Delivering the benefits of technology to people with disabilities

Specialised centres for the application of technology to help people with disabilities are now common in most developed countries. The provision of an effective service delivery system requires consideration of the person´s needs, the finance available, and the degree to which the user can be supported both technically and therapeutically. Due to the dispersed nature of the disabled population, this support must often be carried out from a centre, and be delivered to a user living some distance away. Given the level of technology applied, and the improving communications infrastructure, it is reasonable to consider technical remote support mechanisms, where appropriate, and to consider this as part of the equipment and the assessment process itself. This article considers ways of practically implementing this, and looks at the results of limited trials conducted to date.