Providing a holistic and client-centered approach, Assistive Technologies and Environmental Interventions in Healthcare explores the individual's needs within the environment, examines the relationship between disability and a variety of traditional and cutting-edge technologies, and presents a humanistic discussion of Technology-Environment Intervention (TEI). Written by a multidisciplinary team of authors, this text introduces readers to a variety of conceptual practice models and the clinical reasoning perspectives. It also provides insight into how designers go about solving human-tech problems, discusses best practices for both face-to-face and virtual teams, and looks at the psychological, sociocultural, and cognitive factors behind the development and provision of assistive technologies. * Examines a wide range of technologies and environmental interventions * Demonstrates how a better understanding of the complexity of human interaction with both the physical and social environment can lead to better use of technology * Explores the future of technology and research in TEI Complete with a range of learning features such as keywords, case studies and review questions, this book is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in occupational therapy and other related health professions, as well as those undertaking certification and board examinations.

Lynn Gitlow is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, USA. She has practiced in the area of assistive technology for over 20 years. Kathleen Flecky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. She has been teaching and practicing in the area of community health and health promotion for 19 years.

List of contributors xiii About the companion website xv 1 The person, the environment, and technology: Introduction to the human-tech ladder 1 Lynn Gitlow and Kathleen Flecky The person, the environment, and technology: Introduction to the human-tech ladder 2 Models of disability 3 Assistive technology and the environment 4 Choosing the human-tech ladder 5 Human-tech ladder 6 Why are definitions important? 7 Defining technology 8 Defining AT 8 Environmental interventions 9 Categories of AT 11 Summary 12 References 12 2 Conceptual practice models and clinical reasoning 14 Lynn Gitlow, Douglas Rakoski, and Robert C. Ferguson Introduction 15 What are conceptual practice models? 16 Need for conceptual practice models 17 Conceptual practice models that guide TEI 17 Clinical reasoning I 24 Clinical reasoning II 26 Summary 32 References 33 Additional resources 34 3 The design process: Solving human-tech problems 35 Susan Camp Part one: Asking questions, getting started 36 Part two: What is design and why should we care? 37 Part three: The design process - who can do it? 43 Part four: The design process - getting started 44 Part five: A design case study 47 Summary 49 References 52 4 Funding in the United States 54 Lewis Golinker Introduction 55 The roles of the practitioner 55 Funding sources for assistive devices 55 Health benefits program funding for assistive devices 59 Benefits request - funding process: Four questions 59 The assistive device treatment plan 67 Summary 68 Notes 68 5 Outcomes, assessment, and research in assistive technology 71 Glenn Goodman, Jennifer Dunn, and Anne Bryden Outcomes, assessment, and research in assistive technology 72 Conceptual models for AT Outcomes and Practice 73 Outcomes 76 AT-specific assessment tools 77 Promising general outcome measures 79 Research designs and methods 80 Methodological research, systematic literature reviews, and critical appraisals 84 Summary 87 References 88 6 Educational organizations 92 Kirk Behnke Introduction to educational organizations 93 Consideration of AT in the IEP 98 Results of AT consideration 100 Other considerations 101 Summary 104 References 104 7 Technology, employment, and disability: Creating a technology accessible vocational environment: Legal and organizational considerations 105 Wendy Strobel Gower and LaWanda Cook Introduction 106 Creating an ideal technology organization 106 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 110 The ADA and reasonable accommodation 112 The accommodation process 112 Summary 115 References 115 8 Technology and environmental interventions for the home environment 117 BevVan Phillips Technology and environmental intervention for the home environment 118 Qualifications and perspectives of home modification professionals 131 Structural aspects and technology factors 133 The human-tech ladder and technology relevant to TEI in the home 136 Summary 138 References 139 9 Working and communicating in face-to-face teams 141 M. Gayl Bowser Introduction 142 What is a team? 143 Why work in teams? 144 Elements of effective teamwork 147 Structures of AT teams 148 Contributions of individual team members 148 Team operation 149 How do collaborative AT teams function? 150 When team issues arise 152 Summary 153 References 153 Additional resources 154 10 Working and communicating in virtual teams 155 M. Gayl Bowser Introduction 156 A day in the life of a virtual team member 156 Working and communicating in virtual teams 156 Benefits and drawbacks of virtual teamwork 158 Considerations for using virtual team strategies in client-focused teams 159 Virtual AT teams 160 What makes virtual teams successful? 163 Summary 163 References 164 11 Technology and environmental intervention: Psychosocial considerations 167 Michèle Verdonck Technology and environmental intervention: Psychosocial considerations 169 Psychosocial considerations and the human-tech ladder 169 The lived experience of TEI 170 Personal fit of TEI 173 TEI to enable autonomy in occupation 175 TEI and identity 176 Take-home messages: What does this all mean for you and the TEI user? 177 Summary 178 References 178 12 Sociocultural considerations 181 Jacquie Ripat Introduction 182 Social constructionism 182 Sociocultural factors 183 Providing culturally relevant services 188 Summary 193 References 193 13 Technology and environmental interventions for cognition 197 Tony Gentry Introduction 198 Cognitive impairment in everyday life 199 Matching device and user 204 Environmental and smart home adaptations 204 Mid-tech solutions 208 High-tech smart home solutions 208 Assuring the just-right fit 209 References 211 14 Assistive technology to support learning differences 213 Judith Schoonover Introduction 214 What is a learning disability? 214 Legislation and learning disabilities 216 UD: Creating accessible physical environments 217 Assistive technology 220 What a difference the environment makes: The role of environment in AT 224 Technology and environmental competencies needed for UDL implementation and assessment 231 Summary 233 References 235 15 Seating and positioning factors in wheeled mobility 239 Lindsey Veety and Amy Baxter Introduction 240 Human factors and common conditions requiring wheeled mobility 241 Wheelchairs 247 Wheelchair seating 252 References 258 Additional resources 259 Digital reference 259 16 Positioning and mobility technology and environmental interventions other than wheeled mobility 268 Amy Baxter and Lindsey Veety Introduction 269 Human-tech ladder 269 Human factors and common conditions that challenge seating and positioning 270 Notes 286 References 286 Additional resources 286 17 Communication-related factors 287 Tina N. Caswell Introduction 288 Legal and policy influences 290 Who needs AAC? 291 AAC assessment 291 AAC intervention - psychosocial and physical levels of the human-tech ladder 297 Summary 301 References 303 18 Hearing loss and hearing-related factors: Technology and environmental interventions 306 Amy Rominger and Leisha R. Eiten Introduction 308 Definitions related to hearing loss 308 Prevalence of hearing loss 308 Descriptive characteristics of hearing loss 309 Effects of hearing loss 313 The human-tech ladder, hearing loss, and hearing-related factors 314 Selecting assistive technology for hearing loss 317 Hearing assistance technologies 319 Assistive technology for persons not using amplification 326 TEI and the deaf population 327 Environmental modifications and communication strategies 328 Summary 329 References 329 Additional resources 331 19 Technology and environmental intervention for visual impairment 332 Stacy Smallfield Technology and environmental intervention (TEI) for visual impairment 334 Definitions of visual impairment 334 Select eye conditions that lead to visual impairment 334 Application of the human-tech ladder to individuals with visual impairment 336 Considerations in assessment for AT for visual impairment 339 Select TEI strategies for visual impairment 342 Non-optical devices for reading and viewing 347 Illumination and contrast for reading and viewing 348 AT for daily activities 348 Summary 352 Acknowledgments 353 References 353 Additional resources 355 20 Technology and environmental interventions to promote community mobility 356 David Joseph Feathers Introduction 357 Part I: Accessibility and the human-environment interactions of community participation 357 Part II: Inclusive designing and the SRK model 359 Part III: Profiles from the community 361 Part IV: Evidenced-based design and research for community participation: Current and future needs 364 Acknowledgments 365 References 365 21 Leisure: Technology and environmental interventions 367 Nathan "Ben" Herz Leisure defined 368 Leisure as part of a meaningful life 368 Leisure activities across the life span 369 The human-tech ladder 371 Assessment and evaluation of leisure 373 Quality of life measures 373 Leisure-specific assessments 373 The relationship of leisure to injury and illness 373 Role of TEI in participation 374 General leisure activities TEI strategies 374 Organized sports 374 Examples of TEI for specific sports 375 Outdoor mobility and TEI strategies 376 Digital media and TEI strategies 377 Accessibility 378 Gaming systems 378 Summary 381 References 381 22 Physical factors focused on activities of daily living (ADLs) and electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) 383 Lynn Gitlow Introduction 384 Human-tech ladder 385 Definitions 386 Organizational level 386 Team considerations 387 Psychological level 387 Physical level 387 Evaluation and assessment tools 388 TEI for ADLs 389 Bathing and washing 389 Bathing 390 Water for bathing 391 Hair care options 393 Caring for fingernails and toenails 393 Toileting 394 Dressing 395 Eating and drinking 396 Taking care of one's health 399 Electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) 400 References 401 23 Implications for future practice and research in technology and environmental interventions 405 Steve Jacobs Introduction 406 Technology's impact on the definition of a "public accommodation": Political and organizational levels of vicente's human-tech ladder 406 Assistive technology vs."Universally-designed" technology 408 Global public inclusive infrastructure 409 Business models that encourage accessible ICT development 416 Overview of the CSIM's technical assistance components 418 Software distribution services 418 Accessibility value chain concept 418 Notes 419 Index 421