Expounding the rehabilitation service for acquired visual impairment contingent on assistive technology acceptance.

Conclusions: While assistive technology provides a beacon of hope for the visually impaired to live more independent lives, the data indicated that many visually impaired people were not aware of the new assistive technologies and devices that have been entering the market; furthermore, many visually impaired people are of lower income, and therefore cannot afford the technology.Implications for rehabilitationDetermining differences between congenital and acquired visual impairments, and comparing how the two types of visually impaired users have preferences over the assistive technology and devices that they utilise.Experience of life without visual impairment disincentivizes visually impaired people from purchasing new assistive technologies, whereas the appeal of an independent lifestyle incentivizes it.The visually impaired tend to purchase assistive technologies to operate rehabilitation more effectively, and the use of assistive technology and assistive devices, respectively, encourage future participation in rehabilitation.Marketability and cost of assistive technologies are the largest deterrents from visually impaired users from buying new technologies.
PMID: 32363954 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology. - May 3, 2020 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Kan CR, Wang CY Tags: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol Source Type: research