Getting it “right”: how collaborative relationships between people with disabilities and professionals can lead to the acquisition of needed assistive technology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a consumer-led equipment and device program [Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI) in British Columbia, Canada] from the perspective of program participants. The importance of collaborative assessments for obtaining the right assistive technology (AT) for meeting an individual's needs is discussed in light of the program's participant-centered "Participation Model", or philosophy by which the program is structured. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey with participants and semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants (≥ 18 years) who held a range of disabilities. The survey asked participants to rank their AT and to identify the method by which they obtained the technology [by self, prescribed by a health professional or collaborative (self and professional)]. Interviews addressed participants' opinions about obtaining and using AT. RESULTS: In total, 357 people responded to the survey (17% response rate) and 16 people participated in the interviews. The highest ranking AT was assigned to devices assessed via a collaborative method (self = 31%, practitioner = 26%, collaborative = 43%; χ(2) (16,180) = 39.604, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Shared decision-making between health professionals and people with disabilities within the assessment process for assistive technology leads to what participants perceive as the right AT. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Collaborative decision-making can lead to the selection of assistive technology that is considered needed and right for the individual. Person-centered philosophy associated with assistive technology assessment is contributing to attaining "the right" AT.