Autonomy Benefits and Risks of Assistive Technologies for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Adoption of new transportation assistive technologies by people with mild intellectual disabilities

PURPOSE

Although numerous technology-based assistive devices are available for use by people with intellectual disabilities, device adoption rates of are often low. The current research examined reasons for non-adoption among two samples of people with mild intellectual disabilities focusing on transportation: an area of great concern for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The influences on adoption or non-adoption of the perceived benefits of assistive devices were assessed together with the effects of device complexity, transportation self-efficacy, desire for self-determination regarding transport, technophobia, and the desire to be seen to "fit in" with wider society when wearing a device.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Interviews were conducted with 44 people attending a support venue in southwest London. Outcomes to the interviews were employed in the formation of a questionnaire distributed to a wider national sample of people with mild intellectual disabilities. Interview and survey questions were created using Tourangeau's investigation method. Responses to the survey were subjected to a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Technophobia, transportation self-efficacy and desires for self-determination and to "fit-in" exerted powerful impacts on device adoption. Campaigns and activities designed to increase adoption rates need to recognise these important influences.

Assistive technology for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States in Home- and Community-Based Services

PURPOSE

Unmet needs for assistive technology (AT) contribute to health and quality of life disparities among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) [1-4]. The biggest barrier people with IDD face accessing technology is affordability and a lack of funding [1,3-6]. The purpose of this study was to examine how AT were provided to people with IDD in Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in the United States, the largest funding source for Long-Term Services and Supports for people with IDD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analysed Medicaid HCBS 1915(c) waivers for people with IDD from across the USA in fiscal year (FY) 2021 using content analysis and descriptive statistics.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

In FY2021, 31 states and the District of Columbia provided AT (stand-alone and combined services) through 68 waivers for people with IDD to improve functioning, communication, independence, and community integration. In total, $63.3 million was projected for the AT services for 23,753 people with IDD. Average spending per person on AT services was $2,663. We found significant variability in terms of how states allocated AT to people with IDD in their HCBS programs. Not only were less than 3% of people with IDD with HCBS projected to receive assistive technology services, there was also large variance across services and states. Assistive technology promotes the health, safety, quality of life, independence, and community integration of people with IDD - they align with the very aims of HCBS, and thus, should be expanded.

Machine-Learning-Aided Self-Powered Assistive Physical Therapy Devices

An expanding elderly population and people with disabilities pose considerable challenges to the current healthcare system. As a practical technology that integrates systems and services, assistive physical therapy devices are essential to maintain or to improve an individual's functioning and independence, thus promoting their well-being. Given technological advancements, core components of self-powered sensors and optimized machine-learning algorithms will play innovative roles in providing assistive services for unmet global needs. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of the latest developments in machine-learning-aided assistive physical therapy devices based on emerging self-powered sensing systems and a discussion of the challenges and opportunities in this field.

Perceptions of Assistive Technology by Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments in Jordan

Introduction:

Ethical practices and technology are current trends in education for individuals with disabilities. This study investigates the perceptions of assistive technology expressed by teachers of students with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision) in Jordan.

Methods:

The research involved 20 teachers. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and analysis carried out via the constant-comparative method.

Results:

The results highlight the challenges that teachers perceive in using assistive technology with their students, particularly regarding computer use, the willingness of a child to use a particular device, the lack of such technologies in schools and in the home, and a lack of training in the home. The results highlight perceived external barriers to the effective use of assistive technology, including those related to finance, training, societal attitudes, and family support. It appears that assistive technology can also have negative effects, which can be considered an ethical issue, since such technologies can expose students with visual impairments to negative community attitudes, addiction, bullying, abuse, and extremism.

Discussion:

Teachers highlight the issues they experience in using assistive technology with students with visual impairments in Jordan, which can be explained by the contextual conditions in the country.

Implications for practitioners:

Decision-makers in the field of visual impairment need to consider these issues through providing professional development, addressing financial barriers, and conducting awareness programs for students regarding the effective use of assistive technology.

Assistive Technology and Software to Support Accessibility

Since the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), efforts have been made to increase access to public services, businesses, education, and public spaces for all members of the community. However, digital accessibility to information online is regularly an afterthought or applied retroactively, rather than a standard consideration integrated into the creation, instruction, and dissemination of information resources. Libraries can serve as advocates for increasing digital accessibility to information resources. This column will investigate what technologies are currently being utilized for digital accessibility, discuss concerns related to digital accessibility, and consider methods for libraries to become more involved with supporting and integrating digital accessibility into online library services.