Interdisciplinary evaluation of assistive technology

This white paper is the deliverable of work package 2.5 “Interdisciplinary evaluation protocols” (german: “Interdisziplinäre Evaluierungsprotokolle”) of the Center for Assistive Technologies Rhein-Ruhr (Zentrum Assistive Technologien Rhein-Ruhr, ZAT, see Wild-Wall et al. 2024). It addresses the evaluation of assistive technology (AT), which we define as any device, software, equipment, or system that enables people with disabilities, functional limitations or special needs to perform specific tasks. The purpose of evaluating AT is to assess, in a systematic and reproducible manner, how effectively it fulfills its intended function in close interplay with the human user(s). Because AT, by definition, interacts with people, its evaluation must account not only for technological performance but also for social and human factors. A meaningful and comprehensive evaluation therefore requires an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on the methodological toolkits of multiple disciplines and approaches.