FS13 Update Report - Methods to Identify Assistive Technology Device Use
(updated June 18, 2003)
The purpose of this field scan was to identify the methods that have been and currently are being used to identify the assistive technology devices used by an individual. The measurement of assistive technology outcomes requires that the devices being used by an individual are properly identified, whether the individual uses one or several devices for different tasks. Both research articles and assistive technology outcomes instruments were reviewed. The review revealed that while no standard method was used, the methods could be grouped into three main categories with some overlap between them: recall, recognition, and a priori defined. Recall methods involve asking what assistive technology devices are used without providing a cuing system. Recognition methods provide a list or cuing system to assist an individual in identifying the devices used. Because the cuing systems vary in the amount of support they provide and how thorough they are, the recognition methods often require an individual to recall items used from within a general category. The third category, a priori defined, refers to situations in which the instrument or the researcher is examining the outcome of a known device (e.g., follow-up on a particular device provided to the individual). The results of the field scan indicate that current approaches do not necessarily ensure that all devices used by an individual are identified.