Abstract
Disabled people are excited by the potential benefits of using advanced technologies at home. However, many devices are abandoned early and lie unused. This research project aimed to explore why this happens, what the users of such technologies require, how advanced technologies can rise to the challenges of flexibility and user choice, which applications enhance independence and improve quality of life and what the barriers are to take-up and future utilization. It was found that disabled people wish to use advanced technology to increase independence in and beyond home but the cost of both mainstream and 'specialist' devices are prohibitive. The role of advanced technology should be to enhance independence and provide mainstream solutions that disabled people request, rather than designing and engineering 'specialist' expensive products. Furthermore, the application of advanced technology for use in the home should be directed by disabled people, collectively and individually.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 427-439 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Disability & Society |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- Disabled people
- Advanced technologies
- Assistive technology
- Electronic
- Design
- Engineering