Use of Technology by Disabled People2018

Purpose

As part of the Disability Action Plan 2014-2018: Update 2015, a survey was undertaken to understand how disabled people view the roles of assistive and mainstream technology in their daily life, and current funding eligibility and access.1 The survey, including the language and terminology adopted,2 was designed collaboratively with the Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) and government agencies3 responsible for implementing the Disability Action Plan.

Technology that disabled people use

The range of technology that participants use encompasses a spectrum from sophisticated, specially adapted equipment (eg, adapted cars, power wheelchairs), to mainstream devices which the general population uses (eg, reading lamps, smartphones, social media).

Participants are primarily using technology to support mobility, access, and communication; this in turn facilitates performance of daily living activities.

1 Action 9G of the Disability Action Plan. https://www.odi.govt.nz/nz-disability-strategy/outcome-5-accessibility/action-investigate-opportunities-for-technology/ 2 “Disabled people” is the terminology used by the Office of Disability Issues, and endorsed by the Disabled People’s Organisation. 3 ACC, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development

“I use Zoomtext to use my computer and an iPhone with voicer over and magnifiers to sometimes read the screen. I use the app Booklink to read talking books as well as the app Borrow Box to read audible books from my local library.”

Clients use assistive technology for different purposes (%)

Travelling outside of your home

To take part in leisure activities outside of

your homeAt work (paid or voluntary) or at

schoolFor leisure activities or hobbies that you

do at homeTo care for your home

and familyTo communicate,

socialise and make friends and relation-

shipsTo take part in polit -

ical activities

Getting up and get -ting on with your day

To take part in cul-tural and community

activities

Did not answer

74

71

70

67

64

64

58

58

54

14

“I can’t live without technology. it will make my life so hard- need laptop, iPad, cochlear implant, hearing aid and

phone.”

Role of technology in disabled people’s livesAssistive technology enables performance of daily activities for

the greatest percentage of respondents

Assistive Technology makes doing my normal daily activities easier

Assistive Technology helps me at work or school

Assistive Technology helps me to take part in cultural and community activities

Assistive Technology helps me to take part in political activities

59

60

52

35

24

10

15

22

5

4

15

18

5

16

5

13

2

1

3

3

2

4

3

3

4

6

6

6

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree or disagree

Don’t know/ Does not apply Disagree Strongly disagree

Did not answer

“I use two bed frames to aid turning over in bed, shower chair/toilet chair, and bath lift. Most of my assistive tools such as van, I purchased second hand; as well as my power chair. Without these I would be house bound.”

Impact of funding on disabled people’s access to technology

Cost and funding are the biggest barriers to disabled people’s access to technology. While there might be some questions

related to support people (ie teachers, carers) not being knowledgeable about technology, disabled people are less

concerned about this. The proportion of participants who worry about using new equipment is also relatively small.

The cost - Assistive Technology is expensive to buy. It is expensive to run and expensive to maintain and

fixThere is not enough funding

I don’t know what is available

I will have to wait too long

I don’t like to ask for help

I don’t how to find our about Assistive Technology

Some Assisitive Technology is not available in my city or in New Zealand

Other people, like teachers and carers, can't use Assistive Technology

I am worried using new equipment

55

58

26

30

17

18

22

16

5

23

20

32

23

27

27

23

17

14

9

7

12

23

18

17

15

27

20

3

3

2

6

1

4

19

14

4

2

4

14

6

14

16

11

14

25

2

3

9

5

17

12

5

5

27

5

5

5

6

5

6

5

6

6

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree or disagree

Don’t know/ Does not apply Disagree Strongly disagree

Did not answer

“My parents bought the assistive technology for me or I wouldn't be able to afford it.”

Participants themselves are the most common sources of funding. Assessment and processing of funding applications were reported to be, at times, long, frustrating, and confusing to navigate. There

is also perceived inequity in the funding system, where some disabled people access far more supports and services than

others.

You have funded it yourself

Ministry of Health

A Charity, Community Grant or Community

Funding

Workbridge

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)

WINZ or Community link

Ministry of Education

Give a Little (or other CrowdFunding)

Somewhere else

83

35

29

26

24

17

17

10

9

“Disabled people on ACC are able to access adaptive technology easier than disabled people who acquired their disability before birth, at birth or during an illness. We need to have a fairer way of funding so everyone with a disability are treated the same.”

ExpectationsAs direct to consumer information about technologies increase, so would participants’ expectations of what they should have access to. This has implications on the funders (ie ACC, MoH, MoE, MSD), in a situation that many perceive to be unfair, where ACC clients tend to have greater access to assistive technology relative to others. Participants also have increasing expectations of the knowledge and information that health care providers can give them.

“I asked the doctor at the hospital caring for (my mother) what was available as I expected they would know but was told quite abruptly that hospitals don't provide that information and that it is the family's responsibility… It would be good for ACC to determine how hospitals are dealing with this issue and what support could be made available to them to proactively pass on to the families of clients…”

Participants also note that the society and infrastructure also needs to evolve and be assistive technology-friendly.“…access to buildings, public parking, safe and smooth street surfaces in particular for wheelchair users (but also elderly, sight impaired etc.). Our city councils do not fully understand the requirements and should consult the wider disability community to ensure inclusion.”

Summary Assistive technology plays an important role in disabled peoples’

lives. For many, it enables and supports participation at work or school, in cultural and community activities, and in political activities.

Funding is the main barrier stopping disabled people getting the assistive technology they need and the most common source of funding is disabled people themselves.

The opportunities for technology to support disabled people will continue to increase, and people will have increasingly higher expectations of the benefits associated with technology. This

suggests that relevant government agencies need to establish processes to balance expected and actual benefits.