Providing a holistic and client-centered approach, Assistive Technologies and Environmental Interventions in Healthcare explores the individual’s needs within the environment, examines the relationship between disability and a variety of traditional and cutting-edge technologies, and presents a humanistic discussion of Technology-Environment Intervention (TEI).
Written by a multidisciplinary team of authors, this text introduces readers to a variety of conceptual practice models and the clinical reasoning perspectives. It also provides insight into how designers go about solving human-tech problems, discusses best practices for both face-to-face and virtual teams, and looks at the psychological, sociocultural, and cognitive factors behind the development and provision of assistive technologies.
- Examines a wide range of technologies and environmental interventions
- Demonstrates how a better understanding of the complexity of human interaction with both the physical and social environment can lead to better use of technology
- Explores the future of technology and research in TEI
Complete with a range of learning features such as keywords, case studies and review questions, this book is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in occupational therapy and other related health professions, as well as those undertaking certification and board examinations.
Table of Contents
List of contributors xiii
About the companion website xv
1 The person, the environment, and technology: Introduction to the human‐tech ladder 1
Lynn Gitlow and Kathleen Flecky
The person, the environment, and technology: Introduction to the human‐tech ladder 2
Models of disability 3
Assistive technology and the environment 4
Choosing the human‐tech ladder 5
Human‐tech ladder 6
Why are definitions important? 7
Defining technology 8
Defining AT 8
Environmental interventions 9
Categories of AT 11
Summary 12
References 12
2 Conceptual practice models and clinical reasoning 14
Lynn Gitlow, Douglas Rakoski, and Robert C. Ferguson
Introduction 15
What are conceptual practice models? 16
Need for conceptual practice models 17
Conceptual practice models that guide TEI 17
Clinical reasoning I 24
Clinical reasoning II 26
Summary 32
References 33
Additional resources 34
3 The design process: Solving human‐tech problems 35
Susan Camp
Part one: Asking questions, getting started 36
Part two: What is design and why should we care? 37
Part three: The design process - who can do it? 43
Part four: The design process - getting started 44
Part five: A design case study 47
Summary 49
References 52
4 Funding in the United States 54
Lewis Golinker
Introduction 55
The roles of the practitioner 55
Funding sources for assistive devices 55
Health benefits program funding for assistive devices 59
Benefits request - funding process: Four questions 59
The assistive device treatment plan 67
Summary 68
Notes 68
5 Outcomes, assessment, and research in assistive technology 71
Glenn Goodman, Jennifer Dunn, and Anne Bryden
Outcomes, assessment, and research in assistive technology 72
Conceptual models for AT Outcomes and Practice 73
Outcomes 76
AT‐specific assessment tools 77
Promising general outcome measures 79
Research designs and methods 80
Methodological research, systematic literature reviews, and critical appraisals 84
Summary 87
References 88
6 Educational organizations 92
Kirk Behnke
Introduction to educational organizations 93
Consideration of AT in the IEP 98
Results of AT consideration 100
Other considerations 101
Summary 104
References 104
7 Technology, employment, and disability: Creating a technology accessible vocational environment: Legal and organizational considerations 105
Wendy Strobel Gower and LaWanda Cook
Introduction 106
Creating an ideal technology organization 106
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 110
The ADA and reasonable accommodation 112
The accommodation process 112
Summary 115
References 115
8 Technology and environmental interventions for the home environment 117
BevVan Phillips
Technology and environmental intervention for the home environment 118
Qualifications and perspectives of home modification professionals 131
Structural aspects and technology factors 133
The human‐tech ladder and technology relevant to TEI in the home 136
Summary 138
References 139
9 Working and communicating in face‐to‐face teams 141
M. Gayl Bowser
Introduction 142
What is a team? 143
Why work in teams? 144
Elements of effective teamwork 147
Structures of AT teams 148
Contributions of individual team members 148
Team operation 149
How do collaborative AT teams function? 150
When team issues arise 152
Summary 153
References 153
Additional resources 154
10 Working and communicating in virtual teams 155
M. Gayl Bowser
Introduction 156
A day in the life of a virtual team member 156
Working and communicating in virtual teams 156
Benefits and drawbacks of virtual teamwork 158
Considerations for using virtual team strategies in client‐focused teams 159
Virtual AT teams 160
What makes virtual teams successful? 163
Summary 163
References 164
11 Technology and environmental intervention: Psychosocial considerations 167
Michèle Verdonck
Technology and environmental intervention: Psychosocial considerations 169
Psychosocial considerations and the human‐tech ladder 169
The lived experience of TEI 170
Personal fit of TEI 173
TEI to enable autonomy in occupation 175
TEI and identity 176
Take‐home messages: What does this all mean for you and the TEI user? 177
Summary 178
References 178
12 Sociocultural considerations 181
Jacquie Ripat
Introduction 182
Social constructionism 182
Sociocultural factors 183
Providing culturally relevant services 188
Summary 193
References 193
13 Technology and environmental interventions for cognition 197
Tony Gentry
Introduction 198
Cognitive impairment in everyday life 199
Matching device and user 204
Environmental and smart home adaptations 204
Mid‐tech solutions 208
High‐tech smart home solutions 208
Assuring the just‐right fit 209
References 211
14 Assistive technology to support learning differences 213
Judith Schoonover
Introduction 214
What is a learning disability? 214
Legislation and learning disabilities 216
UD: Creating accessible physical environments 217
Assistive technology 220
What a difference the environment makes: The role of environment in AT 224
Technology and environmental competencies needed for UDL implementation and assessment 231
Summary 233
References 235
15 Seating and positioning factors in wheeled mobility 239
Lindsey Veety and Amy Baxter
Introduction 240
Human factors and common conditions requiring wheeled mobility 241
Wheelchairs 247
Wheelchair seating 252
References 258
Additional resources 259
Digital reference 259
16 Positioning and mobility technology and environmental interventions other than wheeled mobility 268
Amy Baxter and Lindsey Veety
Introduction 269
Human‐tech ladder 269
Human factors and common conditions that challenge seating and positioning 270
Notes 286
References 286
Additional resources 286
17 Communication‐related factors 287
Tina N. Caswell
Introduction 288
Legal and policy influences 290
Who needs AAC? 291
AAC assessment 291
AAC intervention - psychosocial and physical levels of the human‐tech ladder 297
Summary 301
References 303
18 Hearing loss and hearing‐related factors: Technology and environmental interventions 306
Amy Rominger and Leisha R. Eiten
Introduction 308
Definitions related to hearing loss 308
Prevalence of hearing loss 308
Descriptive characteristics of hearing loss 309
Effects of hearing loss 313
The human‐tech ladder, hearing loss, and hearing‐related factors 314
Selecting assistive technology for hearing loss 317
Hearing assistance technologies 319
Assistive technology for persons not using amplification 326
TEI and the deaf population 327
Environmental modifications and communication strategies 328
Summary 329
References 329
Additional resources 331
19 Technology and environmental intervention for visual impairment 332
Stacy Smallfield
Technology and environmental intervention (TEI) for visual impairment 334
Definitions of visual impairment 334
Select eye conditions that lead to visual impairment 334
Application of the human‐tech ladder to individuals with visual impairment 336
Considerations in assessment for AT for visual impairment 339
Select TEI strategies for visual impairment 342
Non‐optical devices for reading and viewing 347
Illumination and contrast for reading and viewing 348
AT for daily activities 348
Summary 352
Acknowledgments 353
References 353
Additional resources 355
20 Technology and environmental interventions to promote community mobility 356
David Joseph Feathers
Introduction 357
Part I: Accessibility and the human-environment interactions of community participation 357
Part II: Inclusive designing and the SRK model 359
Part III: Profiles from the community 361
Part IV: Evidenced‐based design and research for community participation: Current and future needs 364
Acknowledgments 365
References 365
21 Leisure: Technology and environmental interventions 367
Nathan “Ben” Herz
Leisure defined 368
Leisure as part of a meaningful life 368
Leisure activities across the life span 369
The human‐tech ladder 371
Assessment and evaluation of leisure 373
Quality of life measures 373
Leisure‐specific assessments 373
The relationship of leisure to injury and illness 373
Role of TEI in participation 374
General leisure activities TEI strategies 374
Organized sports 374
Examples of TEI for specific sports 375
Outdoor mobility and TEI strategies 376
Digital media and TEI strategies 377
Accessibility 378
Gaming systems 378
Summary 381
References 381
22 Physical factors focused on activities of daily living (ADLs) and electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) 383
Lynn Gitlow
Introduction 384
Human‐tech ladder 385
Definitions 386
Organizational level 386
Team considerations 387
Psychological level 387
Physical level 387
Evaluation and assessment tools 388
TEI for ADLs 389
Bathing and washing 389
Bathing 390
Water for bathing 391
Hair care options 393
Caring for fingernails and toenails 393
Toileting 394
Dressing 395
Eating and drinking 396
Taking care of one’s health 399
Electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) 400
References 401
23 Implications for future practice and research in technology and environmental interventions 405
Steve Jacobs
Introduction 406
Technology’s impact on the definition of a “public accommodation”: Political and organizational levels of vicente’s human‐tech ladder 406
Assistive technology vs.“Universally‐designed” technology 408
Global public inclusive infrastructure 409
Business models that encourage accessible ICT development 416
Overview of the CSIM’s technical assistance components 418
Software distribution services 418
Accessibility value chain concept 418
Notes 419
Index 421
