Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5.2 Assistive Technology Abandonment
Technology abandonment occurs when a consumer stops using a device even
though the need for which the device was obtained still exists. The underlying
factors of device abandonment are important to consider. A survey of more
than 200 users of assistive technologies identified four factors significantly
related to the abandonment of assistive technologies: (1) failure of providers
to take consumers' opinions into account, (2) easy device procurement, (3)
poor device performance, and (4) changes in consumers' needs or priorities
[
4
]. Another factor is the personal meaning attributed to assistive devices by
the user [
3
].
Psychosocial and cultural variables can be primary factors in determin-
ing the meaning individuals assigned to AT. In particular, expectations of
how the device would function and the social costs of using the device (i.e.,
cost/benefit of device use) determined whether a person integrated AT into
hisorherlifeornot.Personal characteristics related to mood, self-esteem,
self-determination, motivation, and psychosocial characteristics related to
friend and family support are also significant predictors of device use [
5
].
5.3 HAAT Model
The human activity assistive technology (HAAT) model conceptualizes the
consumer, their activities, environment, and assistive technology as an inte-
grated system in which changing one element affects all other elements in the
system [
2
]. It can be applied in the design, selection and evaluation of tech-
nology for use by an individual, or as a conceptual model for exploring the
influence of assistive technology on participation in daily activities.
The HAAT model has four elements: the activity, the human, the environ-
ment (context), and the assistive technology.
5.3.1 Human
The Human element considers all aspects that relate to the person, and is one
of the most complex elements of the HAAT model. In considering potential
assistive technologies, a consumer's cognitive, physical, and emotional skills
and abilities as they relate to participation in daily activities and use of
technology, are involved. Further, the consumer's experience with technology,
whether they are an expert or a novice in its use, is also an important part
of the human element.
