Standard terminology is critical to advancing rehabilitation and assistive technology: a call to action.

This perspective piece discusses inconsistencies in assistive technology (AT) language as a barrier to communication in AT provision, research, development, trade, and policy. The imperative to improve communication is explored in relation to AT stakeholder endeavours. This commentary is a call for action to develop a terminology standard through the aggregation of evidence-based concepts and terms to inform and optimize stakeholder outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONStandardized terminology supports the gathering, aggregation, analysis, and interpretation of valid data and the development of tools used for needs and outcomes assessment.Standardized terminology also supports effective and efficient documentation, practice, collaboration, and capacity building by stakeholders in both national and international contexts.

Basic principles for the development of an AI-based tool for assistive technology decision making.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of assistive technology use on the lives of people with disabilities has long been demonstrated in the literature. Despite the need for assistive technologies, and a wealth of innovative, afford-able, and accessible products, a low rate of assistive technology uptake is globally maintained. One of the reasons for this gap is related to data and knowledge formation and management. Low access to information and a lack of assessment services is evident. Fragmentation of data, inconsistency in assessment methodology and heterogeneity in the competence of assistive technology professionals, has led to a growing interest in the opportunities that data sciences, including AI, hold for the future of the assistive technology sector, as a supportive and constructive mechanism in any decision-making process. OBJECTIVES: In this short paper, we seek to describe some of the principles that such an AI-based recommendation system should be built upon, using the Atvisor platform as a case study. Atvisor.ai is an AI-based digital platform that supports assistive technology assessments and the decision-making process. RECOMMENDATIONS: Our recommendations represent the aggregated insights from two pilots held in Israel, testing the platform in multiple environments and with different stakeholders. These recommendations include ensuring the continuum of care and providing a full user journey, incorporating shared decision making and self-assessment features, providing data personalisation and a holistic approach, building a market network infrastructure and designing the tool within a wider service delivery model design. Assessment and decision-making processes, crucial to optimal uptake, cab be leveraged by technology to become more accessible and personalised.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONProvides principles for the development of an AI-based recommendation system for assistive technology decision making.Promotes the use of artificial intelligence to support users and professionals in the assistive technology decision making process.Personalization of data regarding assistive technology, according to functional, holistic and client centered profiles of users, ensures optimal match and better use of assistive technology.Self-assessment and professional assessment components are important for enabling multiple access points to the assistive technology decision making process, based on the preferences and needs of users.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Educational Technology Device Predisposition Assessment into Brazilian-Portuguese language.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the instrument Educational Technology Device Predisposition Assessment in its Brazilian version for the student and version for the teacher. METHOD: It is a methodological study, focusing on the steps for preparing an adapted version of the assessment instruments. The following operational system was adopted: 1st) initial and reconciled translation into Brazilian-Portuguese language; 2nd) back-translation and adequacy of the instrument; 3nd) equivalence analysis of the instruments' items; 4nd) Pretest and cultural adequacy. RESULT: The translated and culturally adapted version has a high index of agreement and good acceptability by the study participants. CONCLUSION: The translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese instrument can be used in the Brazilian school settings to verify the predisposition to use technologies. Implications for rehabilitation Educational technologies enable students with many types of disability to receive instruction according to their learning needs and styles, assist them in communicating and participating more effectively, and increases self-confidence and motivation through the mastery of an educational program. Not all students benefit from the same type of educational technology and it is important to match them with the ones most appropriate for their use. The Educational Technology Predisposition Assessment assists in the selection of educational technologies based on a particular student's learning style, needs and preferences. The Educational Technology Predisposition Assessment is a validated measurement and it has been translated for use in Brazil and has been found to be a reliable tool.

Tradução e Adaptação Cultural de Instrumentos para Avaliar a Predisposição do Uso de Tecnologia Assistiva que Constitui o Modelo Matching, Person & Technology / Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Instruments to Assess the Predisposition of Assistive Technology Use that Constitutes the Matching, Person & Technology Model

RESUMO: O modelo conceitual Matching, Person & Technology (MPT) propõe uma abordagem centrada no usuário e no ambiente para prescrição de tecnologia assistiva, por meio de instrumentos padronizados, para facilitar o processo de correspondência entre usuário e tecnologia. O estudo teve como objetivo traduzir e adaptar culturalmente para o Português do Brasil os instrumentos Initial Worksheet for the Matching Person & Technology Process; History of Support e Healthcare Technology Device Predisposition Assessment - HCT PA que compõem o modelo MPT. O estudo contou com a participação de dois tradutores juramentados, três pesquisadores cujo idioma nativo era o português e tinham fluência em inglês com domínio na área de tecnologia assistiva, um tradutor cujo idioma nativo era o inglês e tinha fluência em português, o coordenador do projeto, a autora do instrumento original, cinco juízes com experiência na área de tecnologia assistiva e Mestrado ou Doutorado em Educação com ênfase em Educação Especial e seis profissionais da educação e saúde com experiência no fornecimento de tecnologia assistiva para pessoas com deficiência. A pesquisa foi dividida em 5 etapas, sendo elas: 1) tradução do instrumento; 2) tradução conciliada; 3) retrotradução; 4) análise de equivalência dos itens e adequação do instrumento; e 5) pré-teste. Os resultados indicaram um alto índice de concordância entre os participantes e uma boa equivalência cultural dos instrumentos. Conclui-se que as versões em português do Brasil dos instrumentos têm uma boa aceitabilidade e são adequados para serem utilizados para a prescrição de tecnologia para usuários brasileiros.

ABSTRACT: The Matching, Person & Technology (MPT) conceptual model proposes a user-centered, environment-oriented approach for prescription of Assistive Technology, by means of standardized instruments, in order to facilitate the process of correspondence between user and technology. The aim of the study was to translate and adapt culturally to the Portuguese of Brazil the Initial Worksheet for the Matching Person & Technology Process; History of Support and Healthcare Technology Device Predisposition Assessment - HCT PA that make up the MPT model. The study was attended by two sworn translators, three researchers whose native language was Portuguese and had fluency in English with an area of Assistive Technology, a translator whose native language was English and had fluency in Portuguese and the coordinator of the project, the author of the original instrument, five judges with experience in the area of Assistive Technology and Master's or PhD in Education with an emphasis on Special Education and six health and education professionals with experience in dispensing Assistive Technology for people with disabilities. The research was divided into 5 stages: 1) translation of the instrument, 2) reconciled translation, 3) back translation, 4) equivalence of item analysis and adequacy of the instrument, and 5) pre-test. The results indicated a high index of agreement among the participants and a good cultural equivalence of the instruments. It is concluded that the Portuguese of Brazil versions of the instruments have a good acceptability and are suitable to be used for the prescription of technology for Brazilian users.

The learning experiences of immigrants who are graduates of an entry-level baccalaureate nursing program: A hermeneutic phenomenological study.

International migration of individuals or families seeking to improve economic conditions or escape political oppression increases each year. With migrant movement, there is a need for appropriate health care to meet their health beliefs and cultural health traditions. Nurses comprise a large portion of the healthcare workforce and yet, the number of immigrant nurses educated in their adopted country remains low. The aim of this study was to understand the learning experiences of immigrant registered nurses who graduated from an entry-level baccalaureate nursing program in the United States. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach with a Gadamerian focus was utilized. Purposive sampling identified five immigrant graduates who were individually interviewed using several open-ended questions in a non-structured format. Analysis identified an overarching theme, "being on the outside." Five subthemes emerged: harsh realities, disruptions, nurturance, resilience, and propagation. Recommendations from the interviews include: recognition and appreciation of each student, the nurse educator coming to know oneself first, followed by dialoguing with each student to perpetuate deeper understanding. Rather than accommodating the ethnically diverse immigrant nursing student through targeted interventions, the nurse educator should maintain an all-inclusive learning environment.

Assistive technology products: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit.

This paper is based on work from the Global Research, Innovation, and Education on Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit that was coordinated by WHO's Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE). The purpose of this paper is to describe the needs and opportunities embedded in the assistive product lifecycle as well as issues relating to the various stages of assistive product mobilization worldwide. The paper discusses assistive technology product terminology and the dangers of focusing on products outside the context and rolling out products without a plan. Additionally, the paper reviews concepts and issues around technology transfer, particularly in relation to meeting global needs and among countries with limited resources. Several opportunities are highlighted including technology advancement and the world nearing a state of readiness through a developing capacity of nations across the world to successfully adopt and support the assistive technology products and applications. The paper is optimistic about the future of assistive technology products reaching the people that can use it the most and the excitement across large and small nations in increasing their own capacities for implementing assistive technology. This is expressed as hope in future students as they innovate and in modern engineering that will enable assistive technology to pervade all corners of current and potential marketplaces. Importantly, the paper poses numerous topics where discussions are just superficially opened. The hope is that a set of sequels will follow to continue this critical dialog. Implications for Rehabilitation Successful assistive technology product interventions are complex and include much more than the simple selection of the right product. Assistive technology product use is highly context sensitive in terms of an individual user's environment. The development of assistive technology products is tricky as it must be contextually sensitive to the development environment and market as well. As a field we have much to study and develop around assistive technology product interventions from a global perspective.

Assistive technology and people: a position paper from the first global research, innovation and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit.

Assistive technology (AT) is a powerful enabler of participation. The World Health Organization's Global Collaboration on Assistive Technology (GATE) programme is actively working towards access to assistive technology for all. Developed through collaborative work as a part of the Global Research, Innovation and Education on Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit, this position paper provides a "state of the science" view of AT users, conceptualized as "People" within the set of GATE strategic "P"s. People are at the core of policy, products, personnel and provision. AT is an interface between the person and the life they would like to lead. People's preferences, perspectives and goals are fundamental to defining and determining the success of AT. Maximizing the impact of AT in enabling participation requires an individualized and holistic understanding of the value and meaning of AT for the individual, taking a universal model perspective, focusing on the person, in context, and then considering the condition and/or the technology. This paper aims to situate and emphasize people at the centre of AT systems: we highlight personal meanings and perspectives on AT use and consider the role of advocacy, empowerment and co-design in developing and driving AT processes.

Systems thinking for assistive technology: a commentary on the GREAT summit.

The area of assistive technology has a long history of technological ingenuity and innovation. In order to ensure that the benefits of assistive technology are equitably distributed across the population and life course, it is necessary to adopt a systemic approach to the area. We describe examples of systems thinking and non-systems thinking across 10 Ps. These Ps are People (or users, as the primary beneficiaries of assistive technology), Policy, Products, Personnel, Provision (as key strategic drivers at systems level); and Procurement, Place, Pace, Promotion and Partnership (as key situational factors for systems). Together these Ps should constitute a framework for an "open" system that can evolve and adapt, that empowers users, inter-connects key components and locates these in the reality of differing contexts. The adoption of a stronger systems thinking perspective within the assistive technology field should allow for more equitable, more resilient and more sustainable assistive technology across high, middle- and low-income contexts and countries. Implications for Rehabilitation The progress of assistive technology provison has been hampered by disconnected initiatives and activities and this needs to be corrected. Systems thinking is a way of thinking about the connections between things and how these are influenced by contextual and other factors. By encouraging the providers and users of assitive technology to think more systemically we can provide a more cohesive and resilient systems. The user experience is the central component of systems thinking in assistive technologies.

Project Career: An individualized postsecondary approach to promoting independence, functioning, and employment success among students with traumatic brain injuries.

BACKGROUND: Project Career is a five-year interdisciplinary demonstration project funded by NIDILRR. It provides technology-driven supports, merging Cognitive Support Technology (CST) evidence-based practices and rehabilitation counseling, to improve postsecondary and employment outcomes for veteran and civilian undergraduate students with traumatic brain injury (TBI). GOAL: Provide a technology-driven individualized support program to improve career and employment outcomes for students with TBI. OBJECTIVES: Project staff provide assessments of students' needs relative to assistive technology, academic achievement, and career preparation; provide CST training to 150 students; match students with mentors; provide vocational case management; deliver job development and placement assistance; and maintain an electronic portal regarding accommodation and career resources. METHODS: Participating students receive cognitive support technology training, academic enrichment, and career preparatory assistance from trained professionals at three implementation sites. Staff address cognitive challenges using the 'Matching Person with Technology' assessment to accommodate CST use (iPad and selected applications (apps)). JBS International (JBS) provides the project's evaluation. RESULTS: To date, 117 students participate with 63% report improved life quality and 75% report improved academic performance. CONCLUSION: Project Career provides a national model based on best practices for enabling postsecondary students with TBI to attain academic, employment, and career goals.

Qualitative case studies of professional-level workers with traumatic brain injuries: A contextual approach to job accommodation and retention.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a multi-systemic disability that causes a wide range of difficulties with personal and social functioning. METHODS: Four individuals with TBI participated in an evaluation of barriers to their continued employment following graduation from college. A trained interviewer completed the Work Experience Survey (WES) in teleconsultation sessions with each participant. RESULTS: Researchers applied a qualitative case study research design. Participants reported a wide range of difficulties in performing essential functions of their jobs (3 to 24) that have the potential to significantly affect their productivity. Career mastery problems reflected outcomes associated with TBI such as 'believing that others think I do a good job' and 'having the resources (e.g., knowledge, tools, supplies, and equipment) needed to do the job.' Indicative of their wish to continue their current employment, participants reported high levels of job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The WES is a cost-effective needs assessment tool to aid health and rehabilitation professionals in providing on-the-job supports to workers with TBI.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the assistive technology device - Predisposition assessment (ATD PA) for use in Brazil (ATD PA Br).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to conduct a cross-cultural adaptation of the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA) for use in Brazil. METHOD: The selection of the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA) was determined by previous literature reviews of articles published in 2014 and 2016 in six databases with the terms "assistive device" or "assistive technology" or "self-help device" combined with "evidence-based practice" or "framework" or "measurement scale" or "model and outcome assessment". This review indicated that the conceptual model of Assistive Technology (AT) most discussed in the literature was the Matching Person and Technology (MPT) model, and this finding determined the selection of ATD PA as an assessment within the MPT portfolio of measures. The procedures for cross-cultural adaptation were as follows: Equivalence of Concept, Semantic and Operational. Five experts were asked to translate 725 items and these translations were evaluated and a high level of agreement was demonstrated. RESULTS: The Portuguese version, Avaliação de Tecnologia Assistiva - Predisposição ao Uso - ATD PA Br, was derived from the original version in English (ATD PA). CONCLUSION: The ATD PA Br will support professionals and people with disabilities in Brazil to better select AT devices according to the clients' needs. Implications for rehabilitation Provides a systematic way of selecting assistive technology devices for the use of individuals with disabilities according to the Brazilian reality. A systematic way of selecting the assistive technology that can help decrease the abandonment of the assistive technology use. The use of the Matching Person and Technology theorical model and of the assessment ATD PA Br is essential to guide the researches and clinical practice in Brazil.

Validating a measure to assess factors that affect assistive technology use by students with disabilities in elementary and secondary education.

PURPOSE/AIM: The purpose of this study was to measure the predictive validity, internal consistency and clinical utility of the Matching Assistive Technology to Child & Augmentative Communication Evaluation Simplified (MATCH-ACES) assessment. METHODS: Twenty-three assistive technology team evaluators assessed 35 children using the MATCH-ACES assessment. This quasi-experimental study examined the internal consistency, predictive validity and clinical utility of the MATCH-ACES assessment. RESULTS: The MATCH-ACES assessment predisposition scales had good internal consistency across all three scales. A significant relationship was found between (a) high student perseverance and need for assistive technology and (b) high teacher comfort and interest in technology use (p = (0).002). CONCLUSIONS: Study results indicate that the MATCH-ACES assessment has good internal consistency and validity. Predisposition characteristics of student and teacher combined can influence the level of assistive technology use; therefore, assistive technology teams should assess predisposition factors of the user when recommending assistive technology. Implications for Rehabilitation Educational and medical professionals should be educated on evidence-based assistive technology assessments. Personal experience and psychosocial factors can influence the outcome use of assistive technology. Assistive technology assessments must include an intervention plan for assistive technology service delivery to measure effective outcome use.

Why people use and don't use technologies: Introduction to the special issue on assistive technologies for cognition/cognitive support technologies.

This special issue focuses on assistive technologies for cognition/cognitive support technologies as well as the ways in which individuals are assessed and trained in their use. We provide eleven diverse articles that give information on products, why they are used and not used, and best professional practices in service provision. Our goal is to highlight a broad topic that has received limited research investigation and offer an insight into how different countries and programs are promoting access to and use of assistive technologies for cognition/cognitive support technologies.

Integrating cognitive rehabilitation: A preliminary program description and theoretical review of an interdisciplinary cognitive rehabilitation program.

BACKGROUND: Interdisciplinary cognitive rehabilitation is emerging as the expected standard of care for individuals with mild to moderate degrees of cognitive impairment for a variety of etiologies. There is a growing body of evidence in cognitive rehabilitation literature supporting the involvement of multiple disciplines, with the use of cognitive support technologies (CSTs), in delivering cognitive therapy to individuals who require cognitive rehabilitative therapies. This article provides an overview of the guiding theories related to traditional approaches of cognitive rehabilitation and the positive impact of current theoretical models of an interdisciplinary approach in clinical service delivery of this rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: A theoretical model of the Integrative Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (ICRP) will be described in detail along with the practical substrates of delivering specific interventions to individuals and caregivers who are living with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. The ultimate goal of this article is to provide a clinically useful resource for direct service providers. It will serve to further clinical knowledge and understanding of the evolution from traditional silo based treatment paradigms to the current implementation of multiple perspectives and disciplines in the pursuit of patient centered care. METHODS: The article will discuss the theories that contributed to the development of the interdisciplinary team and the ICRP model, implemented with individuals with mild to moderate cognitive deficits, regardless of etiology. The development and implementation of specific assessment and intervention strategies in this cognitive rehabilitation program will also be discussed. RESULTS: The assessment and intervention strategies utilized as part of ICRP are applicable to multiple clinical settings in which individuals with cognitive impairment are served. CONCLUSIONS: This article has specific implications for rehabilitation which include: (a) An Interdisciplinary Approach is an effective method for cognitive rehabilitation; and (b) Recent theories offer beneficial evaluation and intervention techniques for cognitive rehabilitation.