Author: Lilian Lazarevic and Darren Button 

Published By: Health Outcomes Australia

Published On: May 2014

This paper presents the key organisational influencers of successful smart assistive technology implementations in a disability service setting.

Category: Policy & Funding Quality & Standards Research

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

Author: Toby Long, Larke Huang, Michelle Woodbridge, Maria Woolverton, Jean Minkel

Published By: Infants and Young Children Vol. 16, No. 4, pp.272-283, Lippincott Williams & Wilkin 

Published: 2003

Infants and toddlers with disabilities and special health care needs (SHCN) have complex habilitative and health care needs requiring multiple services throughout their lives. Providers of services to children underutilize assistive technology (AT) and AT services. This underutilization has a significant impact on how w^ell and how easily the children are integrated in home, school, and community activities. The literature indicates that AT is appropriate when the device (a) is related to specific and clearly defined goals that are meaningful to the child and family; (b) takes into consideration practical constraints, such as the environment and funding resources; and (c) results in the child achieving desired outcomes. Using an outcome-driven model this article outlines a 10-step framework that can be used by service providers to guide them in determining the fit between the child s needs and AT and/or AT services. Components of the framework and critical information needed for decision-making at each step will be discussed. A family entered, interdisciplinary team philosophy is promoted.

Please follow the link below to access the full journal article: 

https://depts.washington.edu/isei/iyc/long_16_4.pdf

Category: International Perspectives Policy & Funding Quality & Standards

Added by Tony Shaw · 9 years ago

Author: Skills for Care and Development (SfC&D)

Published By: Technology to Care UK

Published: 2014

Technology is playing an increasingly important part in the provision of care and support. This Workforce Learning Strategy has been developed by Skills for Care and Development (SfC&D) to support employers as they equip the workforce to utilise technology effectively to promote person centred approaches and independence, choice and well-being in the lives of the people they support. An ageing population, integrated public services, person centred approaches and digital innovations are amongst the key drivers for change in health and social care services in the UK. 1 2 3 This Strategy has been developed to consider the future needs of the workforce specifically in relation to the role that eAT can play in improving the delivery of care services. In particular, the Strategy is intended to support employers across the UK to address the learning needs of their workforce in relation to eAT and to invest more confidently in eAT related training.

A number of initiatives informed the direction of the Strategy, including a review of policy across the UK and a mix of research methods to analyse learning and development provision and its effectiveness in addressing workforce needs. Consultation and engagement events around the UK involved eAT champions, individuals, telecare service managers, care and support providers, occupational therapists, health, housing and third sector workers. The detail of the Strategy was shaped by a steering group of representatives to ensure consistency and consensus across the UK.

The Strategy is aimed primarily at employers and managers within social care services, with an emphasis on action to raise workforce awareness around eAT. It is part of a long term ambition to embed knowledge and skills about eAT in working practices across social care. Whilst the Strategy is addressed primarily to employers, it is highly relevant to other stakeholders such as suppliers/manufacturers and learning providers who also have an important role to play in achieving change.

To access the complete pdf. document please click here:

http://www.ccwales.org.uk/edrms/146453/

Category: International Perspectives Policy & Funding Smart AT General Workforces Considerations

Added by Tony Shaw · 9 years ago

Author: Natasha Layton and Erin Wilson

Published By: Technology and Disability Journal

Published On: 2009

For people living with a disability, enablers such as assistive technologies, environmental modifications and personal care can make the difference between living fully and merely existing. This article is written from the standpoints of people with disabilities and professionals in one Australian State who found their government and service system to be a constraining rather than an enabling force. It presents two key components of policy and practice change in the area of assistive technology: challenging understandings of disability, assistive technology, and the desired life outcomes that assistive technology contributes to; and building a public evidence base through consumer-focussed research. In short, government funding of assistive technology needs to move beyond a limited focus on functional needs and take responsibility for fully equipping people to live the lives they aspire to.

Category: Local Perspectives Policy & Funding Quality & Standards Smart Homes & Environmental Controls

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at the implications of the increasing use of Assisted Living

Technology in the social care sector and to assess the implications for the workforce in terms of job roles, skills, knowledge, training, and support.

Design/methodology/approach – A mixed methods approach was used, through a quantitative electronic survey of staff working in social care (as well as some health care) organisations in England, and three qualitative case studies of local authorities.

Findings – The research shows that the organisations involved in delivering Assisted Living Technology, the types of Assisted Living Technology being introduced, and the way in which it is being delivered, have implications for job roles and the skills and knowledge needed by staff. The associated training and workforce development similarly varies across the social care sector; it is ad hoc, disparate, and provided primarily by individual employers or by suppliers and manufacturers.

Research limitations/implications – There is a need for a standardised Assisted Living Technology workforce development approach which can be used across the social care sector.

Practical implications – The varied nature of Assisted Living Technology providers and delivery models presents a challenge to the development and implementation of a standardised programme of workforce development.

Originality/value – This paper presents the results of new empirical research arising from a quantitative and qualitative study of the workforce development implications of Assisted Living Technology in the English social care sector.

Category: Communication International Perspectives Policy & Funding Quality & Standards Workforces Considerations

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

Category: ATSI Service Delivery Communication Local Perspectives Policy & Funding Quality & Standards Regional Service Delivery Rural & Remote Service Delivery Workforces Considerations

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

An open response from Dr. Alan Finkel, President of ATSE, to the National Disability Insurance Agency’s Discussion Paper - Towards Solutions for Assistive Technology.

Category: Domestic Assistance NDIS Policy & Funding Smart AT General

Added by Tony Shaw · 9 years ago

Category: Local Perspectives NDIS Policy & Funding Rural & Remote Service Delivery Workforces Considerations

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

Category: NDIS Policy & Funding

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

Category: NDIS Policy & Funding

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

More and more research is aimed at tackling the grand challenges of society and addressing complex problems that do not fall within the traditional academic disciplines. The need for an interdisciplinary approach to these complex issues continues to increase. The growing demand for interdisciplinary research is seen in every field and the need to understand how best to approach this does not diminish.

Category: Local Perspectives Policy & Funding Research

Added by Tony Shaw · 9 years ago

Author: Australian Government - Department of Health

Published by: Australian Government - Department of Health

Publication Date: 5th June, 2011

From 1 July 2011, Medicare and DVA Rebates and Financial Incentives were made available for telehealth under the Connecting Health Services With the Fiture Initiative. This article contains information on clinical practice and technology for telehealth.

Category: Communication Local Perspectives Policy & Funding Quality & Standards Workforces Considerations

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

For people living with a disability, enablers such as assistive technologies, environmental modifications and personal care can make the difference between living fully and merely existing. This article is written from the standpoints of people with disabilities and professionals in one Australian State who found their government and service system to be a constraining rather than an enabling force. It presents two key components of policy and practice change in the area of assistive technology: challenging understandings of disability, assistive technology, and the desired life outcomes that assistive technology contributes to; and building a public evidence base through consumer-focussed research. In short, government funding of assistive technology needs to move beyond a limited focus on functional needs and take responsibility for fully equipping people to live the lives they aspire to.

Category: Local Perspectives Policy & Funding Quality & Standards Smart Homes & Environmental Controls

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago

Assistive health technologies have the potential to improve health outcomes and quality of life, reduce healthcare costs and offer solutions for independent living, particularly for the aged and people with disability. Despite the benefits provided by these health technologies, the deployment and use in Australia is limited. The aim of this project was to explore the question: “Can the participation of experts from a range of disciplines in a user-centred network improve the adoption of assistive technologies to enable healthy and fulfilling independent living for people who are aged and people with disability?”

Category: Local Perspectives Policy & Funding Quality & Standards Workforces Considerations

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 9 years ago