Learning about Assistive Technology: Hispanics and a National Sample

Abstract

As early as 1988, the United States federal government mandated the creation of formal and informal programs to increase acquisition of assistive technology by persons with disabilities, with a special attention to underrepresented groups. This study compared the methods used by Hispanics with disabilities to learn about assistive technology with Whites and non-Whites. The study is the combination of the national study and a targeted study of Hispanics, due to this group's lower representation in the national sample. This study sought to answer the following questions: (1) Are there intergroup differences between Hispanics with disabilities and non-Hispanics with disabilities in terms of how they learn about assistive technology, and (2) are there intragroup differences among Hispanics' actions on how they learn about assistive technology? Findings indicated that regardless of ethnic/racial group, most individuals with disabilities learn about assistive technology through doctors or other medical professionals. However, some differences were found on the use of extended family, friends, and neighbors and the Internet as other methods to learn about assistive technology. Additionally, the Hispanics from the national sample appear more aligned with the overall sample, while the Hispanics from the Hispanic-only sample seem to be using services at higher percentages.

Key Words:

• Assistive technology
• Hispanics
• Means of learning
• Informal networks
• Formal networks
• Persons with disabilities