Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assisting Living and Learning Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
2
Independent Researcher, Madrid, Spain
3
Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4
Global Disability Innovation Hub, University College London, London, UK
5
Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Universite Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
6
Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
7
University College London Interaction Centre, University College London, London, UK
8
Assisting Living and Learning Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
Abstract
Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted all segments of society, but it has posed particular challenges for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, those with chronic illness and older people regarding their participation in daily life. These groups often benefit from assistive technology (AT) and so it is important to understand how use of AT may be affected by or may help to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
Objective
The objectives of this study were to explore the how AT use and provision have been affected during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how AT policies and systems may be made more resilient based on lessons learned during this global crisis.
Methods
This study was a rapid, international online qualitative survey in the 6 United Nations (UN) languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese) facilitated by extant World Health Organization (WHO) and International Disability Alliance networks. Themes and subthems of the qualitative responses were identified using Braun and Clarke’s 6-phase analysis.
Results
Four primary themes were identified in in the data: Disruption of Services, Insufficient Emergency Preparedness, Limitations in Existing Technology, and Inadequate Policies and Systems. Subthemes were identified within each theme, including subthemes related to developing resilience in AT systems, based on learning from the pandemic.
Conclusion
COVID-19 has disrupted the delivery of AT services, primarily due to infection control measures resulting in lack of provider availability and diminished one-to-one services. This study identified a need for stronger user-centred development of funding policies and infrastructures that are more sustainable and resilient, best practices for remote service delivery, robust and accessible tools and systems, and increased capacity of clients, caregivers, and clinicians to respond to pandemic and other crisis situations.
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