Enhancing Equitable Access to Assistive Technologies in Canada: Insights from Citizens and Stakeholders

Abstract

RÉSUMÉLes besoins en technologies d’assistance augmentent au Canada, mais l’accès à ces technologies est inégal et fragmentaire, ce qui ferait en sorte que des besoins demeureraient non comblés. Cette étude visait à identifier les valeurs et préférences des citoyens concernant les moyens à utiliser pour favoriser un accès équitable aux technologies d’assistance. Elle visait également à impliquer les décideurs politiques, les parties prenantes et les chercheurs dans des discussions afin d’élaborer des actions dans ce domaine. Au printemps 2017, nous avons organisé trois panels de citoyens et un dialogue avec les parties prenantes. Les principales conclusions des panels ont été incluses dans une synthèse qui a été partagée avec les participants du dialogue. Trente-sept citoyens ont participé aux panels et ont souligné l’importance de l’accès à de l’information fiable, d’un accès équitable aux technologies d’assistance (et ce, quelle que soit la capacité de payer), et de la collaboration. Les vingt-deux participants au dialogue ont fait valoir la nécessité d’un cadre d’orientation pour appuyer l’évolution des pratiques dans l’ensemble au pays. Le cadre d’orientation proposé combinerait des politiques et programmes simplifiés incluant la collecte et l’évaluation de données robustes pour appuyer l’innovation et l’imputabilité à travers le pays.

It is time for a national strategy on equitable access to assistive technology in Canada

“…Programs and services are variable and characterized by multiple access barriers, coverage disparities, and unmet needs. 4,[19][20][21] Twenty-six percent of Canadians 15 years old and older living with a disability experienced unmet needs for disability supports (i.e., aids, devices, and medications). 2 There is no overarching federal legislation or policy covering the needs of people with disabilities and disability supports such as AT.…”

“…Inequitable access, including system navigation problems and coverage disparities, and inefficiencies (e.g., excess time and money spent by users and healthcare providers) have been reported by citizens, representatives from disability, older adult, and caregiver advocacy groups, professional organizations, healthcare providers, and industry, policy-makers, and academics. 5,20,[23][24][25][26] Owing to difficulties navigating this complex system, we launched an on-line database resource called AccessATCanada to assist AT users, caregivers, and providers to search for programs and services. 27 Our extensive research, involving interviews and dialogues with citizens, policy-makers, and other stakeholders (Table 1), generated four themes pertaining to the challenges of enhancing equitable AT access in Canada 5 (Figure 1).…”

Web-Based System Navigation Database to Support Equitable Access to Assistive Technology: Usability Testing Study

“…Access to AT programs has been described as fragmented and complex to navigate and uncoordinated between national, subnational, and local levels [4]. Adding to this complexity is the fact that programs are highly variable regarding the range of ATs that can be covered, eligibility criteria, and service-delivery mechanisms used [5]. Some Canadian jurisdictions, such as British Columbia, have introduced "one-stop" approaches or single-entry point systems, which are typically organizations that perform a range of activities, such as assessments, training, and AT, as well as manage access to funding sources [6].…”

Enhancing the use of technology in the long-term care sector in Canada: Insights from citizen panels and a national stakeholder dialogue

“…Enhancing the use of technology has been identified as a key part of these efforts given its potential to help address some of the biggest challenges in the sector and to improve the health and well-being of residents and caregivers. 3 , 5 , 7 , 14 , 15 For example, technology can and has been used to facilitate and enhance communication between facilities, care providers and caregivers, family, and friends (eg, through electronic health records), enhance safety of residents (eg, through location tracking, remote-monitoring technologies, and monitoring use of appliances), and make rooms more accessible (eg, using “Google” or “Alexa” to activate or adjust basic room features such as lights, blinds, temperature, and entertainment). 16 , 17 However, many long-term care homes lack adequate internet bandwidth and cyber security and support to enable many of these technologies.…”