Chapter 6. Gender and Ethnoracial Differences in Ownership and
Use of Assistive Technology

Overview

Although, to date, scientific evidence on gender and ethnoracial differences regarding AT is relatively meager, and the results are mixed, members of the rehabilitation team, including rehabilitation psychologists, should expect diverse perspectives among their clients and the clients' family members. Thus, it is important to be aware of various potential points of view and respect the fact that more than one perspective is legitimate. When working with a client regarding AT, there are several key points to consider: the client's and family's degree of acculturation, their economic status, their language and racial-ethnic identity, the views of their own culture and of the dominant culture, and their level of formal education (Rojewski, 1997). Furthermore, the impact of AT on self-image and self-esteem must be considered (Kohn, Enders, Preston, & SiMotloch, 1983; Rojewski, 1997).

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