Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits

Volume 13, Issue 1

The Role of Research in Influencing Assistive Technology Products, Policy, and Practice”

 Articles in this issue address the ways that research, either internally within an organization or externally through successful private and/or public partnerships, has resulted in new assistive technology (AT) innovations, practices, and policies that help people with disabilities achieve their goals; or highlight research findings that should inform product development, practice, and/or policy, helping to shape emerging and future technologies, strategies, and programs. Authors were invited to draw conclusions about how research has been or can be used by other stakeholders to effect positive change for people who use assistive technology (AT).

Learn more about the contents through an Introduction to ATOB Volume 13 by Guest Editor, Kathleen M. Murphy, PhD, American Institutes for Research, or use the links below to access individual articles.

Download Volume 13 (PDF)

Download Volume 13 (DOCX)

Considering Augmentative and Alternative Communication Research for Brain-Computer Interface Practice

By Kevin M. Pitt, M.S., Jonathan S. Brumberg, PhD, Adrienne R. Pitt, MSP

  • Target Audience and Relevance: The topics outlined in this paper aim to inform multidisciplinary AAC professionals about pertinent AAC and BCI developments to encourage a variety of disciplines in both the public and private sectors to engage in the translation of BCIs for AAC access into clinical practice. In addition, BCI researchers can benefit from the following discussion by using AAC perspectives and research outcomes to advance the development and implementation of BCI technology from existing AAC practices.

School Technology: Moving Beyond Assistive

By Carol M. Michels, Ed.D., MS, OTR/L

  • Target Audience and Relevance:  This work is relevant to administrators in all public education systems including ESAs as it provides a research-based framework for re-structuring AT departments and services to meet student needs in alignment with changing educational environments. It is also relevant to AT practitioners within all public education arenas as it clarifies the various change forces that are leading the way for new structures and new service delivery models. While there is a specific reference to the role of AT departments within ESAs, the information generalizes to all public education environments and structures.

Accessibility User Research Collective: Engaging Consumers in Ongoing Technology Evaluation

By John Morris, PhD, Nicole Thompson, MPH, Ben Lippincott, Megan Lawrence, PhD,

  • Target Audience and Relevance: This work is relevant to rehabilitation researchers and engineers in academic or other non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations interested in connecting consumers with disabilities and technology developers, particularly in the private sector. It is also relevant to the assistive technology industry and to consumer-oriented ICT vendors. This article provides insights and a model for how researchers in non-profit organizations and industry can partner to promote accessibility and usefulness of commercial ICT products and services for people of all abilities.

The authors and ATOB Editorial Board hope that you find these articles useful for your work and advocacy efforts. Many thanks to our ATOB Volume 13 Reviewers – we appreciate your hard work and dedication.

To contact ATOB with comments on this issue or about plans for future issues, please email atob@atia.org or the ATOB Editor-in-Chief at ATOBeditor@atia.org . We welcome your feedback.