Assistive Technologies: Principles & Practice, 5th Edition

Abstract

This is the fifth edition of a comprehensive textbook on Assistive Technologies (ATs) and their clinical applications. Assistive technology is defined as ‘any product, instrument, equipment, or technology adapted or specially designed for improving the functioning of a disabled person’ (WHO, 2001). The three editors are eminent academics, from Canada and Portugal, in the fields of communication sciences, occupational therapy and robotics engineering. Their goal is to ‘help the reader apply a person-centred process for both research and development, and service delivery of AT’.The book is structured in two main parts. The first part examines the principles that underpin the use of ATs, namely patient-centeredness, enablement as an outcome, evidence-informed process, ethical delivery and sustainability. The second part focuses on specific applications of ATs in the areas of communication, cognition, mobility, manipulation and vision. The primary focus of the second part of this book is on the clinical application of ATs, which involves identifying the need for AT, determining the most appropriate device, obtaining the device and evaluating the outcome to ensure the usability. AT is viewed as an enabler for a human performing an activity in context, ensuring that the technology adapts to meet to the needs of the person rather than vice versa.