Evidence and practice

Using assistive technology to encourage independence and well-being in people with complex physical impairments

Rebecca Haythorne Clinical Academic, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and University of York, Community Learning Disabilities Team, St Mary’s Hospital, Leeds, England

Why you should read this article:

• To enhance your understanding of the functional needs of people with complex physical impairments
• To increase your awareness of challenges and the benefits of environmental control systems
• To appreciate the role of occupational therapists in the assessment of people’s occupational functioning

Environmental control systems (ECSs) are a form of assistive technology that can enable people with complex physical impairments to operate a range of appliances and devices by remote control, therefore enabling them to maintain a higher level of independence. The functional independence and improved communication abilities afforded by ECSs can, in turn, increase people’s confidence, self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.

Learning Disability Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2020.e2068

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

rhaythorne@nhs.net

Conflict of interest

None declared

Haythorne R (2020) Using assistive technology to encourage independence and well-being in people with complex physical impairments. Learning Disability Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2020.e2068

Published online: 21 May 2020

Keywords :

disability - diversity - patient empowerment - patients - professional - professional issues - service user - technology