Technology for people with disabilities: a survey of needs

A good understanding of the needs, desires, and capabilities of individuals with disabilities is critical if rehabilitation workers are to promote optimum quality of life. This survey was undertaken to determine the needs of a population of adults with disabilities as a result of neurological trauma or disease. We looked at communication, seating, mobility, environmental control, education, and leisure. Consideration of assistive technology's role in meeting these needs was achieved by an experienced Technology Access Team comprising a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and speech pathologist in screening consenting residents. The initial needs survey identified that 37% of clients in the study had problems with verbal communication, 62% with cognition, and 52% with seating. Assessments for electric wheelchairs were required by 21.5% of clients while 30.7% had problems with hand function for accessing. Further assessment for equipment and/or training was recommended in 123 (70%) of the 163 participants. These findings have implications for management, including raising awareness of technology's benefits. There are also implications regarding staff knowledge and specialist skills required to identify needs and technological solutions. Preliminary recommendations await validation as individual's requirements are further investigated.