Standard terminology is critical to advancing rehabilitation and assistive technology: a call to action.

This perspective piece discusses inconsistencies in assistive technology (AT) language as a barrier to communication in AT provision, research, development, trade, and policy. The imperative to improve communication is explored in relation to AT stakeholder endeavours. This commentary is a call for action to develop a terminology standard through the aggregation of evidence-based concepts and terms to inform and optimize stakeholder outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONStandardized terminology supports the gathering, aggregation, analysis, and interpretation of valid data and the development of tools used for needs and outcomes assessment.Standardized terminology also supports effective and efficient documentation, practice, collaboration, and capacity building by stakeholders in both national and international contexts.

A survey of assistive technology service providers in the USA.

This study investigates perspectives of assistive technology service (ATS) providers regarding their education and training, interdisciplinary standards of practice, use of a common language framework, funding policies, utilization of evidence and outcomes measurement. A survey underpinned by AT legislations and established guidelines for practice was completed by 318 certified AT providers. More than 30% of the providers reported their education and training as inadequate to fulfil four of the seven primary roles of ATS. Nearly 90% of providers expressed awareness of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains for interdisciplinary communication. However, only 45% felt that they could effectively utilize the ICF in their documentation. About 75% of the providers acknowledged the lack of a recognized standard for the provision of services. Prevailing inadequacies in funding were negatively impacting the quality of ATS, as expressed by 88% of respondents. Translation of evidence to practice was identified as a major challenge by 41% of service providers. Providers were predominantly documenting outcomes through informal interviews (54%) or non-standard instruments (26%). Findings support the need for strengthening professional curriculum, pre-service and in-service training and an established standard to support effective, interdisciplinary AT services and data collection to support public policy decisions. Implications for Rehabilitation This study validates the need to strengthen education and training of AT service providers by enhancing professional curriculum as well as their engagement in pre-service and in-service training activities. This study draws attention to health care funding policies and practices that critically impact the quality of AT services. This study signifies the need for an established interdisciplinary standard among AT professionals to support effective communication, service coordination and outcomes measurement.

Integrating medical, assistive, and universal design products and technologies: Assistive Technology Service Method (ATSM).

INTRODUCTION: ISO26000 provides guidance on effective organizational performance that recognizes social responsibility (including rights of persons with disabilities (PWD)), engages stakeholders, and contributes to sustainable development [1]. Millennium Development Goals 2010 state: while progress has been made, insufficient dedication to sustainable development, and inequalities to the most vulnerable people require attention [2]. World Report on Disability 2011 recommendations includes improved data collection and removal of barriers to rehabilitation that empower PWD [3]. BACKGROUND: The Assistive Technology Service Method (ATSM), Assistive Technology Device Classification (ATDC) and Matching Person and Technology (MPT) provide an evidence-based, standardized, internationally comparable framework to improve rehabilitation interventions [4-6]. The ATSM and ATDC support universal design (UD) principles and provision of universal technology. The MPT assures interventions are effective and satisfactory to end-users [7]. The ICF conceptual framework and common language are used throughout [8]. METHOD: Research findings on healthcare needs are translated. ATSM applications in support of these findings are presented. RESULTS: National initiatives demonstrate the need and value of the ATSM as an evidence-based, user-centric, interdisciplinary method to improve individual and organizational performance for rehabilitation [including AT] services. CONCLUSION: Two Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology articles demonstrate ATSM and ATDC use to strengthen rehabilitation services and integrate Universal Design principles for socially responsible behavior.

Integrating medical, assistive, and universally designed products and technologies: assistive technology device classification (ATDC).

INTRODUCTION: ISO26000:2010 International Guidance Standard on Organizational Social Responsibility requires that effective organizational performance recognize social responsibility, including the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD), engage stakeholders and contribute to sustainable development. Millennium Development Goals 2010 notes that the most vulnerable people require special attention, while the World Report on Disability 2011 identifies improved data collection and removal of barriers to rehabilitation as the means to empower PWD. BACKGROUND: The Assistive Technology Device Classification (ATDC), Assistive Technology Service Method (ATSM) and Matching Person and Technology models provide an evidence-based, standardized, internationally comparable framework to improve data collection and rehabilitation interventions. The ATDC and ATSM encompass and support universal design (UD) principles, and use the language and concepts of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). PURPOSE: Use ATDC and ICF concepts to differentiate medical, assistive and UD products and technology; relate technology "types" to markets and costs; and support provision of UD products and technologies as sustainable and socially responsible behavior. CONCLUSION: Supply-side and demand-side incentives are suggested to foster private sector development and commercialization of UD products and technologies. Health and health-related professionals should be knowledgeable of UD principles and interventions.

Provision of assistive technology services method (ATSM) according to evidence-based information and knowledge management.

PURPOSE. This article develops a standardised method for assistive technology service (ATS) provision and a logical basis for research to improve health care quality. The method is 'interoperable' across disabilities, disciplines, assistive technology devices and ATSs. BACKGROUND. Absence of a standardised and interoperable method for ATS provision results in ineffective communication between providers, manufacturers, researchers, policy-makers and individuals with disabilities (IWD), a fragmented service delivery system, inefficient resource allocation and sub-optimal outcomes. OBJECTIVES. Synthesise a standardised, interoperable AT service method (ATSM) fully consistent with key guidelines, systems, models and Federal legislation. Express the ATSM using common and unambiguous language. RESULTS. Guidelines, systems, models and Federal legislation relevant to ATS provision are reviewed. These include the RESNA Guidelines for Knowledge and Skills for Provision of Assistive Technology Products and Services (RESNA Guidelines), IMPACT2 model, international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) and AT device classification (ATDC). Federal legislation includes the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008 and Social Security Act. Based on these findings, the ATSM is synthesised and translated into common and accessible language. CONCLUSION. ATSM usage will improve communication between stakeholders, service delivery coherence, resource allocation and intervention outcomes.

Assistive technology device classification based upon the World Health Organization's, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

PURPOSE: To develop an assistive technology device classification (ATDC) consistent with the Assistive Technology Act (ATA2004), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA2008), International Classification System of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). BACKGROUND: Current assistive technology device (ATD) classifications include: the National Classification System for Assistive Technology Devices and ATSs (RTI/NCS) published in 2000; ISO 9999: technical aids for persons with disabilities - classification and terminology (ISO 9999) published in 1992, 1998, 2002 and 2007 and ICF-based AT classification (ICF/AT2007) published in 2009. OBJECTIVES: To derive 'requirements' for ATD classification from the ATA2004, ADA2008, ICF, ICD-9-CM and CPT. Review the ATD classifications and online databases against requirements. Construct the ATDC to be consistent with all requirements and demonstrate with examples. RESULTS: Existing ATD classifications and online databases are inconsistent with requirements. The ATDC is consistent and has inclusion and exclusion criteria, classification rules, employs ICF coding, extendable hierarchy and language and uses standard device naming conventions. Conclusion. The ATDC has broad application to: provision of AT ATSs (ATSs), characterisation and analysis of AT industries, Federally sponsored research pertaining to AT development and commercialisation, and Federal health insurance scope of benefits.