A free online resource, ‘My Technology Space’ is helping people with acquired brain injury (ABI) consider assistive technology to plan, organise and remember everyday tasks. The resource was developed with Monash University researchers, people with ABI, and other experts.
Project leader Associate Professor Libby Callaway, from Monash University’s Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre and Occupational Therapy Department, said it could also be useful for people who experience other conditions that impact memory or thinking.
“My Technology Space offers information, resources and tools for both people with acquired brain injury and their families, as well as allied health professionals or other assistive technology advisors working with them,” Associate Professor Callaway said.
“Traditionally, people with acquired brain injury and their families rely on product marketing materials and user guides to consider the use of technology for cognitive support after brain injury.
“My Technology Space takes the user through six steps in a process to think about their goals and needs, map out current and possible future supports they could use to help them do everyday activities and consider whether technology could be part of that solution.
“It then offers a tool called the Framework for Evaluation of Assistive Technology (FEAT). This framework asks a range of questions about products across nine domains, such as effectiveness, reliability, cost and risk. FEAT ranks the performance of different products to help with decision-making and identifies where more information might be needed.”
The simple to use website has sections for people with ABI and their families, and allied health professionals or other assistive technology advisors. Each section offers written and video information, checklists and other tools to consider a person’s goals and needs, and the types of supports that may help address these.
