dealt with historically was deafness. Thomas Arnold, a Congregational Minister turned teacher of the deaf, published in 1881 "The Method of Teaching the Deaf and Dumb Speech, Lip-Reading, and Language." Within a decade it was republished by the newly-founded College of Teachers of the Deaf and Dumb under the title Education of Deaf-Mutes: A Manual for Teachers. Of the books on blind children, the best is J.M. Ritchie, Concerning the Blind, although this has its faults. Ritchie himself describes some of them. He writes in the preface that the book was twenty years in the making and written in disconnected snatches it cannot fail to be patchy and uneven.

In able-bodied sport, controversy has occasionally been caused through the adoption or introduction of sports technology. However, scant attention has specifically been paid to sport with a disability with respect to such concerns. This article therefore investigates the use of lower limb running prostheses (LLRPs) in competition by below-knee amputees. This study uses a four-phase mixed method approach to investigate the nature, use and assessment of LLRPs. The first phase conducted a statistical analysis of the sports time series data to ascertain the progression of the sport when considering the impact of sports technology. The second phase performed a stakeholder assessment of the sport using the Delphi method and provided a proposed series of guidelines for lower limb prostheses technology inclusion. The third phase assessed the behaviour of LLRPs in a competitive environment. Ultimately, the three previous phases provided information that led to the fourth phase. This phase investigated the use of a dynamic drop jump technique as an assessment strategy for further development in the future. This information would prove of intrinsic value when developing sports policy in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]