Research on the provision of Assistive Technology in Ireland and.docVIP

Research on the provision of Assistive Technology in Ireland and other countries to support independent living across the life cycle Executive Summary Kevin Cullen, Donal McAnaney, Ciaran Dolphin, Sarah Delaney and Philomena Stapleton Work Research Centre Dublin February, 2012 Acknowledgements The authors are grateful for the contributions of the experts from the other countries covered in the study: Gert Jan Gelderblom, Zuyd University, Netherlands; Sabrina Vincenti and Renzo Andrich, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Italy; Terje Sund and Lise Fjeldvik, Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service; Mary Petersen, Erik Arendal and ?se Brandt from the National Resource Centre on Disability, Assistive Technology and Social Psychiatry of the National Board of Social Services in Denmark; and Karsten Gareis, empirica, Germany. In addition, we extend our thanks to the many people from the assistive technology field in Ireland (both public and voluntary sector) who generously made time and provided much useful information for the research. We also thank Frances Hannon and Ger Craddock, National Disability Authority, for their help and guidance throughout the work. DISCLAIMER The National Disability Authority contracted WRC to conduct this research. The views expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Disability Authority. Executive summary The field of Assistive Technology (AT) concerns the practical tools that can support functional needs of people who experience difficulties linked to disability or ageing. It encompasses a broad spectrum of low tech and high tech technologies, for example, walking frames, wheelchairs, hearing aids, vision aids and computer-based communication aids. These technologies play a crucial role in enabling independent living and access to education and employment. The value for money that public expenditure on AT may represent and its potential to contribute