Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
It is possible to see from this approach that the issues involved are complex
and include several factors to consider. In general, there were a number of
neutral responses in all but two of the questions (1C and 4B), which are
dicult to interpret in standard surveys; however, given the structure of
the N-Reasons platform, it is possible to more clearly understand what the
participants were concerned with and why they chose such a response. Ad-
ditionally, the survey addressed those subjects that the experts engaged in
this field felt were the most important and relevant to other researchers and
the general public.
Acknowledgements
This research was partially funded by the Peter Wall Institute for
Advanced Research and Genome Canada through the oces of Genome British Columbia.
Thanks to the NERD team, especially Robin Avery for programming the N-Reasons plat-
form, and our participants for their enthusiastic support.
Appendix 1: Ethics and Assistive Technology Survey
Evaluation Scenario:
The University has purchased voice recognition
software for students who have disabilities that make it dicult or painful
to type. Jane is a student with this kind of disability and has been provided
with the software but does not use it. She instead asks to be accommodated
with a typist to whom she can dictate.
1A.
The software the University purchased was chosen for its accuracy and
performance but also for its high degree of customization. Jane has tried
to learn the software once or twice but she quickly gave up, finding it too
dicult to learn. Do you think that the University has an obligation to
accommodate Jane with a typist in this case?
1B.
There is a one-time cost associated with the software license which the
University assumes will pay off over time. The cost of a typist is ongoing
and dependent on a variety of factors such as the typist's availability and
changing rate of pay. Do you think that Jane should be accommodated
with a typist in this case?
1C.
Suppose the University has in place an evaluation system in which a cer-
tified occupational therapist assesses the student's capabilities. Based
on this assessment the needs of the student are determined and a rec-
ommendation is made to provide assistance. Should the occupational
therapist consider the cost to the school when identifying assistance
required for the student?
Sensing Scenario:
Barbara has decided that she needs to provide greater
supervision for her frail mother who is showing early signs of dementia.
Barbara's mother does not want to leave her home, but has had a series
of incidents that leave Barbara questioning whether her mother might
