Voice of Stakeholders | Wireless Tech RERC

Purpose

Identify areas of support for improving wireless technology access and competency in both professionals and people with disabilities.

Mainstream wireless technologies are increasingly used and play an important role in assistive and rehabilitative services for people with disabilities.
There is a lack of in-depth understanding of how people with disabilities and service professionals are using different types of wireless technologies, and the barriers and facilitators to access and effective use.
Existing surveys have gathered broad information on wireless tech use in people with disabilities and service professionals, but lack actionable recommendations.

Conduct a large-scale national survey and focus group interviews with professionals to examine their perception on service quality, barriers and facilitators, and educational and training needs regarding different types of mainstream wireless technology used in clinical and community services.
Conduct a large-scale user survey to examine usage patterns and user experience with different types of mainstream wireless technologies, as well as mobile device proficiency.
Develop actionable recommendations on wireless tech access and use based on findings from the surveys utilizing a Delphi approach with a panel of stakeholders.

A list of recommendations that could enable providers to support people with disabilities in using wireless technologies, and facilitate changes in research, education and professional training, policy, and technology development.
A list of recommendations that could address barriers to digital inclusion for people with disabilities by different stakeholders including wireless technology industry and developers, educators, healthcare, and social service providers, and policy makers.