Needs Knowledge Barriers and Uses of Assistive Technology by Persons with Cognitive Disabilities

2009

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago will conduct a study to provide a broad-scale overview of how persons with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers respond to assistive technologies, including those in current use, abandoned technologies, and characteristics and features of future technologies. This study will provide critical qualitative and quantitative information for the development teams with emphasis on Alzheimer's disease (AD), developmental disabilities (DD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aims of the study are to: -Assess the need for technology, current knowledge of available technology, use of technology, and barriers to its use from the perspective of people with cognitive disabilities and from their support persons. -Compare specific differences across the three groups (Alzheimer?s disease, Developmental Disabilities, and Traumatic Brain Injury) in needs, knowledge, barriers, and use of technology. -Establish a national Technology Users with cognitive disabilities Group (TUG) and a Support persons' Technology Users Group (S-TUG) to provide continuing input and consumer participation in the Center's research activities. -Evaluate the degree to which information about technological advances increases knowledge and use of technology among persons with cognitive disabilities and the support persons of persons with cognitive disabilities.

Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Other - Assistive Technology

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, General Public

None

National

N/A