| 1. |
- Malinowsky, Camilla, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in the technological landscape over time : everyday technologies relevance and difficulty levels as perceived by older adults with and without cognitive impairment
- 2015
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - Stockholm : Karolinska Institutet, Dept of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society. - 1055-4181.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Everyday technology, ET (e.g. computers, TV's and vending machines) perceived as relevant and used in everyday activities change continuously. Not being able to keep up with these changes may hinder participation in activities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate stability and change in perceived relevance of ET, and in levels of perceived ET difficulty across two different occasions in time and between two similar samples of older adults with and without cognitive impairment. METHODS: Data of perceived relevance and difficulty in ET use in the samples (n= 157/118), collected with the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire (ETUQ) was investigated. RESULTS: Thirty-three (70%) of the ETs in the ETUQ significantly increased in relevance, while the perceived levels of difficulty were statistically similar in 40/47 ETs (85%) across the two time occasions. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived relevance of ET among older adults with and without cognitive impairment was indicated to increase over time, but the levels of perceived levels of difficulty of ETs did not change as much. This knowledge could be used to support and facilitate ET use in the aging population, and in general to influence society's view of older people as active users of ET in activities at home and in public spaces.
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| 2. |
- Malinowsky, Camilla, et al.
(författare)
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Everyday technologies' levels of difficulty when used by older adults with and without cognitive impairment : comparison of self-perceived versus observed difficulty estimates
- 2013
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - Stockholm : Karolinska Institutet, Dept of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society. - 1055-4181.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Older adults may have difficulties in using everyday technologies, ET, e.g. micros, computers, particularly those with cognitive impairment. To guide supportive interventions, more knowledge of how to best assess ET use is needed. OBJECTIVE: To provide new knowledge of perceived and observed levels of difficulty of ETs in older adults with and without cognitive impairment. METHODS: Two samples of older adults (n=118 and 116) with and without cognitive impairment were assessed. One was interviewed with the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire (ETUQ) about perceived difficulties in ET use. The other sample’s observed ability to manage ET was assessed with the Management of Everyday Technology (META). Data was analyzed using a Rasch measurement model and rank-ordered hierarchies of perceived and observed levels of ET difficulty were identified, correlated and examined. RESULTS: Findings demonstrated a correlation of 0.63 (p ˂.001). The upper range of both hierarchies contained more complex ETs like cell phones and computers while the lower comprised more home maintenance ETs. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived and observed levels of ET difficulty appear as similar, yet not identical constructs. In self-reports, though, ETUQ to a great extent seems to capture levels of ET difficulty. However, in clinical practice observations of actions may guide interventions, as they can identify why an ET is difficult
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| 3. |
- Patomella, Ann-Helen, et al.
(författare)
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Factors that impact the level of difficulty of everyday technology in a sample of older adults with and without cognitive impairment
- 2011
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - Stockholm : Karolinska Institutet, Dept of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society. - 1055-4181.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Everyday technologies (ET) are an important part of the environment in which we live and interact, and older adults with cognitive impairments have to be able to manage ETs in order to participate in society. The aim of the present study was to bring new insight into what makes an ET easy or difficult to use for older adults with and without cognitive impairment. Older adults with or without cognitive impairments (n=116) were observed managing 27 ETs. In order to analyze and detect variables that influenced the level of difficulty of the ETs managed, a regression analysis was used and predefined assumptions were investigated. The results revealed that ETs that were used less than once a week were more difficult to handle, as were those with a complex design. The results suggests that ETs, more specifically Information and Communication Technology, need to be designed to be more user-friendly and less complex, and older adults that wish to continue using an ET need to be frequent users. The age and gender of the user, and how long the ET had been in use did not relate to how difficult an ET was to manage.
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| 4. |
- Alwin, J, et al.
(författare)
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Health economic and process evaluation of AT interventions for persons with dementia and their relatives : A suggested assessment model
- 2007
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 19:2-3, s. 61-71
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is growing interest in assistive technology (AT) as a means of enabling participation in everyday activities for persons with dementia and their relatives. Health economic assessment of AT in dementia is of importance due to the consequences of the disease for both patients and relatives and to the high societal costs for dementia care. The aim of this article is to outline a model for assessment of AT interventions for persons with dementia. The model expands existing assessment models as it also includes evaluation of the intervention process. Methodological challenges and possibilities in making health economic assessments, including outcomes and costs, as well as process evaluation, are discussed in the article.
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| 5. |
- Alwin, Jenny, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Health economic and process evaluation of AT interventions for persons with dementia and their relatives - A suggested assessment model
- 2007
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 19:2-3, s. 61-71
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is growing interest in assistive technology (AT) as a means of enabling participation in everyday activities for persons with dementia and their relatives. Health economic assessment of AT in dementia is of importance due to the consequences of the disease for both patients and relatives and to the high societal costs for dementia care. The aim of this article is to outline a model for assessment of AT interventions for persons with dementia. The model expands existing assessment models as it also includes evaluation of the intervention process. Methodological challenges and possibilities in making health economic assessments, including outcomes and costs, as well as process evaluation, are discussed in the article. © 2007 IOS Press. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Stefan, et al.
(författare)
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Valued and received forms of support among Swedish working carers of older people : a descriptive study with focus on ICT-mediated support
- 2019
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 31:4, s. 189-202
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Working family carers are an important resource for the care of older people but can experience negativepressures without support.OBJECTIVE: This study examined the perceived value of forms of support and the level of receipt of valued forms of supportamong Swedish working carers, with a focus on information and communication technology (ICT)-mediated support.METHODS: A convenience sample (N = 129) of working carers caring for an older (> 65 years) relative completed a webbasedquestionnaire that addressed: caring characteristics; work-care conflict; and valued and received forms of support.RESULTS: Overall non-ICT forms of support were the most highly valued, while receipt of valued support was low: on averageonly 16.9% of participants who valued ICT-mediated forms of support received such support, while the figure was only slightlyhigher (23.4%) for non-ICT forms of support. Higher levels of work-care conflict were associated with higher perceived value ofsupport for 13 out of fourteen forms of support.CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that ICT-mediated and non-ICT forms of support should be regarded as complementary,while the low level of receipt of valued forms of support could indicate high levels of unmet need in working carers. Implicationsfor further research and policy on working carers are considered.
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| 7. |
- Anttila, Heidi, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of evidence of assistive technology interventions for people with disability : An overview of systematic reviews
- 2012
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 24:1, s. 9-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This overview summarizes the available evidence from systematic reviews of outcomes studies on various assistive technologies (AT) for persons with disabilities. Systematic reviews published between January 2000 and April 2010 were identified by comprehensive literature searches. Study selection, data extraction and methodological quality evaluation were done by two authors independently. The quality of evidence was summarized by explicit methods. Types of disabilities, settings, and AT interventions were recorded. Outcomes were mapped according to the Taxonomy of Assistive Technology Device Outcomes. Forty-four systematic reviews were included in this overview. High-quality evidence was found in single AT (positive effects of providing AT in connection with home assessment and hearing aids, no effects of hip protectors) for limited populations (older people at home, people with hearing loss, and older people in institutional care, respectively). Low-quality or unclear evidence was found for the effectiveness of the other evaluated AT interventions. Current gaps in AT outcomes research were identified. Many frequently used devices have not been systematically reviewed. Well-designed outcomes research to inform clinical decision-making is urgently needed. The systematic review methodology seems to be feasible for summarising AT outcomes research, but methodological development for grading and for primary studies is warranted.
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| 8. |
- Bergström, Aileen L., et al.
(författare)
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An integrative review of information and communication technology based support interventions for carers of home dwelling older people
- 2017
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 29:1-2, s. 1-14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND A growing number of studies of informal carers of older people reveal positive results concerning support via Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Systematic examination of factors that have a potential impact on carer outcomes are needed to inform future research.OBJECTIVE To explore studies concerning ICT support of adult carers of older people and to identify study characteristics that have a potential impact on carer outcomes.METHODS This integrative review includes 123 studies published since 2005. Fundamental questions for designing sensitive support interventions; ‘who, what, and how’ were applied to a synthesis of the results.RESULTS Identified characteristics from the studies responding to the who question included variables of the carers, such as their relationship with the care recipient or their ethnicity. Characteristics related to the what question related to the types of interventions, and the how question concerned the different services or programs offered, the idiosyncratic needs of the carers, and the types of technologies used.CONCLUSION Results are discussed according to micro, meso and macro levels of analysis. This extensive review can inform future studies and highlight the evidence in the area for decision makers, practitioners and/or NGOs working with innovative forms of support for carers of older people
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| 9. |
- Beskow, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Visualization of speech and audio for hearing-impaired persons
- 2008
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 20:2, s. 97-107
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Speech and sounds are important sources of information in our everyday lives for communication with our environment, be it interacting with fellow humans or directing our attention to technical devices with sound signals. For hearing impaired persons this acoustic information must be supplemented or even replaced by cues using other senses. We believe that the most natural modality to use is the visual, since speech is fundamentally audiovisual and these two modalities are complementary. We are hence exploring how different visualization methods for speech and audio signals may support hearing impaired persons. The goal in this line of research is to allow the growing number of hearing impaired persons, children as well as the middle-aged and elderly, equal participation in communication. A number of visualization techniques are proposed and exemplified with applications for hearing impaired persons.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Brodin, Jane M., et al.
(författare)
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Are computers the solution to support development in children in need of special support?
- 2004
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 16:3, s. 137-145
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article is based on several studies conducted in the ICT field focussing on children with severe disabilities and their computer use. Topics of interest include how computers are used by children in general, and especially by children with severe disabilities. How effective is technology as support for child development and in daily activities? The main focus is on play and communication/social interaction for child development. The key question is if and how computers are the solution to support development in children in need of special support.
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| 13. |
- Brodin, Jane, 1942-, et al.
(författare)
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Using New Technology in Communication for People with Speech and Language Disabilities in Sweden
- 1993
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 2:2, s. 63-70
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article presents the results of a survey of outcomes and insights obtained, and of research in progress, within the area of new technology in communication for people with speech and language disabilities. The purpose is to give an overview of what has been achieved in the telecommunication area for speech-impaired people. The systematic study of the use of telecommunication by people with disabilities is a relatively young field, and only limited studies have as yet been conducted. In this article the focus is on telecommunication for people with speech and language disabilities, specifically, remote communication, visual communication, graphics-based remote communication, and picture communication. Full participation in society and social life depends on an ability to be in contact with other people. Telecommunication can provide opportunities for participation and equality for all citizens. In the future, different telecommunication modes will be accessible to persons with disabilities, and telecommunication will be a natural part of daily living for all.
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| 14. |
- Buchholz, Margret, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Remote communication for people with disabilities: Support persons’ views on benefits, challenges, and suggestions for technology development
- 2020
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 32:2, s. 69-80
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Being able to communicate through digital channels is a prerequisite for participation in contemporary society. People with communicative and cognitive disabilities (CCDs) face challenges in this area, thus often being excluded from participating fully in society. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study focuses on aspects of technology that facilitate or impede remote communication in people with CCDs. METHODS: Support persons for people with CCDs (N= 21) participated in five focus groups to discuss this topic. RESULTS: Data analysis yielded two themes: using standard technology and using assistive technology. Each theme encompasses categories describing aspects and functions of technology that facilitated or impeded remote communication. The support persons felt that standard and assistive technology needed possibilities for personalization for ease and accessibility. There is a need for increased compatibility between assistive and standard technology and between platforms. Remote communication technology must be made more accessible and easier to use for both people with CCDs and those in their networks. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides an overview and illustrative examples of how technology can enhance or hinder remote communication. We offer suggestions on how technology can be developed to meet the specific needs of people with CCDs and simplify remote communication for them.
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| 15. |
- Buchholz, Margret, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Text messaging with pictures and speech synthesis for adolescents and adults with cognitive and communicative disabilities – professionals’ views about user satisfaction and participation.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 25:2, s. 87-98
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Complex communication needs and problems with accessibility may restrict people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to communicate on the phone. New technology is promising. People with limited skills in reading and writing can communicate on the phone by using symbols representing words or phrases. METHODS: This interview study examines professionals' views of satisfaction, participation and involvement in daily life in seven individuals with cognitive and communicative disabilities who tried text messaging with picture symbols and speech synthesis in smartphones. The users' experiences of text-messaging are reported elsewhere. RESULTS: The results suggest that texting with picture symbols and speech can increase independence and participation in adults with cognitive and communicative disabilities. Results also point to the necessity of individual assessments. Important factors for user satisfaction include products which can be adapted according to the individual's needs. Speech synthesis, user friendly lay-out and functions making devices easy to handle are necessary. CONCLUSIONS: This study is promising and informative for professionals working with communication technology. It supports enabling of texting today as well as future development of smartphone applications for persons with cognitive and communicative disabilities.
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| 16. |
- Edlund, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
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Family caregivers' conceptions of usage and information of products, technology and Web-based services. : -
- 2011
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Ingår i: Technology and disability. - Amsterdam, Netherlands : IOS Press. - 1055-4181. ; 23:4, s. 205-214
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to identify and characterize family caregivers' conceptions of usage of and information on products, technology, and Web-based services when caring at home for next of kin aged over 65 years. A phenomenographic method with semi-structured interviews with ten family caregivers was used. The results show that the family caregivers considerd products and technology to be essential for an active life, and they stressed both facilitators for and hindrances to their optimal usage. The family caregivers apprehended a lack of information regarding products, technology and Web-based services, and additionally showed limited interest in using Web-based services. There is a need for better information about existing availability and for improvement in follow-up regarding prescriptions given. Therefore, it is necessary to involve family caregivers in the prescription and decision process in line with their wishes, since this to a highly degree influences their possibility to take care of their next of kin at home.
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| 17. |
- Flodin, Eva, 1961-
(författare)
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Interactive Design - The desire for autonomous upright mobility : A longitudinal case study
- 2007
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - Amsterdam : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 19:4, s. 213-224
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- When a child is born with a motor disability, making it difficult or impossible to acquire independent locomotion, a challenging task is to find assistive compensating technology. This study addresses the motor needs of a child, Hanna, with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA II). She participated in the development of her assistive technology, with a focus on her independent locomotion and posture, during her infancy, childhood and early teens in a longitudinal and interactive design project. From the very beginning, she expressed a strong attraction to autonomous upright mobility, in contrast to the more common sitting posture in a wheelchair. She has used different versions of the resulting powered walking aid ever since. The upright independent locomotion it has afforded has been of major importance for her self-image, independence and physical development. © 2007 IOS Press. All rights reserved.
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| 18. |
- Gerdtman, Christer, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
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A gyro sensor based computer mouse with a USB interface : A technical aid for motor-disabled people
- 2012
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Ingår i: Technology and disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181. ; 24:2, s. 117-127
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to develop an alternative computer mouse for disabled persons. The mouse developed is a flexible input device with a multi-click function, which can be attached to a selectable body part (eg head, arm, foot). The mouse has a MEMS-gyroscope as the motion sensor, which is both small and sensitive. A USB-interface with a HID-profile is used to make the installation easy, "plug & play", and to make it compatible for use on any modern computer, independent of the operating system (Windows, Linux, Mac etc.). The structure is modular to achieve a flexible functionality. The mouse has individually adapted click-functions with selectable click devices, in addition to which, it is possible to define individual settings of the mouse parameters. The functionality can be extended by adding further personal settings, thereby programming the mouse for individual optimal performance. The result is a reliable and useful computer mouse for people with disabilities. In the development process, 23 users have been interviewed, three of whom participated in a 6 month long-term test. The study shows that a computer mouse incorporating a MEMS-gyroscope is a good, flexible solution, providing a high performance technical aid with extremely good sensitivity at a modest cost.
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| 19. |
- Granlund, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Assistive technology for cognitive disability
- 1995
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 4:3-4, s. 205-214
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The advanced technology of today's society is challenging for persons with disabilities. One way to handle these challenges is assistive technology, such as powered wheelchairs for persons with motor disability or synthetic speech for persons with communication disability. The use of assistive technology has been minimal for a large group of persons with disabilities, namely persons with cognitive disability. This is probably due to the fact that cognitive disability is more difficult to observe and measure than other disabilities, like motor disability. The handicapping consequences of the disability on the person-environment interaction cannot be directly observed and therefore must be deduced from behavior in task-analysis. Thus, unlike observable disabilities, the need for assistive technology is not self-evident in persons with cognitive disabilities. This paper describes a model for developing assistive technology for cognitive disability, illustrated by a case study. The model was developed in the MENTEK project, sponsored by the Swedish Handicap Institute. The model is based on the international classification of impairments, disabilities, and handicaps (ICIDH) and stresses the importance of differentiating between cognitive impairment, cognitive disability and cognitive handicap. Assistive technology can be used either to minimize the disability with the help of a cognitive aid, like a device for understanding the passage of time, or to minimize the handicapping consequences of the disability in a specific context, like a computerized cash-register helping a person to handle money in a coffee-shop.
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| 20. |
- Gunnarsson, Celie, et al.
(författare)
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Automation of audio descriptions of large bar charts for persons with visual impairment – prototyping and proof of concept
- 2018
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; , s. 53-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for accessing graphs non-visually are based on giving access to underlying tabular data and reading the values one by one. When data sets are large, it becomes impossible to get an overview.OBJECTIVE: This work presents a proof-of-concept of automated audio description of data sets up to 100 data points that can be used by persons with visual impairment or persons who for other reasons are unable to use their visual attention for data access.METHODS: A pilot study was conducted to elicit guidelines for oral chart descriptions, after which lo-fi and hi-fi prototypes were designed. Visually impaired and sighted users were involved throughout the process.RESULTS: The pilot study pinpointed important issues of oral chart descriptions and provided input for a lo-fi-prototype with three variants. The lo-fi-prototype singled out the most successful way of describing the charts based on which a hi-fi prototype for large data sets was created and tested.CONCLUSIONS: The results of the hi-fi tests are promising. Participants listened 1-2 times to the descriptions and were able to discuss details in the data. Thus, the initial guidelines and the following design process provided the necessary information to create a successful proof-of-concept.
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| 21. |
- Götherström, Ulla-Christel, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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A comparative study of text telephone and videophone relay services
- 2004
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 16:2, s. 101-109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the study was to compare text telephone relay service and videophone relay service. The target group was people borne deaf. The following aspects were investigated: (1) socioeconomic costs, (2) costs of different actors, (3) qualitative aspects of the services, (4) outcomes (intermediate effects and quality of life). The study was longitudinal and measurements were made at three occasions. Data collection was made by post-mailed questionnaires. Of the 41 respondents, 16 persons had access to the text telephone relay service only and 25 persons had access to text telephone relay service supplemented with videophone relay service. The ratings of the quality of the services and the outcomes were significantly higher for videophone relay service than for text telephone relay service (at a 95%-level). The incremental cost was approximately SEK 40 000, or EUR 4 510 (1 EUR = 8.87 SEK, as of 31 December 2000) higher per person and year for the group with access to both text telephone relay service and videophone relay service compared with the group with access to text telephone relay service only.
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| 22. |
- Götherström, Ulla-Christel, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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A socioeconomic model for evaluation of postal and telecommunication services for disabled persons
- 2004
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 16:2, s. 91-99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency provides services in the postal and telecommunication area for disabled persons. The text telephone relay service, videophone relay service, free directory enquiries and extended rural postal service are aimed for various groups of persons with disabilities. The aim of this study was to develop a socioeconomic model for assessing such telecommunication services for disabled persons. The model development included the WHO Classification ICIDH-2 and ICF, literature review, reference panel opinions, expert opinions and pilot studies. The developed model encompasses quality of the services, costs and outcomes. The quality of the services refers to quality in structure and process. Costs for different actors are included, e.g. the user, family members, county councils, local authorities and the government. Outcomes of the services refer to intermediate outcomes (direct communicative outcomes) and generic outcomes (quality of life). The socioeconomic model is general and is applicable to different rehabilitation interventions.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Häggblom Kronlöf, Greta, 1961, et al.
(författare)
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Elderly women's way of relating to assistive devices.
- 1999
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 10:3, s. 161-169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of this study was to describe how elderly users of assistive devices perceive and relate to their assistive devices in occupational performance. Study design.The research approach used was phenomenography, which endeavours to describe different ways of peoples experience. Result.User attitude is described as: the assistive devices are well incorporated; the elderly are forced to accept; the necessity of using the device gives the feeling of inadequacy. Accommodation to the use of assistive devices in daily activities are described as: modification and resignation. The Support of assistive device is perceived in three different ways; external safety, internal security and respect. Conclusion. Elderly women's experience of what it is like to rely on an artificial device is important when planing for support. The main feature that appears is an endeavour to gain control of, or a feeling of being able to take control of, one's occupational performance
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| 25. |
- Keijer, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Work life, new technology and employment of disabled people : A twenty year programme
- 2012
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 24:3, s. 211-218
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A development programme was carried out by the Swedish government and the Swedish Labour Market Board (AF) over a period of more than twenty years. The paper describes a case history of a single national programme. Some significant conclusions from it are given. The rationale for the effort was the advent of micro-computers in the early 1980s and the ICT development in general. It was realised that people with disabilities would struggle in the job market if active measures were not taken. Within the AF expertise on different impairments and functional disorder was employed, often highly-skilled with many years of experience of helping people with workplace adaptations. In five years some 4000 jobs for disabled jobseekers were established by applying public procurement, partly on a pre-competitive basis. After these first five years the programme was regularised but still only as a development tool for another fifteen years, with a yearly budget of 0,5-1,0 M\psfig{figure=eur.eps,width=1.9mm}. The ICT technology offered successively a range of generative options, often pre-empting application to solutions beneficial for people having a variety of functional difficulties in their jobs. The projects were intended to include a potential to result in products or services on the open market. If new technology could be transferred into regular business, it would benefit the chief target groups and their procurers in the long run. One success case was Comfort Audio AB. The company was started in 1994 by two young entrepreneurs. Fifteen years later it employs some 60 people and finds its market all over the world with its cutting edge technology for hearing impaired persons.
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| 26. |
- Krantz, Oskar, et al.
(författare)
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Prescribers’ experience of active wheelchair provisioning in Sweden : Analysis of a postal questionnaire
- 2011
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : BIOS Scientific Publishers. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 23:4, s. 191-204
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The experience of prescription of active rigid-frame ultra light-weight wheelchairs was reported, using data on 278 prescribers in Sweden. Data was interpreted within the theoretical framework of MPT: Matching Person and Technology. This framework contains three reciprocal components: (1) user/consumer preferences; (2) critical features of the technology; and (3) environment and psychosocial setting. A purpose of the MPT model is to identify barriers to assistive technology use. The chi2-test was used to analyse the importance of prescriber characteristics for prescribing behaviour. Prescribers with longer experience emphasised both their influence on user’s life-style and cost-related issues over wheelchair trends. Longer experience and responsibility for more users were also associated with perceived easiness of obtaining information on new products. In general, prescribers emphasised self-image, design, appearance and aesthetics. However, prescribers perceived local regulations that limit the options as one barrier. Another barrier was lack of practice due to few annual prescriptions. The major source of information was manufacturer marketing. Thus, even though prescribers may have wanted to prescribe a user-matched wheelchair, they may have lacked the possibility to do so due to: (1) lack of practice and/or specialized knowledge; and (2) narrow regulations; both pertaining to the political decisions of municipality governments.
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| 27. |
- Lidestam, Björn, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
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Mobile phone video as an aid to speech understanding for persons with hearing impairment
- 2006
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 18:3, s. 99-105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigated if a mobile video telephone may facilitate distance communication for persons with impaired hearing, and how users' speech recognition performance is associated with difficulty ratings. Ten persons with impaired hearing participated. A mobile video telephone was used to record sentences and visual-contextual cues. Sentences were presented visually, auditorily, and audiovisually, and both with and without visual-contextual cues. The results showed that audiovisual presentation modality and visual-contextual cues together significantly enhanced speech recognition, and that both audiovisual presentation modality and visual-contextual cues by themselves gave tendencies toward significance. Also, speech recognition and difficulty ratings were significantly correlated over all conditions. It was concluded that mobile video telephones may today already enhance speech recognition for individuals with impaired hearing, but for substantial effects, audiovisual synchronization needs to be improved. © 2006 IOS Press. All rights reserved.
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| 28. |
- Lindstrand, Peg, et al.
(författare)
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Parents and children view ICT
- 2004
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 16:3, s. 179-183
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This brief report discusses Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a contemporary phenomenon that can be said to change and affect our life patterns and our opportunities in many situations. A question is what experiences and needs parents and children with disabilities have and how these needs have been created. How do they experience ICT and what role does ICT have in their lives? What is included in the messages contributed by parents and children thus becomes central. The results show that certain skills learned via the computer can lead to social gains, e.g. play and communication with peers. Another result is that new technology can help the child to show his/her skills.
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| 29. |
- Lindstrand, Peg, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Parents and Children view ICT
- 2004
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181. ; :16, s. 179-183
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article deals with ICT as a contemporary phenomenon that can be said to change and affect our life patterns and our opportunities in many situations. A question is what experiences and needs parents and children with disabilites have and how these needs have been created.The results show that certain skills leaned via the computer can lead to social gains, e.g. play and communication with peers.
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| 30. |
- Lundberg, Stefan, et al.
(författare)
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The Cognitive Kitchen : Key principles and suggestions for design that includes older adults with cognitive impairments as kitchen users
- 2011
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181. ; :23, s. 29-40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to generate new knowledge as basis for the design of kitchens and kitchen products that support ageing persons with cognitive impairments in kitchen activities within the cultural context of Swedish contemporary middle class society. Existing knowledge on the issue was collected through a review of the literature on previous research and through focus group discussions with those identified as experts in the area, including persons with cognitive impairments and their kin, occupational therapists and researchers. The analysis of the existing knowledge identified three important domains of kitchenrelated activities – 1) storing, cooking and eating food, 2) socialising activities, 3) organising everyday life for oneself and the family – and four principles for design of a cognitive kitchen – a) Safety; b) Support for order and structure, c) Simplicity: easy to understand, easy to use and d) Guidance through recognition and intuition. Suggestions as to how the identified principles can be implemented to support persons with cognitive impairments in the identified domains of kitchenrelated activities were developed and presented to stakeholders in a second round of focus groups to gather their reflections. This article presents and discusses suggestions for design of a “cognitive kitchen” developed through the study.
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| 31. |
- Lundstedt, Rikard, et al.
(författare)
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Designing virtual natural environments for older adults in residential care facilities
- 2021
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 33:4, s. 305-318
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Spending time in natural environments is beneficial for mental health and cognitive function. Unfortunately, many elderly citizens, who would potentially gain from these beneficial effects, have limited or no access to natural environments. Virtual reality may provide the experience of being present in a natural environment without the need of transportation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to acquire an understanding of how residents and staff at a residential care facility may use and experience different virtual natural environments, and thus aid the design of virtual natural environments. METHODS: We used qualitative method, collecting data through interviews and observations. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Exposure to virtual natural environments provoked various emotional reactions, and promoted skill development and social interaction among participants. The staff perceived virtual natural environments as potentially useful for, for example, improving residents' anxiety. We identified several user interface improvements. CONCLUSIONS: The present study discusses how various aspects of virtual natural environments work in relation to the experience of a user and how this might affect wellbeing in older adults. These aspects may be valuable to consider in the design of virtual natural environments for use at residential care facilities.
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| 32. |
- Magnusson, Lennart, et al.
(författare)
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Partnership working: : The key to the AT-technology transfer process of the ACTION service (Assisting Carers using Telematics Interventions to meet Older people's Needs) in Sweden
- 2012
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability, Special Issue. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181. ; 24:3, s. 219-232
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ACTION (Assisting Carers using Telematics Interventions to meet Older people's Needs) stemmed from an EU-funded project (1997–2000). It is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based support service designed together with frail older people and their family carers to help empower them in their daily lives by providing access to web-based educational programmes, support from other ACTION families and dedicated care practitioners via the use of an integrated videophone system. It is currently running as a mainstream service in Borås municipality in West Sweden and as implementation projects in an additional twenty-five municipalities across Sweden. It is well recognised that there are relatively few examples of telecare projects that have successfully managed the transfer to a mainstream service. Based on our fourteen years of experience with the design and implementation of ACTION, we reflect on the major lessons learned. This paper highlights the user centred design model developed and refined during this period, including the range of methods for working in partnership with a variety of stakeholder groups at all stages of the technology transfer process of the ACTION service.
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| 33. |
- Malinowsky, Camilla, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in the technological landscape over time : Relevance and difficulty levels of everyday technologies as perceived by older adults with and without cognitive impairment
- 2015
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 27:3, s. 91-101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Everyday technology, ET (e.g. computers, TV's and vending machines) perceived as relevant and used in everyday activities change continuously. Not being able to keep up with these changes may hinder participation in activities.OBJECTIVE: To investigate stability and change in perceived relevance of ET, and in levels of perceived ET difficulty across two different occasions in time and between two similar samples of older adults with and without cognitive impairment.METHODS: Data of perceived relevance and difficulty in ET use in the samples (n = 157/118), collected with the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire (ETUQ) was investigated.RESULTS: Thirty-three (70%) of the ETs in the ETUQ significantly increased in relevance, while the perceived levels of difficulty were statistically similar in 40/47 ETs (85%) across the two time occasions.CONCLUSIONS: The perceived relevance of ET among older adults with and without cognitive impairment was indicated to increase over time, but the levels of perceived levels of difficulty of ETs did not change as much. This knowledge could be used to support and facilitate ET use in the aging population, and in general to influence society's view of older people as active users of ET in activities at home and in public spaces.
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| 34. |
- Manzoor, Mirfa, et al.
(författare)
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E-services for the social inclusion of people with disabilities : A literature review
- 2017
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 29:1-2, s. 15-33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: It is assumed that e-services support persons with disabilities in their everyday life by improving communication and interaction with healthcare organizations and whilst facilitating their social inclusion.AIM: The aim of this study is to examine the contribution of e-services in terms of how they diminish barriers and constraints on social inclusion.METHOD: A literature review was performed, covering the period between 2010 and 2016 (6 years). Only studies that discussed the social inclusion of people with disabilities or presented prototype solutions to this problem were included.RESULTS: The results of this study show that there is a lack of theoretical framework which can be used to measure the effectiveness of the e-services or innovations in the area of e-services in the contexts that were examined. The existing research studies are normally generic and do not discuss whether the requirements that are imposed on a particular e-service differ depending on (i) type of disability, (ii) the ICT-maturity or skill of the end-user, or (iii) context in which the e-service will be used. In general, previous research in this area claims that e-services do assist people with disabilities access to society (defined as the community in which they live), even when no evidence is actually presented about the impact such services have in this area of the end-user's life.CONCLUSION: The results of the present study present us with new knowledge about the types of ICT-based innovations and e-services that have been proposed to facilitate the social integration of people with disabilities.
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| 35. |
- Manzoor, Mirfa, et al.
(författare)
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From prototype to societal inclusion : Identified challenges for sustainable implementation of e-services for individuals with disabilities
- 2018
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 30:3, s. 97-103
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In recent years, the interest of performing research about and providing e-services for individuals with disabilities has grown significantly. However, there is a knowledge gap in the existing literature on how to stimulate the pre-requisites needed for a sustainable implementation of e-services.AIM AND METHOD: The study aims to contribute to this knowledge gap by performing semi-structured email interviews with twelve project coordinators from the EU programmes of FP6-IST and FP7-ICT.RESULTS: The findings showed that knowledge-based and financially based resources, the complexity of the project context, ethical issues and the structural responsibility of the implementation process were key issues in creating a sustainable implementation. Furthermore, users often were not able to perceive added value from the e-services as they seldom were developed beyond prototypes within the research project.CONCLUSION: The implementation of e-services and/or ICT based applications for individuals with disabilities face similar challenges to the challenges that have been identified when implementing IT-based innovations. Further studies should focus on how users can be involved in the choice and development of e-services they understand as effective, and how to ensure that the implementation strategy will contribute to long-term social inclusion, that is, sustainability.
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| 36. |
- Molin, Göran, et al.
(författare)
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Living at home with acquired cognitive impairment - Can assistive technology help?
- 2007
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 19:2-3, s. 91-101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper describes an ongoing project developing an innovative approach to the introduction of assistive technology to the homes of elderly people with acquired cognitive impairment in Sweden. The project is client driven with the key objective being to assist people to achieve quality of life and empowerment. The emphasis is on the processes involved and inter-agency co-operation which is shown to be of key importance. Preliminary findings are discussed and key issues for future research are identified, indicating that introduction of technology is an interdisciplinary issue.
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| 37. |
- Olander, Elin, et al.
(författare)
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‘Product Appearance, Emotions and Identity : Personal Relations with Significant Products Described by Young Adults with Disabilities’
- 2011
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Today we use products to shape our identity, by communicating to others who we are and what we want to be. Using products for communication of identity seems especially important for young adults. Persons with disabilities live with double identities. Sometimes it is important to be a person with a disability (e.g., someone in contact with health care and other welfare systems in society), while at other times, it is important to be considered like everybody else (e.g., job contacts, friends, etc). Assistive devices are rarely viewed as symbols of social status. Instead, they emphasise differences and often increase the user’s feelings of apartness. Young adults with disabilities were interviewed about their emotional relations with personally significant products: a conflict between the identity of the product and that of the user was demonstrated. This was particularly apparent in situations where the user needed to use a product which she or he did not like, in this case assistive devices. In the comments about products which elicit negative emotions, three strategies for handling the feeling of dislike were described: 1) putting up with and accepting the situation, 2) abandoning the product, and 3) changing the product or creating something new. All strategies that the interviewed persons used to manage their negativism may be prevented by and are affected by product design. One main task of an industrial designer is to create products based on the desired product identity. Changing the way the product looks, can decrease the emotional conflict between the user's desired identity and the identity of the product; in the long run, assistive devices can be created which are experienced as positive symbols rather than stigmas.
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| 38. |
- Persson, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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Can we rely on QALYs for assistive technologies?
- 2012
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - : IOS Press. - 1055-4181 .- 1878-643X. ; 24:1, s. 93-100
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In decision making on the adoption of health care programmes, assistive technologies (ATs) and AT services for people with disabilities, cost-effectiveness analysis is increasingly important. The quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), which incorporates quality of life as well as survival, has become a standard unit of comparative efficacy, although there are methodological challenges in its use. The applicability of the concept of cost per QALY gained through intervention was investigated in one study of rollators and one of hearing aids. It was shown that two widely used instruments for deriving QALYs, HUI3 and EQ-5D, yield differing results, which may also differ depending on the type of disability. Because the magnitude of these differences could affect decision makers' willingness to provide reimbursement, the variability of cost-effectiveness results due to methodology should be considered in the policy-making process.
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| 39. |
- Persson, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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Preference based assessment of the quality of life of disabled persons
- 2002
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Ingår i: Technology and disability. - Amsterdam : IOS Press. - 1055-4181. ; 14:3, s. 119-124
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A new method for assessing preference based outcome measures in rehabilitation with assistive devices is reported. The method uses a standard utility instrument, the EuroQol, with complementary items on mobility and social relationships. In addition, a problem solving scale (PIRS) is introduced. Validation has been carried out in a multicenter study of mobility, hearing and communication devices. Utilities and problem solving scores covary strongly for mobility interventions but not for those dealing with communication. So far it is not explained whether the investigated communication interventions result in moderate utility gain only, or whether there is a bias in the corresponding utility scores. Further research on this has been started. The issue of deriving utility weights for the PIRS has also been started. We recommend the described method to be used for cost-utility analyses of rehabilitation measures for disabled persons.
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
- Szymczak, Delphine, et al.
(författare)
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Dynamic multimodal drawing in school : Exploring technology support of drawing skills development in children with visual impairments
- 2019
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Ingår i: Technology and Disability. - 1055-4181. ; 31:3, s. 83-99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Technology is widely used in school to assist students with visual impairments. Drawing with traditional methods is still difficult for those users. In this paper, we present and discuss an evaluation of a haptic and sound interactive drawing program (HIPP). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify what aspects of the technological aid support the drawing skill development in children with visual impairment. METHODS: Interviews, observations and video recordings of use situations were used for data gathering. Our analysis is based on cultural-historical activity theory, and examines the mediation between the child and the object of their activity, their drawings, as well as the roles of teachers, classmates, assistants, and family. RESULTS: The haptic and audio drawing program supports the steps (doodling, interpretation, planning, and more intentional drawing) observed in visually-acquired drawing, although possible improvements have also been identified. Observations of the drawing program in use showed that its mix of dynamic multimodal interaction and a stable drawing feedback, enable visually impaired students and sighted teachers to jointly access a shared representation. CONCLUSIONS: Successful long-term use, together with the presented results of our analysis show how multimodal dynamic and stable interaction can successfully support drawing activities.
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