Understanding and exploring barriers of assistive technology for individuals with mobility disabilities

This study aims to understand and explore the barriers to assistive technology for individuals with mobility disabilities. A survey was carried out among 300 people from both rural and urban areas of northern India with mobility disabilities, selected using a purposive sampling technique. Phase I developed a valid tool to measure barriers, while Phase II applied the tool in a survey. Results showed affordability (0.42 ± 0.32), awareness (0.46 ± 0.48), and accessibility (0.57 ± 0.44) as the most common barriers. The findings may assist product designers and rehabilitation specialists in improving accessibility, affordability, and availability.

本研究旨在探究并厘清移动障碍人群（Mobility Disabilities）使用辅助技术（Assistive Technology）所面临的各类阻碍因素。本研究采用目的性抽样（Purposive Sampling）技术，选取印度北部城乡地区共300名移动障碍人群开展问卷调查。研究分为两个阶段：第一阶段开发了一款用于测量相关阻碍因素的有效工具，第二阶段则将该工具应用于本次问卷调查。研究结果显示，可负担性（0.42 ± 0.32）、知晓度（0.46 ± 0.48）以及可及性（0.57 ± 0.44）为最普遍的阻碍因素。本研究成果可为产品设计师与康复专家优化辅助技术的可及性、可负担性与可获得性提供参考依据。