Affiliation:
1. University of Alberta, Canada
Abstract
First this chapter will present an overview about assistive technology (AT). Next factors identified in the literature and thought to influence AT use will be presented. The second part of the chapter will present the findings extracted from a larger three-phase study, which aimed to obtain occupational therapists’ perceptions about AT non-use. Drawing from their experiences therapists identified the client-, AT-, intervention-focused factors which they had found to influence use. Some of these factors were similar to those identified in the literature, with therapists offering additional perspectives about the role these issues actually played in affecting AT use. In addition, therapists highlighted other important factors, not previously identified as influential or which had received little attention. Overall results showed support for a client-centred approach during the provision of AT. Suggestions were made to incorporate the Matching Person with Technology (MPT) model into current practice to guide the AT provision process.
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