Overview
Mainstream smart home technologies (MSHT) are rapidly evolving resulting in robust and affordable tools that can support participation. For persons with physical disabilities, use of MSHT as assistive technology (AT) presents a potential cost-effective intervention to improve independence and participation. This presentation discusses the development of a custom assessment tool to 1) match occupational performance deficits with MSHT to be used as AT solutions and 2) measure the impact of MSHT use on occupational performance. Qualitative studies were conducted with persons with physical disabilities and professionals using MSHT in AT services, to guide the development of the assessment tool.
Session Content Disclosure: This session focused on an assessment tool, ASSIST, developed as part of a federally funded research project and the results of the qualitative studies carried out based on the use of the tool.Learning Objectives
- Identify two potential benefits of using a formal assessment tool in the provision of mainstream smart home technologies as assistive technology for persons with physical disabilities.
- Identify mainstream smart home technologies that can be used to support at least five different daily activities which persons with physical disabilities may have difficulty completing independently.
- Identify at least two key factors to advocate for provision of MSHT as AT in the service delivery process to increase access for persons with disabilities.
Primary & Secondary Strand
Assistive Technology for Physical Access and Participation
Target Audience
- AT Specialists
- Caregivers
- Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities
- Family Members
- Government/Non-Profit Agencies
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Rehab Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
Experience Level
Introductory
Primary Life Cycle Addressed
Adult/Senior
Content Area
Related Area
Course Schedule
This course was included in the ATIA 2021: AT Connected virtual event education program.
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.
ASHA CE Information: Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: March 11, 2021.
End date of ASHA CEUs offering: May 31, 2023.
This course was offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs. (Introductory level, Related area.)
This course was approved by CRCC for CRC CEUs and was included in the ATIA CRC AT for Physical Access and Participation Series (2023-2024). This series offering was available from March 20, 2023, through March 19, 2024.
Speaker/s:
Dan Ding, PhD
Human Engineering Research Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Scientist and Associate Professor
Biography
Dan Ding, PhD is tenured Associate Professor at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), and a Research Scientist at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. She holds a PhD in robotics and has received 3-year interdisciplinary postdoctoral training in rehabilitation engineering. Her current research focuses on using connected-home and robotics technologies to support independent living of people with complex disabilities, and using wearable technologies to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent secondary conditions in individuals with mobility limitations.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Dr. Ding received a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and receives a salary from the University of Pittsburgh where she is employed as an associate professor.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No
Andrea Fairman, PhD, MOT, OTR/L, CPRP
Slippery Rock University and University of Pittsburgh, Associate Professor / Program Director
Biography
Andrea Fairman, PhD, OTR/L, CPRP is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Occupational Therapy in the College of Health Engineering and Science at Slippery Rock University and affiliate faculty at the Human Engineering Research laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fairman earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and Masters of Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University, and a PhD in Rehabilitation Science with a Certificate in Assistive Technology from the University of Pittsburgh. Over the past 20 years, she has practiced occupational therapy in a wide variety of treatment settings including: home health, school-based services, inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Fairman’s research interests include assistive technology to support persons with disabilities, mobile health (mHealth) systems to promote self-management and wellness in persons with chronic conditions.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Consulting fee from independent contractor work
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No
Lindsey Morris, OTD
Clinical Research Coordinator, Human Engineering Research Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Veterans Affairs
Biography
Lindsey Morris, OTD is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) at the University of Pittsburgh. She received her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions (MGHIHP) in May of 2020. Her research interests are focused on the use of mainstream smart technologies as assistive technologies (AT) for persons with chronic disabilities to support their health, participation, independence, and quality of life.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Dr. Morris receives a salary from the University of Pittsburgh where she is a clinical research coordinator.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No