Chapter 2. Understanding the Person Behind the Technology

Although AT has potential for increasing the quality of life of persons with disabilities, success is not guaranteed. With the high rate of technology abandonment, and the costs and energies seemingly wasted through misuse and abdication of AT devices, it is important that technology becomes integrated into the lives of those who will use it and benefit from it. One of the best ways to ensure this is for AT professionals to look beyond the technology and physical features of the user and focus on the unique characteristics of that user. Through a thorough investigation of areas associated with levels of use (Scherer, 1996) and application of that knowledge to real world events, AT can result in the outcomes intended: skill acquisition and independence in the lives of persons with disabilities. At the same time, unintentional yet synergistic outcomes such as quality-of-life enhancement can be realized.

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