Assistive Technology for Persons with Physical Disabilities: A Literature Review

Abstract

Physical disability is defined as a person who has a limb disability, either loss of function or lack of a limb in any part of the body, including the condition of an imperfect limb which will affect his ability. In improving the quality of life of individuals with physical disabilities, Assistive Technology (AT) is used as an aid and intervention. This literature review was carried out to empirically evaluate the impact of AT on individuals with physical disabilities and will systematically synthesize key findings and highlight limitations and directions for future research. Beside that, this research is important because of our focus on providing effective assistance to individuals with physical disabilities especially childrens in achieving their education and daily living. This study is a qualitative study that uses the literature review method. This methodology will systematically analyze previous studies to identify issues related to technology involved in the lives of individuals with physical disabilities. The findings of this study found that there are three main themes that are closely related to assistive technology for individuals with physical disabilities, namely (1) The use of technology tools by the physically disabled, (2) Skills in using assistive technology, and (3) Obstacles and problems in the use of assistive technology. Further research on the use of technology in teaching and learning sessions for children with physical disabilities can be done to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning sessions at school.