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Aids and services for disabled people-getting the message across
1Institute for Consumer Ergonomics, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
Applied Ergonomics
|December 1, 1981
Summary
Improving information access for disabled individuals and administrators is crucial. Enhanced information quality, tailored communication, and dedicated support personnel can increase the uptake of essential aids and financial assistance for people with disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Disability Studies
- Information Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Information provision for disabled individuals and service administrators faces significant challenges.
- Administrators struggle with information overload and poor data quality, while disabled recipients encounter difficulties navigating complex systems and accessing entitlements.
- Key problem areas include underutilization of home-based aids and low uptake of financial benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the distinct information needs and challenges faced by disabled individuals and administrators.
- To explore the systemic barriers in information dissemination affecting disabled people's access to services and benefits.
- To propose solutions for improving the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of information regarding aids and financial assistance.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of information access issues for both disabled recipients and administrators.
- Examination of the current information dissemination system, including referral processes and information extraction burdens.
- Identification of specific underutilized resources like home aids and low-uptake financial benefits.
Main Results:
- Disabled individuals face systemic barriers, including being frequently referred between agencies and needing to actively seek information, compounded by functional limitations.
- Administrators are overwhelmed by the volume and variable quality of information, hindering their ability to stay current.
- Both groups experience significant difficulties with information related to aids and financial assistance, leading to underuse and low uptake rates.
Conclusions:
- Improving the quality, format, communication medium, and distribution of information is essential for both target audiences.
- Recognizing the preference for direct inquiry over self-directed research is key.
- Establishing a 'named' point of contact within Local Authorities can significantly enhance information dissemination and support for disabled individuals.