Enabling appropriate personnel skill-mix for progressive realization of equitable access to assistive technology
Journal article, 2018
Background and Methods: This paper reviews the current capacity of personnel in enabling access to assistive technology (AT) as well as the systems and processes within which they work, and was reviewed, discussed, and refined during and following the Global Research, Innovation, and Education in Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit. Findings: Key concepts addressed include a person-centred team approach; sustainability indicators to monitor, measure, and respond to needs for service design and delivery; education, research, and training for competent practice, using the six rehab-workforce challenges framework; and credentialing frameworks. We propose development of a competence framework and associated education and training programs, and development and implementation of a certification framework for AT personnel. Conclusions: There is a resolve to address the challenges faced by People globally to access assistive technology. Context specific needs assessment is required to understand the AT Personnel landscape, to shape and strengthen credentialing frameworks through competencies and certification, acknowledging both general and specific skill mix requirements.Implications for Rehabilitation Personnel in assistive technology (AT) provision should be trained using a person-centred team approach, which emphasizes appropriate skill-mix to address multiple needs within the community. Sustainability indicators should be used which allow personnel to monitor, measure and respond to needs for service design and delivery. A competence framework with associated education and training program, coupled with the development and implementation of a certification framework for AT personnel needs, will promote quality in AT personnel training globally.
assistive products
self-help devices
assistive technology
human resources
Personnel
skill mix
Author
Emma M. Smith
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Rosemary Joan Gowran
University of Limerick
University of the Sunshine Coast
Hasheem Mannan
University College Dublin
Brian Donnelly
CECOPS
Liliana Alvarez
Western University
Diane Bell
World Health Organization (WHO)
Silvana Contepomi
Argentine Assistive Technology Association (AATA)
Liezel Ennion
University of the Western Cape
Evert Jan Hoogerwerf
AIAS Bologna Onlus
Tracey Howe
Cochrane Global Ageing
Yih Kuen Jan
University of Illinois
Jeanne Kagwiza
University of Rwanda
Natasha Layton
Swinburne University of Technology
Ritchard Ledgerd
World Federation of Occupational Therapists
Malcolm MacLachlan
Maynooth University
Giulia Oggero
World Health Organization (WHO)
Cecilia Pettersson
Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Design
Thais Pousada
University of A Coruña
Elsje Scheffler
Stellenbosch University
Sam Wu
Geisinger Health System
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology
17483107 (ISSN) 17483115 (eISSN)
Vol. 13 5 445-453Subject Categories
Interaction Technologies
Information Science
Information Systemes, Social aspects
DOI
10.1080/17483107.2018.1470683