created the opportunity for people with disability and their ASSISTIVE families to access mainstream technology options. The desirability and perceived social acceptance of these TECHNOLOGY mainstream options increase potential for more MUST BE integrated lives. HARNESSED Current and emerging technology offers the real potential for people with significant and permanent disability to live WITHIN AN NDIS with the level of independence or autonomy that many of TO IMPROVE us take for granted29, and could change the way OUTCOMES supported accommodation is delivered to residents. However, it should also be noted that this group may Survey results indicate experience potential barriers to assistive technology that residents of SSA uptake and ongoing use, which may include low experience a range of income, limited support available to build technology disabilities, and resulting usage and skill development, and impaired cognitive complex care needs, that communication ability28. The level of knowledge of both necessitate the timely NDIS participants and planners regarding assistive supply of customised technology needs and opportunities may influence assistive technology (AT) participants’ potential to apply assistive technology solutions. Sixty five solutions within goal setting. percent of the group had A number of the people in this study’s target group do access to mobility not have the cognitive and or communication capacity equipment and 50% to to indicate their preferences regarding assistive home automation or technology options. They may not have natural environmental control AT supports available to them to assist. provided through the SSA provider, whilst 43% had Information and resources to gain knowledge on mobility equipment and possible assistive technology solutions will need to be 13% had environmental developed and made accessible to NDIS participants control AT sourced and families. Planners will also require knowledge externally. in this area to be drawn upon during a planning Beyond the traditional AT process. This will ensure that technology is harnessed items necessary for this in useful way within an NDIS to build the social and group, such as motorised economic participation and manual wheelchairs, of people with disability and also has the real potential hoists and showering aids, to influence Scheme costs. the development of smartphone and tablet Some NDIS participants and support networks will technology has diminished require peer support, training and/or intermittent input the gap between to harness the full capability of technology supplied, specific and mainstream and avoid technology abandonment29. This should also technology28. This has be
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY MUST BE HARNESSED WITHIN AN NDIS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES Survey results indicate that residents of SSA experience a range of disabilities, and resulting complex care needs, that necessitate the timely supply of customised assistive technology (AT) solutions. Sixty five percent of the group had access to mobility equipment and 50% to home automation or environmental control AT provided through the SSA provider, whilst 43% had mobility equipment and 13% had environmental control AT sourced externally. Beyond the traditional AT items necessary for this group, such as motorised and manual wheelchairs, hoists and showering aids, the development of smartphone and tablet technology has diminished the gap between specific and mainstream technology28. This has created the opportunity for people with disability and their families to access mainstream technology options. The desirability and perceived social acceptance of these mainstream options increase potential for more integrated lives. Current and emerging technology offers the real potential for people with significant and permanent disability to live with the level of independence or autonomy that many of us take for granted29, and could change the way supported accommodation is delivered to residents. However, it should also be noted that this group may experience potential barriers to assistive technology uptake and ongoing use, which may include low income, limited support available to build technology usage and skill development, and impaired cognitive communication ability28. The level of knowledge of both NDIS participants and planners regarding assistive technology needs and opportunities may influence participants’ potential to apply assistive technology solutions within goal setting. A number of the people in this study’s target group do not have the cognitive and or communication capacity to indicate their preferences regarding assistive technology options. They may not have natural supports available to them to assist. Information and resources to gain knowledge on possible assistive technology solutions will need to be developed and made accessible to NDIS participants and families. Planners will also require knowledge in this area to be drawn upon during a planning process. This will ensure that technology is harnessed in useful way within an NDIS to build the social and economic participation of people with disability and also has the real potential to influence Scheme costs. Some NDIS participants and support networks will require peer support, training and/or intermittent input to harness the full capability of technology supplied, and avoid technology abandonment29. This should also be
Considerations-for-National-Disability-Insurance-Scheme-Design-Word,-1.94mb.docx