Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical disabilities"’ Sort:
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New website delivers
- Author:
- HODGKINSON Conrad
- Journal article citation:
- Access by Design, 110, Spring 2007, pp.21-24.
- Publisher:
- Centre for Accessible Environments
The Accessible Property Register advertises accessible or adapted property which is for sale or rent and promotes private residential and social housing on an equal basis. The author describes the changes to the Accessible Property Register's upgraded website.
Assistive technology for disabled visual artists: exploring the impact of digital technologies on artistic practice
- Author:
- CREED Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 33(7), 2018, pp.1103-1119.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Disabled artists with physical impairments can experience significant barriers in producing creative work. Digital technologies offer alternative opportunities to support artistic practice, but there has been a lack of research investigating the impact of assistive digital tools in this context. This article explores the current practice of physically impaired visual artists and their experiences around the use of digital technologies. An online survey was conducted with professional disabled artists and followed up by face-to-face interviews with 10 invited artists. The findings illustrate the issues disabled artists experience in their practice and highlight how they are commonly using mainstream digital technologies as part of their practice. However, there is little awareness around novel forms of technology (e.g. eye gaze tracking) that present new creative opportunities. The importance of digital tools for supporting wider practice (i.e. administrative and business tasks) was also highlighted as a key area where further work is required. (Publisher abstract)
Adaptation for participation! Children’s experiences with use of assistive devices in activities
- Authors:
- GJESSING Berit, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13(8), 2018, pp.802-808.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: To explore children’s experiences with testing, acquiring and using assistive devices. Methods: Nine children (six boys, three girls, 9–12 years old, with different physical disability and activity experience, participated in semistructured interviews. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using Systematic text condensation. Results: Assistive devices were reported to contribute to cope activities that the children otherwise would not have participated in. Several subjects listed the need for a shielded environment when adapting to new equipment. The children highlighted “independence in activities” and “having the opportunity to participate in activities with family and friends” as important for frequent use. Need for assistance and lack of localizations to perform the activities were listed as reasons for less frequent use. Conclusions: This study reveals that it is useful to map each child’s opportunities for independency, appropriate locations for performing the activity and participation with friends, when considering obtaining assistive devices. (Publisher abstract)
Assistive tools for disability arts: collaborative experiences in working with disabled artists and stakeholders
- Author:
- CREED Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 10(2), 2016, pp.121-129.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the experiences in working collaboratively with physically impaired visual artists and other stakeholders (e.g. disability arts organisations, charities, personal assistants, special needs colleges, assistive technologists, etc.) to explore the potential of digital assistive tools to support and transform practice. Design/methodology/approach: The authors strategically identified key organisations as project partners including Disability Arts Shropshire, Arts Council England, the British Council, SCOPE, and National Star College (a large special needs college). This multi-disciplinary team worked together to develop relationships with disabled artists and to collaboratively influence the research focus around investigating the current practice of physically impaired artists and the impact of digital technologies on artistic work. Findings: The collaborations with disabled artists and stakeholders throughout the research process have enriched the project, broadened and deepened research impact, and enabled a firsthand understanding of the issues around using assistive technology for artistic work. Artists and stakeholders have become pro-active collaborators and advocates for the project as opposed to being used only for evaluation purposes. A flexible research approach was crucial in helping to facilitate research studies and enhance impact of the work. Originality/value: This paper is the first to discuss experiences in working with physically impaired visual artists – including the benefits of a collaborative approach and the considerations that must be made when conducting research in this area. The observations are also relevant to researchers working with disabled participants in other fields. (Publisher abstract)
What can assistive technology offer disabled adults?
- Author:
- RESEARCH IN PRACTICE FOR ADULTS
- Publisher:
- Research in Practice for Adults
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- Dartington
This briefing presents an overview of assistive technology and explains how it is a key component of the independence agenda, helping disabled people gain greater control over their social environment.
Canadian power mobility device users' experiences of ageing with mobility impairments
- Authors:
- KOROTCHENKO Alexandra, CLARKE Laura Hurd
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 36(6), 2016, pp.1238-1253.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
In this article, the authors draw upon interviews with 14 men and 15 women aged 51–92 to examine the embodied experiences of Canadian power mobility device users. In particular, they investigate how individuals ageing with mobility impairments perceived and experienced the practical impacts and symbolic cultural connotations of utilising a power mobility device. The findings reveal that those participants who had begun to use their power mobility devices later in life were dismayed by and apprehensive about the significance of their diminishing physical abilities in the context of the societal privileging of youthful and able bodies. At the same time, the participants who had used a power mobility device from a young age were fearful of prospective bodily declines, and discussed the significance and consequences of being unable to continue to operate their power mobility devices autonomously in the future. The authors consider the ways in which the participants attempted to manage, mitigate and reframe their experiences of utilising power mobility devices in discriminatory environments. The authors discuss their findings in relation to on-going theoretical debates pertaining to the concepts of ‘biographical disruption’ and the third and fourth ages. (Edited publisher abstract)
Wearable devices to support rehabilitation and social care
- Authors:
- DOUGHTY Kevin, APPLEBY Alistair
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 10(1), 2016, pp.51-63.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper provides a review of the use of wearable technologies that focuses on applications that tackle sensory and communication deficits, physical disabilities and alarm and activity monitoring. It is intended to promote the introduction of more wearable approaches to providing assistive technologies because of their benefits in utilisation and aesthetic appeal. Design/methodology/approach: The approach involves a comparison of different types of portable device in order to identify different groups that may be beneficial to different application areas. Recent advances are then considered for each area. Findings: The work demonstrates that the use of wearable AT device is increasing due to improvements in materials, battery power and connected intelligence such as smartphones. They will allow new devices to be introduced that are smaller, lighter and more usable. Originality/value: The paper's value lies in encouraging manufacturers and designers to use wearable approaches to solving some of the problems facing vulnerable people. (Edited publisher abstract)
House Key
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Government
The House Key aims to provide good quality information about housing support services throughout Scotland. Housing support services are mainly provided by local authorities, housing associations and voluntary sector organisations. They help a wide range of people to live independently in the community, by providing practical support and advice. This site provides a Directory of Housing Support services, divided into three separate search facilities: housing support services, including community alarm and telecare services, women's refuge services,and ex-offender services; sheltered housing; and home adaptation and repair services.