Assistive Technology Strategy 2015/16

Overview

Most people want to remain as independent as possible and to stay living in their own homes, even if they experience difficulties as the result of health problems or a disability. At the same time they and their family/carers want to know that they are safe, and can quickly call for help in an emergency.

Modern technology means that there are products and related services available to help provide this reassurance (including Telecare, Community Alarm and other equipment to help with everyday living). These products are known collectively ‘assistive technology'.

Whilst there is evidence that these products and services can play an important role in increasing choice and control as well as enhancing and maintaining independence, the take up both nationally and locally is low.  The Assistive Technology Strategy 2015/16 identifies that there are two main reasons for this:

Awareness

• People are not aware of the range of products that are available and how they can be of help to maintain independence, reduce risks and enable people to manage everyday activities better
• People do not see the relevance of these products to their lives and cannot imagine themselves using them
• People do not know where to go to purchase these products

Confidence in Products

• Mindset – fear of technology or fear that technology will replace physical care
• People want to be able to try products before committing to buying them or have a money back guarantee
• People like to know whether other people in a similar situation have found the products beneficial.  The ability to access customer reviews of products would be helpful to prospective consumers

Why your views matter

To help increase public awareness of the products and services that are available, how they can be of help to maintain independence, reduce risks and enable people to manage everyday activities and where to go to buy them, a public consultation is being carried out to give people the opportunity to comment and share their views.

The council is consulting on the following areas:

• How much people already know about assistive technology products and services
• Where people go to find out information
• How people prefer to access information
• Whether there are any other barriers to increasing awareness and take up of these products and services