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

Abstract #114527

H. Stephen Kaye, PhD¹, Patricia Yeager, MS², Tanis Doe, PhD (Deceased)², Myisha Reed, BA², and Kenneth Galea'i, PhD³. (1) Disability Statistics Center, Institute for Health & Aging, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Room 340, San Francisco, CA 94118, 415 502-7266, skaye@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, 1029 J Street, Suite 120, Sacramento, CA 95814, (3) Department of Human Services, University of Northern Colorado, Gunter 1250, Box 132, Greeley, CO 80639

Assistive technology (AT) is essential to the integration and independence of many people with disabilities. Despite prior studies of AT usage, there is little understanding of the full range of technology used, unmet need for AT, the impact of technology usage on social participation and employment, the degree of satisfaction with the technology, and problems encountered with its acquisition, usage, and financing. Preliminary findings from an ongoing survey of 1,000 users of Independent Living Centers throughout California, to be completed in mid-2005, offer surprising insights into the impact of assistive technology on the lives of people with disabilities. Information technology devices, including ordinary or adapted computers and communication devices, are by far the most common, with mobility devices second. On the positive side, an overwhelming majority of respondents report satisfaction with their technology, and that AT helps reduce social isolation. Those using AT at work report tremendous benefits from their technology, including improved productivity, increased self-esteem, and better attendance. While the largest source of AT financing is the individual and his or her family, employers pay for most work-related AT. Requests for work-related AT were denied only infrequently. Negative findings include very high unmet need for AT, mostly due to cost and failure of Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurers to provide it. Respondents with unmet need report much higher levels of social isolation than those whose AT needs are met. Finally, when asked about accessibility of health care settings, many AT users report problems, including reduced access to preventive care.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

(
• assess the extent of usage of various assistive devices among Independent Living Center clients; (
• evaluate the impact of device use on social participation and employment; (
• understand problems encountered and solutions suggested by AT users.

Keywords: Technology, Disability

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.

Recorded presentation