Ripat Jacquie D, Woodgate Roberta L
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Work. 2017;57(4):455-468. doi: 10.3233/WOR-172580.
Young adults with disabilities often use assistive technology (AT) to address personal needs, engage in communities and pursue educational and vocational goals. Little is known about their personal experiences and challenges of accessing and using AT for productivity-related activities.
This study aimed to learn from young adults about their experiences and use of AT in supporting their productivity.
Using a qualitative approach, 20 young adult AT users engaged in semi-structured interviews and a photovoice process. Data were analysed inductively.
Three primary themes were identified: I Have to Figure it out Myself, With the Right AT, and Relational Aspects of AT Use. Although participants were experienced AT users, they were often left alone to figure out their emerging needs. They relied on AT to participate in productivity pursuits however stigma around AT use in unsupportive work environments were new concerns.
Young adults with disabilities draw on their experiences of AT use but may need to develop advocacy skills to ensure their needs are met in productivity-related environments. Employers and supervisors should recognize AT as essential to young adult's engagement with productivity-related activities and have an important role in developing inclusive work environments.
残疾青年通常使用辅助技术（AT）来满足个人需求、融入社区并追求教育和职业目标。对于他们在获取和使用AT进行与生产力相关活动方面的个人经历和挑战，我们了解甚少。
本研究旨在了解残疾青年在使用AT支持其生产力方面的经历。
采用定性研究方法，对20名使用AT的残疾青年进行了半结构化访谈和摄影叙事过程。对数据进行归纳分析。
确定了三个主要主题：我必须自己弄清楚、借助合适的AT以及AT使用的关系层面。尽管参与者是有经验的AT使用者，但他们常常只能靠自己去弄清楚新出现的需求。他们依靠AT参与提高生产力的活动，然而，在不支持使用AT的工作环境中，围绕AT使用的耻辱感成为了新的问题。
残疾青年借鉴他们使用AT的经验，但可能需要培养宣传技能，以确保在与生产力相关的环境中他们的需求得到满足。雇主和主管应认识到AT对于残疾青年参与与生产力相关活动至关重要，并且在营造包容性工作环境方面发挥重要作用。
