788
Views
3
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Research

Policymaker and stakeholder perspectives on access to assistive technologies in Canada: challenges and proposed solutions for enhancing equitable access

, , &
Pages 61-73 | Received 31 Jan 2020, Accepted 01 May 2020, Published online: 03 Jun 2020
 

Abstract

Purpose

Unmet needs for assistive technologies (ATs) exist and the need for ATs is growing owing to demographic changes worldwide. Little comprehensive research has examined equity of access to ATs in Canada. Our study elucidates perspectives of policymakers and stakeholders on challenges and solutions for enhancing equitable access to ATs to advance policy discussions.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative interview study with a purposive sample of policymakers and stakeholders. Stakeholders were from non-profit organisations; private insurance companies; ageing or technology industries; and advocacy, consumer, and support groups. We used thematic analysis to develop themes that summarised and facilitated data interpretation.

Results

We conducted 24 interviews involving 32 participants. We present three themes: (1) User experiences, detailing challenges experienced by AT system users; (2) System characteristics: Challenges and solutions, outlining governance, financial, and delivery arrangements that create challenges for accessing AT, as well as participants’ proposed solutions; and (3) Shifts in models and principles, for approaches that may foster equitable access to ATs. We consolidate results into a set of valued qualities of a system that can enhance equitable AT access, and relate results to relevant national and international activities.

Conclusions

This is the most comprehensive study of Canadian policymaker and stakeholder views on AT access to date. Identified challenges and solutions point to opportunities for policy action and to support work to create a national vision for AT access that strengthens the potential for ATs to enable daily activity participation, independence, and societal inclusion of seniors and people with disabilities.

    IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

  • AT use supports daily activity participation, independence, and societal inclusion of seniors and people with disabilities.

  • There is an urgent need to ensure that those who need ATs have access to them, considering the benefits of their use, current unmet needs for ATs, and the anticipated demand for ATs because of the ageing population and increased prevalence of chronic disease and disability.

  • A comprehensive understanding of policymakers’ and stakeholders’ perspectives on challenges and potential solutions for enhancing equitable access to ATs is critical to support development of evidence- and values-informed policies.

  • Understanding challenges and solutions identified by diverse policymakers and stakeholders can lead to national and local opportunities for policy action and support work to create a national vision for enhancing equitable access to AT.

Acknowledgements

We thank the policymakers and stakeholders for taking the time to participate in interviews and for offering their invaluable insights.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by AGE-WELL NCE under AW CRP 2015-WP8.2.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 340.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.