4.1 Choice Factors

Providing AT devices is a complex process that involves the child/user, but also family members, caregivers, friends and fellow students. The process of acquisition or funding is different from country to country, depending on national legislation but there is a European trend towards a common database coordinated by EASTIN.[1]

Professionals are  aware of all the interaction needed with the social context, how the provision of an assistive device will affect the persons interacting with the child with CP. Assessing the utility of an assistive device should include training of the people who are helping the user with the assistive device. As a consequence, family members, friends, caregivers, fellow students, co-workers, etc., are a critical part of the user’s support. Peers  acceptance is always an important source of encouragement for device use.

Professionals must be trained to be fully aware of these important aspects when developing or providing assistive devices. Under this area we will also include every item related with the knowledge of available resources to the user, that is knowledge of advantages and disadvantages of different service delivery models, knowledge of the role, constraints, and perspective of manufacturers, distributors and suppliers. Among others, we consider the following: Actors/Service Delivery - Standards/ Testing - Legal/Economic

• Evolution of AT policies at international level

• Cost analysis for AT

• Outcome analysis for AT

• Market trends

[1] European Assistive Technology Information Network