#ResearchSpotlight In today’s research spotlight we are sharing the report "Assistive Technology Changes Lives: an assessment of Assistive Technology need and capacity in England.” led by #GDIhub for the Disability Unit in the Cabinet Office, November 2022 & March 2023, with the aim of informing a more integrated approach to AT provision in England. Methodology: guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) tools, the methodology involved a literature review, led by Staffordshire University, a 7,000-person survey of AT access, delivered in partnership with Opinium, and a series of focus groups and interviews with key informants inclusive of users of AT & AT professionals. Findings revealed an AT access gap of 31% of disabled people who do not have the assistive products they need to flourish, thrive, or even participate in daily life. Rich qualitative data identified themes and novel insights including; ➡ Examples of AT delivery systems and specialist services providing quality products & services that have a strong, positive impact on people’s lives. ➡Many processes were slow & stressful for users & providers alike with people waiting months - and even years - to access essential AT products. ➡AT provision was highly fragmented across the country, access greatly varied depending on a person's home or registered GP address, level of perceived need, service criteria & differing funding streams between health, education & social care. ➡There was a notable lack of joined up thinking, & missed opportunity for holistic AT delivery. Plus many, many more findings. The report findings & consequent recommendations aim to support policymakers in identifying actions to strengthen service delivery to better meet disabled people’s needs, improving outcomes for AT users and reducing inefficiencies in the current approach. To find out more from this important report, we are hosting a launch event on the 7th September to share key findings from the methodology & research, including next steps on the road to improving AT access in England. 🔗 Register for the launch event here: https://bit.ly/3qq46Yo 🔗Read the report: https://bit.ly/3qeZGDV #AT #GDIhub #Research #ResearchFindings #Data #AT #Disability #Evidence Disability Rights UK Scope British Assistive Technology Association Cabinet Office
David Lacy
1y
Very relevant and timely, recommendations for change stated. There's a lot in the report but important to take on board for change, it highlights the disparities in assistive technology provision and impacts.
Sezgin Sener
1y
Wish i could
Director at Rahana Life
1yCouldn't disagree with a single word of this report- just like all the other AT reports over the last 30 years. Until we have strategic leadership at Government level it will never change I am afraid.