Introducing an AT Passport: A Key to Managing Transitions Across the Lifespan
Siobhán Long1, David Banes2, Joan O'Donnell3
1Enable Ireland.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|September 7, 2017
Summary
Assistive Technology (AT) services are often inconsistent, causing gaps in user support. An AT Passport can create a lifelong record to ensure continuous access to necessary assistive technologies.
Area of Science:
- Assistive Technology
- Information and Communication Technology Access
Background:
- Service delivery for Assistive Technology (AT) is fragmented and inconsistent in the US and Europe.
- AT users face challenges accessing appropriate technologies during transitions between home, education, employment, and community settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an AT Passport as a solution for fragmented AT service delivery.
- To ensure consistent AT provision across the lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing AT service delivery models.
- Conceptualization of the AT Passport framework.
Main Results:
- Identified significant hiatuses in AT access for users.
- Proposed the AT Passport as a viable tool for lifelong AT support.
Conclusions:
- An AT Passport can provide a unified record of AT needs and usage.
- This can mitigate service gaps and improve AT accessibility throughout a user's life.
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