ATOMS Project - Annotated List of Web Sites that include Consumer Evaluation of Assistive Technology 2007
Introduction
This report contains a list of Web sites for consumer evaluation of assistive technology (AT). The sites allow consumers of AT and/or individuals with disabilities to rate AT products, services, and accommodations.
These sites range in content regarding products for:
- Personal use
- Community use
- Technology
- Accessibility
In addition, the sites allow consumer evaluations ranging from slightly consumer driven to almost entirely consumer driven. Some sites provide easy-to-find links to consumer reviews and others require deeper searches.
While these sites were selected as examples of Web sites for consumers to provide input about assistive technology, they also provide information about products and services for individuals with disabilities.
Although this report does not exhaustively list consumer evaluation Web sites, it provides a significant number and a range of sites that elicit feedback from individuals with disabilities and AT users. Features highlighted for each site include Contents, Target Audience, Size, Last Update and Methods of Consumer Evaluation.
Of importance, some of the Web sites that solicit feedback from AT users are managed or owned by AT manufacturers, which could result in information bias. Also, the methods for which the sites elicit consumer feedback demonstrate several different strategies for obtaining feedback and vary in the methods they use to assure some reliable and valid comment.
Annotated List
Assistive Technology, Inc.
http://www.assistivetech.com/successes.htm
Retrieved July 12, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
ATI describes itself on this site in its Company Overview as, “A premier developer of innovative hardware and software solutions for people with physical, cognitive, and speech disabilities,” (p.1). The site contains information for AT consumers regarding a broad scope of AT-related issues. AT consumer stories and videos are posted.
ATI solicits commentaries by asking customers for stories and provides a method to submit information. AT product information and reviews also are available along with a section that allows users to purchase AT products online. Products include augmentative and alternative communication devices as well as assessment and curriculum software.
The Web site also posts funding information links to Web pages that alert the user about the necessary information to include when trying to obtain funding, as well as funding strategy tips. The site includes a timetable of events and links to event information, such as conferences, expos, and symposiums. An index of frequently asked questions, tips, and techniques is included along with a list of links to other resources.
Target Audience:
This site is targeted toward an audience of current AT users wanting to share their thoughts and feelings about their AT use, as well as view personal accounts of other AT users.
Size and Scope:
This is an extensive Web site with about 23 main pages, most of which contain a large list of internal links to further information. The top link on the home page invites ATI customers to provide positive feedback regarding use of its devices and/or software. Below that, 10 profiles detail inspirational real-life stories of how clients have achieved life successes using ATI devices. Other links on the ATI home page include Products and Services, Events, News and an on-line catalog. Funding information is available for people who need assistance finding funding for ATI products.
Last Update:
Last copyrighted in 2006, Assistive Technology, Inc. maintains an up-to-date Web site.
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site provides a direct link for customers to tell their stories about how AT has improved their day-to-day lives. It is also important to note that this is an assistive technology product manufacturer’s Web site and so it may have biased commentaries.
Comments and/or stories are encouraged as evidenced by the “Do you have a story to tell?” link at the top of the Web page. This link leads to a page that reports to the user that his/her story must be 500 words or less and include a picture of the user using the device. The link also provides an e-mail address to which the story can be sent.
Example comments within stories on this site include, “I can give speeches at school now. My teachers use my Mercury for my classes and homework – I have over ten boards for Spanish alone,” and the Gemini “helps facilitate meaningful interaction with typically developing kids.” These statements are referring to communication boards made by the manufacturer of the Web site for two different individuals. It should be noted that each story is told by an individual from Assistive Technology, Inc., which could reflect a biased opinion within each story.
Dynamic Living
http://www.dynamic-living.com/index.html
Retrieved July 11, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
This is an extensive Web site developed by Dynamic Living, Inc. describing assistive technology for easier living in the community as well as providing consumer testimonies of their AT use.
Hundreds of AT devices are available for purchase on this Web site pertaining to special needs (hearing, low vision, memory, etc.), mobility (reaching, sitting/standing, etc.), the home (phones, clocks/watches, etc.), the kitchen (gadgets, baking, etc.), bed and bath (medication aids, personal care, etc.), and leisure (games, cards, music, etc.). Product reviews, tips, and information also are included for each AT device. In addition, each product has articles related to it. The site also contains links to a free catalog, new products, sale items, and gift ideas. A resource link is provided with access to articles, links, and frequently asked questions.
Target Audience:
This Web site targets current and prospective AT users.
Size and Scope:
This is a large Web site with about 50 main pages, most of which contain internal links navigating the user to new products, product information, ordering information, or feedback forms. A focus is placed on products for the home, with “hundreds of kitchen products, bathroom helpers and unique daily living aids.” Links take shoppers to Specials, New Products, Monthly Focus and Clearance Items. The site offers visitors ability to input items in a search field, and also has an e-mail product finder feature for items that aren’t found through a standard search. In addition to numerous links to products used for activities of daily living, there’s a “Just for Fun” category related to games, cards, hobbies, television, music and reading.
Last Update:
Not provided, but the site is copyrighted from 1997-2006.
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
The Web site has a focus on product sales. Thus, it has the potential for biased reviews. However, it appears to provide an open opportunity for AT users to provide feedback on each product. The link titled “Add Your Own Related Tip or Product Review” is located at the bottom of each product Web page under the heading “product review,” and requires that the user enter his/her name, address, and phone number and then provides a blank box for comments and reviews.
Examples of such reviews include
- “My father has received his lifting cushion in only two days. He absolutely loves it. I can’t thank you enough,” about the UpEasy Seat Assist.
- “Thank you for carrying such a wonderful product that really works! I will definitely be recommending this product to all my friends with children!” about the SuctionWare Dining Set.
- “Unfortunately I didn’t find this helpful at all. I tried many different angles to see the recessed part and I cannot get it to work properly,” about the Boxtopper Opens Boxes.
The length of reviews ranges on this site from short to long. Overall, there is not a comment that extends beyond one paragraph.
E-bility Access Travel
http://www.e-bility.com/accesstravel/
Retrieved July 11, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
This Web site specializes in providing information primarily regarding accessible travel within Australia. Though no formal reviews are given regarding AT or travel access, casual mention about users’ opinions regarding AT and different environments can be found within the Web blogs as ongoing commentaries.
Travel information within this site includes:
- An accessible accommodation search
- Access travel guides
- Organized tours
- Accessible group holiday trips
- Accessible world travel by continent
- Articles regarding access travel
Articles, books, links, and a newsletter for and about people with disabilities are available on the Web site. Disability news also can be accessed. There is a section regarding accessible travel elsewhere, though it is not as extensive. A link provides access to services and products including brochures, product ideas, classifieds for second-hand equipment, a shoe swap program, and a directory for motivational speakers with disabilities.
Target Audience:
This site targets individuals with disabilities who want to travel in Australia.
Size and Scope:
The Access Travel - Australia site is currently being redeveloped; however, links on the home page take visitors to archived resources that are as extensive as any full-blown Web site. A fast-find feature allows users to search Australian accommodations and travel guides. Despite being under construction, this site is easy to use and clearly defined.
Last Update:
February 1, 2006
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site asks consumers for to share personal stories, adventures or service initiatives. This is made possible by following the link marked “Resources” and e-mailing the address listed on the bottom of this page.
In addition, this site states that it is “compiling some guidelines to assist contributors” in sending in their comments to the site. It is not clear, however, where these contributions are posted. The site is currently being renovated, which may make contributions of others readable by visitors to the site.
Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech200.shtml
Retrieved July 14, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
This page titled ‘Technology Integration’ resides as a component of a much larger Web site, Education World. The page is not disability specific, but includes information related to all types of technology for a variety of users. The site provides information regarding many aspects of education-related technology and includes articles regarding technology in the classroom, technology message boards, technology site reviews, and technology integration resources. Technology tutorial links also are available on this site to help teach individuals about education technology.
Target Audience:
This page is directed toward educators and contains a few consumer reviews regarding education-related assistive technology.
Size:
This is a large Web page containing more than 60 pages, in addition to more than 100 external links. The technology innovation page is only a small portion of the larger Education World page. The home page is multiple pages long, and there are so many links on it that the names are keyed in small point size to save space. Categories that can be browsed in-depth include Tech Integration, Lesson Planning, Professional Development, Administrators, School Issues, among others. A visitor could spend many hours browsing this site; however, there is both a standard search and an advanced search engine that should enable a user to get straight to the issue he/she wants to discover.
Last Update:
September 26, 2006
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site has a message board located on the left-hand side of the page that provides a large list of topics on which individuals can comment as well as post replies to other individuals’ comments. This link, however, is no longer available and when clicked, a page comes up reporting that the page cannot be displayed.
Rehab Tool
http://www.rehabtool.com/
Retrieved July 14, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
Rehab Tool’s purpose is "to help children and adults with disabilities enhance their lives, increase their independence and productivity, and gain greater social inclusion through the use of leading-edge assistive technology" (p.1). The site offers a search function with “a variety of high-tech assistive and adaptive technology products, augmentative and alternative communication devices, computer access equipment, multilingual speech synthesis and voice recognition software” (p.1). This function allows the user to search for a product, at a cost dependent on the user’s needs, and then direct the user to a secure site where he/she could purchase the product, if found. Other functions of this site include providing news, event information, and a listing of AT resources and links.
Target Audience:
The intended audience of the site is children and adults with disabilities
Size and Scope:
This Web site is about 15 pages; however, it contains more than 40 external links to events, news, and resources. In addition, this site provides many internal links to guide users throughout the site. Each page varies in size from short, one-paragraph statements to lengthy articles. In addition to extensive links for products and services, this site offers ENABLE, which the site describes as “an award-winning video that illustrates how people with disabilities use assistive devices and computers …” Rehabtool.com says its “flagship product” is Vocalize®, a speech assistant developed for people with speech impairments to enable them to speak in a friendly human voice using a computer.
Last Update:
March 22, 2004
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site provides a service to individuals for a price and offers a product purchasing site, which creates potential for biased reviews. However, the forum that is provided is used for consumer questions and advice, which reduces the possibility of biased responses. This forum provides a resource for individuals to have discussions regarding suggestions, perceptions, and questions about assistive technology. Many topics are posted and users are invited to reply. In order to post anything individuals must include a name, e-mail address, subject line, and a question or comment.
Examples of topics posted on this site include,
- “How to decide what technology is right for you?”
- “What funding programs are available to help pay for assistive devices?”
- “What categories of assistive technology can be found?”
Answers from other users range in content. Some responses come in the form of articles, links, or other sources that information can be found on the topic. For example, in response to a question about how to decide what technology is right for you, ICAN (Increasing Capabilities Access Network) posted information about the topic.
Others appear as comments or suggestions. For example, one individual wrote regarding an ergonomic keyboard, asking whether other users had tried one. This individual also posted a link to the keyboard that he was inquiring about. The length of comments on this page range depending on the question asked. Some responses are short and simple, while others are more complex.
Spinal cord injury peer information library on technology (SCI PILOT)
http://www.scipilot.com/_g/home_g/index.shtml
Retrieved July 11, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
SCI Pilot “contains the assistive technology experiences and insights of individuals who have had a spinal cord injury” (p.1). The site provides “advice and strategies from those who have first hand experience” (p.1) with a spinal cord injury.
New stories are added by a submission form on the home page. Two guides are available for download, “A Peer Support Discussion Guide” and ”Teaching Cases for Rehabilitation Students.” Product reviews are available in a number of categories including but not limited to, wheelchairs, personal care, computers, and recreation. A forum for discussion called “Idea Exchange” is available where users can post, read, and reply to messages. Also included are links to a variety of resources.
Target Audience:
This site targets individuals with spinal cord injuries who want to share their experiences, listen to the experiences of others, and would like more resources.
Size and Scope:
This Web site has about 19 main pages each with more than 60 internal links to pages further embedded in the site. There also are more than 30 external sites to resources for individuals with spinal cord injury. The site’s front page includes a tag line that says, “Spinal cord injury peer information library on technology.” Links include Stories, Idea Exchange, Product Reviews and Articles regarding spinal cord injuries.
Last Update:
This site does not provide information as to when it was last updated; however, the last posted “idea exchange” was August 17, 2006.
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site is primarily a consumer evaluation site that allows sharing on many levels by individuals with spinal cord injuries. The site seems to be product unbiased as it is supported as a consumer site by foundations and service providers.
Information can be posted in the form of a story about life with assistive devices, product review of specific products, and an idea exchange where individuals can discuss assistive technology.
Examples of product reviews that have been posted include one on the Tubby II folding bath bench that reads, “This bath bench is great because it folds down flat and comes with its own traveling case.” Others have the opportunity to give additional feedback on devices that have already been reviewed, such as the Tubby II bath bench, or they can provide new feedback on a product that is not listed. This is done by clicking on the product review link and scrolling to the bottom of the page where there is a hyperlink titled “share your feedback.” Users are required to fill out their name, e-mail address, information about the equipment being reviewed, and then a personal report of his/her experience with the equipment.
Ideas also can be exchanged under the Idea Exchange link where topics such as “Use of telephone,” “Video game controllers for quadriplegics,” and “Paint balling,” are included.
Comments posted include “I’m a student about to graduate from San Francisco State University, majoring in Product Design. For my final research project I’m trying to design or re-design a video game controller for quadriplegics.” Responses include links to sites that would help this individual in his/her research. This also is a personal report type of information exchange, which results in varying lengths of reviews.
USA-TechGuide
http://www.usatechguide.org/
Retrieved July 12, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
USA-TechGuide provides a consumer guide to wheelchairs and other related assistive technology as part of the United Spinal Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization. The site also includes a message board with consumer reviews regarding wheelchairs, cushions, scooters, and standers.
A TechGuide is provided as a Web guide to assistive technology manufacturers and providers. This is broken down by category and group. For example, in the category “Adapted Furniture and Fixtures” one can click on a group link going to ”Bathroom,” ”Kitchen,” “Outdoor,” or “Tables/workstations.” This group link takes the user to a list of Web sources that provide devices related to the category and corresponding group. Other available links are wheelchair tips, wheelchair diffusion, wheelchair sports, wheelchair recreation, and accessible travel. Links and resources along with information about the United Spinal Association are provided.
Target Audience:
This site is targeted toward individuals using wheelchairs as well as to wheelchair providers.
Size and Scope:
This is an extensive Web site with about 20 pages. In addition, there are internal links to reviews by users of the technology listed on the site. External links to product companies as well as other resources also are provided. The site acts as a consumer guide with a focus on the user reviews. The home page features a Latest Reviews section.
Last Update:
This site does not provide a date when it was last updated; however, it was last copyrighted in 2004.
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site is primarily a consumer evaluation site that provides a list of most all makes and models of wheelchairs, scooters, cushions, and standers for users to rate their opinion of the product. The site appears to be unbiased, as it is supported by an association for consumer use. The site allows users to rate products from the point of view of the end user, the caregiver, or the clinician. The review guide asks how long the device has been used, strengths and weaknesses of the product, and additional comments on the device.
In addition, the site asks for a Likert scale review of the durability of the product, the ease of product use, whether the product was what was expected, and an overall rating of the product.
Examples of comments by users include “I love the cushion, my only complaint is a problem transferring and keeping the cushion in place,” about the Roho seat cushion. This same individual rated the cushion at 4s and 5s for durability, expectations, ease of use, and overall rating. The ratings on this site can range from very short to very long depending on whether or not the individual includes comments.
Wheelchair Junkie
http://www.wheelchairjunkie.com/
Retrieved July 11, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
Wheelchair Junkie is a Web site by wheelchair users for wheelchair users. The focus is primarily on wheelchairs and wheelchair use with a forum for postings related to wheelchairs. The site also includes a classifieds section for wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories, an article index, a series of stories about wheelchair use, wheelchair movie clips, and a link to the Web site author's book. In addition, this site provides updated information regarding current news that relates to wheelchair users.
Target Audience:
This site targets wheelchair users.
Size and Scope:
This site has six main pages within which are many internal links to forum topics, wheelchair videos, and personal accounts of individual wheelchair use. The site is owned and operated by Mark E. Smith, a self-described wheelchair user extraordinaire. The home page is devoted to current issues; in January, 2007, the first item for discussion was newly-implemented Medicare power wheelchair funding. In its 10th year, this site hovers a bit on the edge with its Idiot Zone – videos of people performing stunts in wheelchairs. Visitors can only enter that link after agreeing to refrain from attempting to replicate any activity seen on the site.
Last Update:
January 12, 2007.
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site is dedicated to consumer evaluation, is owned and operated by a wheelchair user, and does not reflect the opinions or views of wheelchair manufacturers. Thus, the site works to provide unbiased review, opinions and news for wheelchair users.
On the site individuals have opportunities to share their own experiences as well as post reviews of their wheelchairs and read reviews about others’ chairs. In addition, this site lets individuals post equipment that they may be looking for or that they would like to sell. These options are available by clicking on the message board at the top of the page. Example of topics included on the message board are “WheelchairJunkie’s Phat-N-Wack Zone,” which allows users to post and read wheelchair reviews, “WheelchairJunkie.com Pawn Shop,” which allows users to buy and sell wheelchairs, and “Jet-Set ‘Junkies,” which provides tips from other users about travel information and questions.
Examples of comments on this site include, “I’m desperate for a toothbrush with a handle any ideas please I’ve looked all over the net and can’t find one that works for me,” and “I flew for the first time in three years and it was a pleasant experience.” Reviews and comments range in length, but do not exceed one page.
Wired on Wheels(Archived Copy)
Retrieved July 11, 2006; Revisited January 12, 2007
Contents:
Wired on Wheels is a Web site dedicated to accessibility issues pertaining to restaurants. Consumers rate restaurant accessibility based on a rating system specific to the Web site. The site mission is, "to empower people with disabilities so we can all make better decisions about the places we visit. Restaurants are our first frontier." This site highlights an organization as well as a city and discusses accessibility issues. In addition, this site allows users to find a restaurant by locating it by name, city, or state and rate its accessibility as well as look at others’ reviews of restaurants. There is also the option of sending a review to a friend through this Web site.
Target Audience:
This site targets individuals with disabilities.
Size and Scope:
This Web site has six main pages with few external links to other resources. Visitors to the site can find restaurants that have been rated, or rate one they’ve patronized. The site developers’ tag line is, “Together We Can Rate America for Accessibility, One Destination at a Time.” While currently only restaurants are rated, the goal is to eventually expand to other venues. The WOW rating system invites raters to choose from five variations of accessibility: No access, poor access, OK access, good access and WOW! access at the top.
Last Update:
This site does not provide information about when it was last updated; however, it was last copyrighted in 2001.
Methods of Consumer Evaluation:
This site is almost completely a consumer evaluation site allowing individuals to evaluate restaurant accessibility. The site is unbiased, as it is provided by a “not-for-profit organization dedicated to accessibility.”
On this site, individuals are asked to choose a restaurant and rate it on a Likert scale from “No access” to “WOW access” according to getting there/parking, the entrance, getting around inside the restaurant, the restrooms, service and communication, and an overall rating. Additional comments are also accepted.
Each item being rated provides questions to think about when rating that particular item. For example, when rating the restrooms, questions to think about include, “Is the restroom easy to enter?” and “Are stalls wheelchair-accessible, with grab bars on either side of toilet?” A sample comment from one individual regarding a restaurant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin reads as follows, “This is a really cool place in a really old building. But it really sucks for people who use wheelchairs.” Each review varies in length, but overall they do not exceed one paragraph.