Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Starting with this theoretical perspective, this chapter will illustrate and discuss the role
of the psychotechnologist with regard to
• The analysis and the evaluation of the
user-assistive technology
matching, con-
ducted by taking into account the three dynamic components of the interaction
system—the person-system, the technology-system, and the socioenvironment-
system—to analyze both barriers and facilitators occurring within the interac-
tion system (WHO 2001, 2007).
• The ield of assistive technologies, eAccessibility, or eInclusion, which allows for
overcoming limitations and disabilities by enabling interfacing and interacting
mainstream information and communication technologies (ICT)-based systems
and services by using assistive (psycho)technology.
We will discuss outline the profession of the psychotechnologist by analyzing the
following: (1) the psychotechnologist and the assistive technology (AT) assessment
process; (2) a case example of the application of the model and measurements; (3) the AT
assignation process in a center for technical aid and the psychotechnologist; and (4) an
example of psychotechnology education.
9.2 The Psychotechnologist and the AT Assessment Process
The psychotechnologist is an expert in ICT, in particular in human-computer interaction
(HCI) and human factors, and he or she analyzes the relations emerging from the person-
technology interaction by taking into account
• All of the psychological and cognitive components which, according to De
Kerckhove (1990, 1991a, 1991b), are directly involved in the technological system as
a fundamental and dynamic part of it.
• The possibilities of adapting and designing eSystems and eServices in an adapt-
able and accessible manner (eAccessibility). eAccessibility defines the mechanisms
and concepts of how eSystems and eServices, in particular at the level of HCI,
have to be designed so that people with disabilities and the aging population
can seamlessly interact with mainstream ICT, using the embedded adaptabil-
ity and flexibility features of the general ICT/HCI, or using AT. To “interface the
interface” (Crombie et al. 2004) and to access mainstream eSystems and services,
both in terms of AT and eAccessibility, is a key component of the work of the
psychotechnologist.
The role of the psychotechnologist is to
• Evaluate the pertinence of one or more technological aids selected for an assis-
tive solution in a user-driven assessment process during a “setting set-up” phase
arranged by a multidisciplinary team (see Section 9.4). For the evaluation of the
user and technology matching, the psychotechnologist makes use of direct and
participant observation methods such as Cognitive Walkthrough (Wharton
et al. 1994) combined with Thinking Aloud (Lewis 1982) or integrated models
