Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102085

James L. Mueller, BID, MA, User Needs Assessment, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Technologies for Persons with Disabilities, Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, 703-222-5808, jlminc@earthlink.net

Since 2002, The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Mobile Wireless Technologies for Persons with Disabilities (Wireless RERC) has been conducting a nationwide survey of the use of wireless technologies by persons with disabilities. Over 1000 responses have been received to this survey.

Among the barriers to use of wireless technologies cited in survey responses, cost has emerged as a significant barrier. However, those persons with disabilities who do use wireless technologies note that it is very important to their lives. Project staff seek to explore this finding further by providing cell phone access to survey respondents who do not currently have them and assessing the impact on quality of life of these persons through a 6-month study.

Each of 40 study participants are provided with a free cell phone and $110 of free airtime for their use. Surveys of the impact of cell phone access on their lives, based on the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART) are conducted at the beginning of the study, at 90 days, and at the conclusion of the 180-day study.

The results of this study will help pinpoint aspects of independence, mobility, occupation, social integration, and self-sufficiency where cell phones are most important. These results will be used to help wireless manufacturers and service providers to better understand and meet the needs of their customers with disabilities.

This forum will present and discuss the results of this study.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify ways in which access to cell phones impacts quality of life for persons with disabilities.
• Assess importance of cell phone access for persons with disabilities.
• Discuss ways to improve utility of wireless telecommunication technologies for persons with disabilities.

Keywords: Telecommunications, Quality of Life

Related Web page: www.wirelessrerc.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.