An alternative perspective on assistive technology: The person–environment–tool (PET) model

Abstract

The medical and social models of disability categorize people as ablebodied or disabled. In contrast, the biopsychosocial model, which forms the basis for the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), suggests a universalistic perspective on human functioning, encompassing all human beings. In this article, we argue that the artificial separation of function-enhancing technology into assistive technology (AT) and mainstream technology (MST) might be one of the barriers to a universalistic view of human functioning. Thus, an alternative view of AT is needed. The aim of this article was to construct a conceptual model to demonstrate how all human activities and participation depend on factors related to the person, environment, and tools, emphasizing a universalistic perspective on human functioning. In the person–environment–tool (PET) model, a person’s activity and participation are described as a function of factors related to the person, environment, and tool, drawing on various ICF components. Importantly, the PET model makes no distinction between people of different ability levels, between environmental modifications intended for people of different ability levels, or between different function-enhancing technologies (AT and MST). The PET model supports a universalistic view of technology use, environmental adapMcNeill tations, and variations in human functioning.