http://informahealthcare.com/idt ISSN 1748-3107 print/ISSN 1748-3115 online Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol, 2014; 9(5): 421–431 ! 2014 Informa UK Ltd. DOI: 10.3109/17483107.2014.900574 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Getting it ‘‘right’’: how collaborative relationships between people with disabilities and professionals can lead to the acquisition of needed assistive technology Patricia Johnston 1 , Leanne M. Currie 2 , Donna Drynan 3 , Tim Stainton 1 , and Lyn Jongbloed 3 1 School of Social Work, 2 School of Nursing, and 3 Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a consumer-led equipment and device program [Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI) in British Columbia, Canada] from the perspective of program participants. The importance of collaborative assessments for obtaining the right assistive technology (AT) for meeting an individual’s needs is discussed in light of the program’s participant-centered ‘‘Participation Model’’, or philosophy by which the program is structured. Method: A cross-sectional survey with participants and semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants (18 years) who held a range of disabilities. The survey asked participants to rank their AT and to identify the method by which they obtained the technology [by self, prescribed by a health professional or collaborative (self and professional)]. Interviews addressed participants’ opinions about obtaining and using AT. Results: In total, 357 people responded to the survey (17% response rate) and 16 people participated in the interviews. The highest ranking AT was assigned to devices assessed via a collaborative method (self ¼ 31%, practitioner ¼ 26%, collabora- tive ¼ 43%;  2 (16, 180) ¼ 39.604, p50.001). Conclusions: Shared decision-making between health professionals and people with disabilities within the assessment process for assistive technology leads to what participants perceive as the right AT. ä Implications for Rehabilitation  Collaborative decision-making can lead to the selection of assistive technology that is considered needed and right for the individual.  Person-centered philosophy associated with assistive technology assessment is contributing to attaining ‘‘the right’’ AT. Keywords Abandonment, assessment, assistive technology, client-centered, consumer-driven, disability services, equipment, participation History Received 14 November 2013 Revised 25 February 2014 Accepted 28 February 2014 Published online 21 March 2014 Introduction People with disabilities may require assistive devices, technology and equipment to participate in employment, social and commu- nity activities that are important to them. These devices may support individuals with communication, vision and mobility needs. Although assistive devices are a key priority for individuals with disabilities, there continues to be a high level of unmet need in terms of accessing such assistive equipment [1,2]. This article describes the evaluation of equipment and assistive devices program in British Columbia, Canada, referred to as the Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI), which operates from a consumer-driven model for the selection of assistive technology. The EATI program places no restrictions on what equipment can be obtained and provides opportunities for people with disabilities to self-assess and select the assistive technology they believe will help them to overcome func- tional barriers to employment. This article describes EATI’s ‘‘Participation Model’’, the philosophy of using self-assessment and the degree to which program participants obtained what they believed to be the assistive technology they needed. The Model was further explored through an examination of the disuse (or abandonment) of assistive technology. Assistive technology usage Assistive technology (AT) can be any item, device or equipment intended to help someone overcome a functional barrier. AT can include generic or ‘‘universal design’’ devices or equipment that offers specific utility to people with disabilities as well as devices designed or custom built for an individual’s particular needs [3]. AT may be either low-tech (mechanical) or high-tech (electromechanical or computerized) and include equipment to ‘‘compensate for sensory function losses by providing the means to move, speak, read, hear, and manage self-care tasks’’ [4, p. 439]. AT is intended to facilitate participation in society for people with disabilities [5, p. 18]. Address for correspondence: Patricia Johnston, PhD Student, School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, 2050 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada. E-mail: patriciajohnston@live.ca Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of British Columbia on 01/03/15 For personal use only.