Technology--an unfulfilled promise for the handicapped

Rehabilitation engineering emphasizes the application of the physical, medical, allied health and social sciences to ameliorate the handicaps of persons with disabilities. A handicap is the consequence of a disability that interferes with a person's life goals in daily living, vocation, avocation and recreation. The degree of a handicap depends on the interaction of a disability and a particular environment as well as on the nature of the life goals of persons with a disability. Thus, technology can reduce a handicap by overcoming functional barriers, but it may increase a handicap by raising a person's life goals to a level that cannot yet technically be achieved, or if developed, effectively delivered. The design-development-production process and the special problems inherent in the development and distribution of technical devices for handicapped persons are discussed. The dependence of the service-delivery system on adequate information and effective evaluation of devices in meeting the needs of handicapped persons is critically examined. Recommendations to overcome barriers that interfere with the availability of the products of technology for persons with disabilities are presented. A description of research areas of technology for the handicapped is also presented.