https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2122-7944
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Abstract
Purpose: Individuals with visual impairments use assistive technology in various aspects of life. Professionals who work with visually impaired people need to know about assistive technologies. The purpose of this study was to analyse the benefits and challenges of assistive technologies by assessing the degree of satisfaction with assistive technologies in different life situations expressed both by users and by professionals.Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 36 individuals with visual impairments and 27 professionals using online questionnaires. Further information was obtained from five individuals with visual impairments through focus group interviews.Results: The results show that 26 (72.2%) individuals with visual impairments and almost all professionals (N = 25; 92.6%) acknowledge the benefits of using assistive technology. They recognise the importance of assistive technology in independent living for individuals with visual impairments. However, 27 (75%) individuals with visual impairment and 26 (96.3%) professionals consider financial constraints to be the biggest problem.Conclusion: More cost-effective technologies need to be developed, and social policies and opportunities created so that every individual with visual impairment can obtain assistive technologies that meet their needs. This would increase the independence of individuals with visual impairments in all areas of life.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Assistive technology support independent living of individuals with visual impairments in all aspects of their lives
Individuals with visual impairments benefit from use of assistive technology but often cannot afford it because it is too expensive
To increase the independence of individuals with visual impairments, we need to develop good legislation and create less expensive assistive technology that is affordable for everyone
To find the best possible solution for individuals, we need to conduct a functional assessment and train professionals and individuals with visual impairments in the use of assistive technology
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my colleagues at the Faculty for Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, in particular to assoc.prof. Renata Pinjatela for the insights and suggestions. I extent my gratitude to The Croatian Union of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (SOIH), for their management and support of the project activities. Finally, I would like to thank all the participants in this study for their time and willingness to share their experiences. Among all, I extend my gratitude to Professor Alison Closs for her invaluable assistance in correcting, editing and proofreading this paper.
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The author believes there are no competing interests to declare.
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Sonja Alimović
Sonja Alimovic graduated in special education and rehabilitation. After graduation, she worked in a kindergarten program for children with multiple disabilities and in the day care centre Mali Dom where she was involved in the assessment of visual functioning, rehabilitation, early childhood intervention programs and the education of children with multiple disabilities, visual impairment and deaf-blindness. She Mastered in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the area of emotional and behavioural problems in children with visual impairment. Her PhD focussed on the visual functioning of children with perinatal brain damage. She now works as an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences in the Department of Visual Impairments. She has been an invited speaker at many symposia and a senior consultant for Perkins’ International Programs in Europe and Eurasia.