Assistive technology: The Norwegian experience

Terje Sund, The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service NAV

NAV, 19.04.23 Side 2

Norway

5,2 million inhabitants

19 counties

385 170 km²

428 municipalities

15% of the population >65 years

In 2014: 130 488 users received one or several assistive devices

In 2014, the users constitute 2,5% of the population

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Assistive technology in Norway

From 1995: a uniform, national system for assistive technology

The aim has been to ensure that the users are given the same level of services and are met by professionals with the same expertise regardless where they live

18 Assistive technology centres, one in each county

Assistive technology centres have expert knowledge about functional disabilities and their consequences and knowledge about possible solutions, including assistive technology

Cooperation between the assistive technology centres and the municipalities and hospitals

The assistive technology centres purchase and distribute the assistive devices

The assistive technology centres are responsible for repairing the devices

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The assistive technology system

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Provision of assistive devices

Assitive devices are provided free of charge to persons whose functional capacity is permanently (more than 2 years) impaired due to illness, injury or physical defects

In addition, the assistive devices must be necessary and appropriate with regard to improving the person’s ability to solve day-to-day practical problems

The users have a right by law to be provided assistive devices if they meet the above criteria

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Procurement and refurbishment

Procurement framework agreements for the whole country are made with the dealers

Refurbishment: In 2014, 35% of the distributed devices were second hand ones

In 2014 the use of second hand assistive devices represented a value of 777 million Nkr. = 94 mill. Euros

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Education and training

There are no accredited post graduate education programmes within assistive technology in Norway

The assistive technology centres organise and run courses according to a yearly programme for the municipal service and other partners

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Systematic follow-up controlls of electromedical devices

Examples:

Powered wheelchairs, every 2nd. year

Lifts, every year

Hoists, every 2nd. Year

Beds, every 4th. year

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A national Information Communication technology system

A national ICT system (Oracle eBusiness Suite) for registration of the costs and distributions of assistive devices, repairs and follow-up services

Statistics on county and national levels are produced every month

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To conclude

1. User involvement

2. Rights by law

3. One door – one system

4. Assistive Technology centres coordinating activities

5. National procurement agreements with the dealers

6. Repairs and services, including preventive services

7. Refurbishment

8. Courses / educational programs

9. A national ICT system (logistics)

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Some statistics - 2014

The purchase of assistive devices constituted Nkr. 18 755,- (2 350 Euros) per user, and Nkr. 483,- (60 Euros) per inhabitant

40 662 «ordinary repairs» were performed. 79% of these were performed within 7 days by technicians at the assistive technology centres (70%) or the dealers (30%)

417 071 assistive devices were provided to 130 488 users (3.2 devices per user).

76% of the devices were delivered within the target of 3 weeks

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2014: Age distribution of users, percentages

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The distribution of ”cheap” and ”expensive assistive devices in 2013

57,7

34

5,52,8

9,7

31,1

21

38,2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

<185 euros 185-1250 euros 1251-3125 euros >3125 euros

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ADs provided The cost of the ADs