Disrupting the world of Disability: The Next Generation of Assistive Technologies and Rehabilitation Practices

Abstract

Designing, developing and deploying assistive technologies at a scale and cost which makes them accessible to people is challenging. Traditional models of manufacturing would appear to be insufficient at helping the world's 1 billion disabled people in accessing the technologies they require. In addition, many who receive assistive technologies simply abandon them as they do not meet their needs. In this study the authors explore the changing world of design for disability. A landscape which includes the rise of the maker movement, the role of ubiquitous sensing and the changing role of the 'user' to one of designer and maker. The authors argue they are on the cusp of a revolution in healthcare provision, where the population will soon have the ability to manage their own care with systems in place for diagnosis, monitoring, individualised prescription and action/reaction. This will change the role of the clinician from that of diagnostician, gatekeeper and resource manager/deliverer to that of consultant informatics manager and overseer; perhaps only intervening to promote healthy behaviour, prevent crisis and react at flash moments.

A Human–Machine Interface Based on Eye Tracking for Controlling and Monitoring a Smart Home Using the Internet of Things

“…Although many works have been devoted to proposing new assistive technologies to improve the lives of people with disabilities [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], some studies have found that the abandonment of such technologies is quite high, reaching a rate of up to 30% [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The reasons for abandoning assistive technology are diverse, the most recurrent being that the user does not like the technology; the user is afraid to use the equipment; the user does not believe in the benefit of the device; the technology is not physically fit for the user; the price of the technology is very expensive; the user does not know how to use the equipment correctly; or the user disapproves of the equipment aesthetic factors [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Designing wearable technologies for users with disabilities: Accessibility, usability, and connectivity factors

“…Two pressing issues especially come to the forefront when it comes to the uptake of assistive technologies: (1) people often lack access to (or awareness of) the technology they need, and (2) technologies, when adopted, frequently are abandoned. 28 In a recent survey of users of the National Health Service (NHS) in Italy, it was found that of the 17% who had abandoned NHS technology, 40% had never actually used it. 29 The World Health Organization estimates that of the 70 million people who need a wheelchair, only 5-15% have access to one.…”

“…There is a changing paradigm from passive user-centered design of assistive technology, which is now standard as well as best practice, to proactive co-creation. 28 This shift engages the user of the technology in both the design and production processes increases the possibility that consumers will have an end product they are more likely to keep using. This reflects a changing paradigm in disability and design, which when combined with the rise of sensing modalities, allows for a change in the way in which disability is thought of within society.…”

Understanding independent wheelchair transfers. Perspectives from stakeholders

“…Similarly, participants in the study carried out by [17] preferred unobtrusive inputs and outputs in the interfaces for mobile computing devices, as they did not wish to add devices that will change the form factor of their power wheelchairs. This is not surprising, as many wheelchair users "wear their wheels" in the same way that amputees wear their prosthesis [18].…”