Following is an analysis of the requests for assistive technology (AT)
information made by research participants in the reliability study of the
Assistive Technology in the Community NIDRR grant. Upon completion of the
first interview, participants were given the opportunity to request AT
information as a wrap up and to identify participant requests for community
resources and interest in further research. 117 people of the 121 (31-PWC,
32-MWC, 29-SC, 29-CCW) surveyed had at least one request. Originally, many
requests were listed under Other that could fit into more specific categories
but were later moved into their proper sections, therefore, resulting in
modified total responses for each category. After placing requests into the
proper categories, 23 requests remained in Other, and no themes/additional
potential categories were present, as the remaining Other requests were all
individual.
Overall, the top five most requested areas were: additional studies, funding,
local organizations, driving, and w/c study (Pittsburgh). In total, the
participants made 325 requests (104-PWC, 75-MWC, 100-SC, 46-CCW). 32% of the
requests were made by PWC users, 23% by MWC users, 31% by SC users, and 14% by
CCW users. Funding was ranked in the top 2 in all four device groups (PWC, MWC,
SC, CCW).
PWC users were most interested in funding, being involved in the w/c study and
in local organizations, getting access to a computer, driving an accessible
vehicle, transportation/travel, and work. MWC users were basically interested in
the same things. They also wanted to be in the w/c study, look into funding and
mobility options, participate in local organizations, get computer access, and
work. SC users wanted the usual information on local organizations, funding,
transportation/travel, driving, and mobility; however, they were also
interesting in recreation and home modifications. SC users made 56% of all
recreation requests and 44% of all home modification requests.
A. Number of Surveys (modified total responses)
121 Total (31-PWC, 32-MWC, 29-SC, 29-CCW)
B. Access to Computer (75-T)
59-Yes (15-PWC, 15-MWC, 18-SC, 11-CCW)
16-No (4-PWC, 4-MWC, 5-SC, 3-CCW)
C. If Yes, Where (54-T, 13-PWC, 14-MWC, 18-SC, 9-CCW)
37-Home
9-Home, Work
2-Work
2-Library
1-Home, School
1-Home, Work, School
1-School, Library
1-Daughters Home
D. Interest in Computer Access (75-T)
16-Yes (8-PWC, 5-MWC, 5-SC, 3-CCW)
5-Yes
5-No (1-PWC, 2-MWC, 1-SC, 1-CCW)
49-N/A (10-PWC, 14-MWC, 17-SC, 8-CCW)
E. Communication (6-T, 2-PWC, 1-MWC, 2-SC, 1-CCW)
2-Yes
2-Dragon Dictate
1-Dragon Professionally Speaking
1-TAP Phones
F. Environmental Control Units (2-T, 1-PWC, 1-SC)
2-Yes
G. Driving (27-T, 8-PWC, 3-MWC, 9-SC, 7-CCW)
9-Hand Controls/Alternate Steering Wheel Set-up
4-Lift/Ramp
2-Mike Bender/Training/Funding
2-Van Info
2-United Access
1-Mike Bender
1-Adapted Mobility
1-EZ Lock
1-Yes
H. Funding (37-T, 13-PWC, 6-MWC, 10-SC, 8-CCW)
19-Yes
7-MO AT Council/Act/Loans, Show Me Loans
2-Medicare/caid
2-General Funding
2-Vans
1-SSI, Medicare/caid
1-Ramp
1-Computer
1-Scooter Funding/Insurance Coverage
1-Food Pantry
I. Home Modifications (18-T, 4-PWC, 3-MWC, 8-SC, 3-CCW)
3-Easy Open Doors/Hinges/Turn Keys, Automatic Door
3-Accessible Bathroom/Grab bar
3-Mark Petre/Ross Hurley/Home Modifications
2-Stair Lift
1-Elevators for Homes
1-Grab bar
1-Kitchen
1-Chair Lift
1-Ramp
1-Ramp
1-Yes
J. Low Vision Aids (5-T, 1-PWC, 2-SC, 2-CCW)
3-Yes
1-CCTV
1-Computer Magnification
K. Mobility (28-T, 6-PWC, 6-MWC, 9-SC, 7-CCW)
7-Scooter
6-PWC
4-MWC
3-Walkers
2-Yes
1-Rehab Medical/United Seating
1-American Home Phone #
1-I-Glide
1-Standing W/C
1-Cane
1-General DME Info
L. Recreation (18-T, 3-PWC, 3-MWC, 10-SC, 2-CCW)
4-Swimming
2-Yes
2-Exercise Bikes
1-Seated Exercise/Theraband
1-Stair Training Machine
1-YMCA
1-Canoe/Kayak
1-Accessible Gym
1-W/C for Exercise
1-Fishing/Outdoors
1-Snow Ski
1-Rec Council/Rehab Institute
1-Accessible Movie Theatre
M. Seating (10-T, 4-PWC, 4-MWC, 2-SC)
3-ROHO
2-Cushion
2-Seating Options
1-Yes
1-Powered Uplift
1-MWC
N. Service Animals (2-T, 2-SC)
2-Yes
O. Transportation/Travel (23-T, 8-PWC, 4-MWC, 10-SC, 1-CCW)
4-Airline/Airline Parking
4-Hotel
3-Yes
3-Call-A-Ride
3-Accessible Van/Lift for Van
2-Bi-State/Alternatives to Bi-State
1-Amtrak
1-Travel Companion
1-Accessing Your World
1-Public Transportation in Outer Counties
P. Work (20-T, 8-PWC, 5-MWC, 7-SC)
3-Voc Rehab
3-Voice Recognition
3-Education
3-Employment
2-Employment
2-Paraquad
1-Yes
1-Ticket to Work Incentive Act
1-Starting Own Small Business
1-Energy Conservation at Work
Q. Other (23-T, 12-PWC, 1-MWC, 7-SC, 3-CCW)
2-Reacher
2-Lights for W/C to be Seen at Night
1-Basket for W/C to do Laundry
1-Physical Therapy
1-Lift Chair
1-Mattress Designed for Pressure Relief
1-Programs for Children of Parents with Disabilities
1-Personal Assistant Services
1-Dynamic Splint
1-Emergency Cell Phone for Seniors
1-Universal Cuff
1-Wants Results of Study
1-High Cost of AT
1-Access Dept.-Windy Pecka?
1-Glucerna
1-Selling Used AT
1-Dr. McDonald Info
1-Research Study on Bladder Infections
1-Help with Designing AT
1-Grooming Aides
1-Donate Body to Science
R. Michigan (2-T, 1-MWC, 1-SC)
2-Yes
S. Florida (1-T, 1-PWC)
1-Yes
T. W/C Study (Pitt) (76-T)
20-Yes (9-PWC, 11-MWC)
4-Already In (1-PWC, 3-MWC)
4-No (1-PWC, 1-MWC, 2-CCW)
48-N/A (13-PWC, 7-MWC, 15-SC, 13-CCW)
U. Community Receptivity (72-T)
5-Yes (1-PWC, 2-MWC, 2-CCW)
7-No (1-PWC, 4-MWC, 2-CCW)
60-N/A (19-PWC, 14-MWC, 15-SC, 12-CCW)
V. Additional Studies (42-T)
42-Yes (14-PWC, 10-MWC, 4-SC, 14-CCW)
W. Drive/Strength (64-T)
10-Yes (3-PWC, 4-MWC, 2-SC, 1-CCW)
18-No (4-PWC, 5-MWC, 3-SC, 6-CCW)
36-N/A (10-PWC, 8-MWC, 10-SC, 8-CCW)
X. Vote (58-T)
10-Yes (5-PWC, 3-MWC, 1-SC, 1-CCW)
20-No (5-PWC, 5-MWC, 3-SC, 7-CCW)
27-N/A (5-PWC, 8-MWC, 9-SC, 5-CCW)
1-Yes/N/A (1-PWC)
Y. Advocacy (51-T)
17-Yes/Gave Handout (5-PWC, 4-MWC, 6-SC, 2-CCW)
20-No (5-PWC, 5-MWC, 3-SC, 7-CCW)
13-N/A (3-PWC, 4-MWC, 3-SC, 3-CCW)
1-Paraquad (1-SC)
Z. Local Organizations (59-T)
21-No (4-PWC, 6-MWC, 4-SC, 7-CCW)
14-N/A (3-PWC, 4-MWC, 3-SC, 4-CCW)
10-Yes(10-PWC, 6-MWC, 11-SC, 6-CCW)
6-Paraquad
4-Paraquad
3-Housing Clearinghouse/Accessible Housing
2-ILC
2-ILC
1-Diabetes Association
1-Diabetes Association
1-MS Society
1-Accessible Housing
1-Meals On Wheels
1-Polio Survivors Group
AA. National AT Centers (45-T)
4-Yes (3-PWC, 1-MWC)
27-No (7-PWC, 8-MWC, 5-SC, 7-CCW)
14-N/A (3-PWC, 3-MWC, 4-SC, 4-CCW)
1. Ranking of Total Requests/Interest by Category (excluding No & N/A)
42-Additional Studies
36-Funding
27-Driving
24-Local Organizations
23-W/C Study (Pitt)
23-Other
22-Mobility
21-Interested in Computer Access
20-Transportation/Travel
18-Home Modifications
18-Recreation
18-Work
18-Advocacy
10-Seating
10-Drive/Strength Study
10-Vote Project
6-Communication
5-Low Vision Aids
5-Community Receptivity Study
4-National AT Centers
2-Service Animals
2-Environmental Control Units
2-Michigan Study
1-Florida Study
2. Ranking (PWC)
13-Funding
10-W/C Study (Pitt)
10-Local Organizations
8-Interested in Computer Access
8-Driving
8-Transportation/Travel
8-Work
6-Mobility
5-Vote Project
5-Advocacy
4-Home Modifications
4-Seating
3-Recreation
3-Drive/Strength Study
3-National AT Centers
2-Communication
1-Environmental Control Units
1-Low Vision Aids
1-Florida Study
1-Community Receptivity Study
3. Ranking (MWC)
14-W/C Study (Pitt)
6-Funding
6-Mobility
6-Local Organizations
5-Interested in Computer Access
5-Work
4-Seating
4-Transportation/Travel
4-Drive/Strength Study
4-Advocacy
3-Driving
3-Home Modifications
3-Recreation
3-Vote Project
2-Community Receptivity Study
1-Communication
1-Michigan Study
1-National AT Centers
4. Ranking (SC)
11-Local Organizations
10-Funding
10-Recreation
10-Transportation/Travel
9-Driving
9-Mobility
8-Home Modifications
7-Work
6-Advocacy
5-Interested in Computer Access
2-Communication
2-Low Vision Aids
2-Seating
2-Service Animals
2-Community Receptivity
2-Drive/Strength Study
1-Environmental Control Units
1-Michigan Study
1-Vote Project
5. Ranking (CCW)
8-Funding
7-Driving
7-Mobility
6-Local Organizations
3-Interested in Computer Access
3-Home Modifications
2-Low Vision Aids
2-Recreation
2-Advocacy
1-Communication
1-Transportation/Travel
1-Drive/Strength Study
1-Vote Project