User perceptions of existing home access solutions and a novel home access device

Abstract

Purpose-This study aimed to evaluate end user perspectives of four existing home access solutions (HAS) and a newly designed experimental device (the ARISE).Method-A cross-sectional design was used to evaluate the ARISE prototype against other HAS. Specifically, participants trialed stairs, a ramp, a platform lift (PL), a stair glide and the ARISE, after which they completed questionnaires aimed at soliciting their perspectives of these solutions. The time taken by participants to use each HAS was also collected.Results-Five HAS design features were deemed as important by 90% of participants: ease of use, ability to use independently, reliability, safety and security. Time taken to use each HAS from fastest to slowest was: stairs, the ARISE, ramp, PL and stair glide. The ARISE prototype was rated as the first or second most preferred device by the most number of participants, followed by the PL, then the ramp.Conclusions-Results from this study provide greater understanding of user perspectives of HAS. End user feedback on a novel prototype device has provided valuable insight into its usability and function, which should not only guide future development of this device, but also provide direction for other innovations around home access.

Accessible independent housing for people with disabilities: A scoping review of promising practices, policies and interventions

“…These studies were conducted over a 20-year period, across 18 countries (i.e., Australia, Canada, China, France, Korea, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, US) (see Table 1 ). Some studies focused on specific types of disabilities such as mobility impairments [ 8 , 15 , 65 ], functional limitations [ 66 ], motor disabilities [ 67 ], spinal cord injury [ 49 , 68 ], physical disabilities [ 43 , 69 ], vision impairments [ 70 , 71 ], multiple sclerosis [ 72 ], while the remainder (and majority) of the studies included other various (unspecified) types of disabilities. Participants included people with disabilities, their families/caregivers, health care providers, architects, home builders, city planners, government decision makers and other key stakeholders involved in providing accessible housing.…”

“…Participants included people with disabilities, their families/caregivers, health care providers, architects, home builders, city planners, government decision makers and other key stakeholders involved in providing accessible housing. Among the (33/60) studies describing the gender composition of their samples, 14 involved women majority samples [ 8 , 46 , 49 , 50 , 65 , 69 , 72 – 79 ], nine had men majority samples [ 43 , 46 , 67 , 68 , 80 – 84 ] and 10 had approximately equal gender representation [ 51 , 66 , 71 , 78 , 79 , 85 – 89 ]. Among the few studies (7/60) describing the racial or ethnic composition of their samples, six included a majority of white participants [ 50 , 72 , 77 , 81 , 86 , 90 ] and one had a mixed ethnic representation [ 82 ].…”

Older People’s Needs and Opportunities for Assistive Technologies

“…This is not useful enough to guide technology developers to map their detailed products to older people. On the other hand, some research provided very narrow view of assistive technologies [3,28,32,33,[51][52][53], with only one or two specific technologies introduced.…”

“…This research aimed to identify the state of matching needs with technologies focusing on support in the home environment to support independence in everyday activities. Important technology features include ease of use, security, safety, reliability and use independency as important factors in adoption of assistive technology [3]. There is a need for greater awareness of what smart home and assistive technologies are needed to guide technology developers as well as to increase the understanding of potential users of what is available and how it might benefit them.…”

Structural modification challenges facing the implementation of inclusive education policy in public secondary schools in Tharaka-Nithi County

“…The stairs become a disabling challenge, that makes him/her not access a library located on the third floor, but this is not his/her fault, as the school favours only those who can walk (Owren and Stenhammer, 2013). The modification of a staircase into a ramp would enable a wheeled learner increase his/her participation in quality education (Mattie et al, 2015). Moreover, the model is suitable to this study since it acknowledges the inclusive education policy which mandates all learning institutions to eliminate attitudinal, environmental, institutional and financial challenges which bar learners with disabilities from accessing quality education.…”