Gustafsson Louise, Shirota Camila, Di Tommaso Amelia, Hodson Tenelle, Hogan Christy, Bissett Michelle
School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 Jul;20(5):1403-1412. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2453432. Epub 2025 Jan 17.
An assistive technology ecosystem requires co-ordinated collaboration between policy, products, provision processes, and personnel. A needs assessment was conducted of the assistive technology sector in Queensland to examine these components from the perspective of all key stakeholders. This paper reports the findings of the expressed needs of the assistive technology sector as experienced by the AT advisors and suppliers. A sequential mixed methods design supported completion of a quantitative online survey ( = 29) followed by qualitative exploration with assistive technology advisors ( = 9) and suppliers ( = 6).
There was an identified need to address the processes that led to delays or unfavourable outcomes for AT. Despite reporting confidence in the quality of services delivered, the advisors were worried about reduced access to expert consultation and a need to better build capacity and capability in the sector. Access to AT for hire or trial was problematic with conflicting tensions identified by the advisors and suppliers. However, both worried about the impact on the agency of the AT recipient in the process.
There are opportunities to enhance the personnel, provision, and policy aspects of the assistive technology ecosystem in Queensland. Pressure points are: workforce capacity and capability to meet the growing need; finding ways to support the trial of assistive technology required to ensure appropriate recommendations for assistive technology that is fit for purpose; and improving information from the bodies that manage funding to reduce the waste in the provision process.
辅助技术生态系统需要政策、产品、供应流程和人员之间的协调合作。对昆士兰州的辅助技术部门进行了需求评估，以从所有关键利益相关者的角度审视这些组成部分。本文报告了辅助技术顾问和供应商所经历的辅助技术部门明确需求的调查结果。采用顺序混合方法设计，先完成一项定量在线调查（n = 29），随后与辅助技术顾问（n = 9）和供应商（n = 6）进行定性探索。
已确定需要解决导致辅助技术出现延误或不良结果的流程。尽管顾问们对所提供服务的质量表示有信心，但他们担心获得专家咨询的机会减少，以及该部门需要更好地建设能力。顾问和供应商发现，租赁或试用辅助技术存在问题且存在相互冲突的矛盾。然而，双方都担心这一过程对辅助技术接受者所在机构的影响。
在昆士兰州，有机会加强辅助技术生态系统的人员、供应和政策方面。压力点在于：满足不断增长需求的劳动力能力；找到支持试用辅助技术的方法，以确保对适用的辅助技术提出适当建议；以及改善管理资金的机构提供的信息，以减少供应过程中的浪费。
