My Assistive Technology Outcomes Framework: Tools for Assistive Technology Users and the Practitioners that Support Them
摘要
Which outcomes should we measure to demonstrate the transformative power of assistive technology (AT)? The answer may differ according to whether the question is being asked by an AT provider or funder; by practitioners involved with a certain type of AT such as assistive products for vision, or prosthetics; or - as represented in the World Health Organization’s People-Centred 5P Assistive Technology Model - by the person central to the AT process being the AT user themselves. This paper presents My Assistive Technology Outcomes Framework, an AT outcome measure co-produced with AT users. My Assistive Technology Outcomes Framework captures data regarding the supports, service delivery pathways and customer experience of AT users. It also measures the outcomes, costs and cost benefits, and human rights realised or not yet realised with assistive products and services. Evidence for the Framework will be reviewed and its reach across functioning areas and assistive product categories will be presented, as well as areas for future research.