With disability policy shifting towards consumer driven care, assistive technology (AT) users and practitioners are calling for AT outcomes research to be translated into practical and policy-relevant tools. The new ‘My AT Outcomes Framework’, which combines research evidence and consumer collaboration, has been designed to capture stories and outcomes against seven standardised frameworks for AT costs, participation outcomes, human rights and service delivery.

A collaboration between Swinburne University, ARATA, Occupational Therapy Australia and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, the new Framework and draft tools will be presented at the 2018 Australian Assistive Technology Conference Breakfast Forum on November 15 in Melbourne.

The Framework and its user-friendly web-based tools will be free for AT users to use as:

  • an education and advocacy tool to identify AT needs and possibilities
  • a data collection tool to contribute to the NDIS and other individualised planning processes
  • a ‘policy performance’ measure to see how well policy delivers on key human rights, health, and cost effectiveness principles

Other conference highlights include:

    • NDIS AT director, Dr Lloyd Walker who will deliver several sessions on AT report writing within the NDIS and NDIS participant pathway redesign
    • Latest AT developments including 3D printing, switch and other alternate access, smart home technologies and more
    • Apple and Microsoft presentations will focus on the latest AT and mainstream technologies
    • ‘State of the Science’ information will be presented by Duncan Babbage from the Auckland University of Technology Centre for eHEALTH in New Zealand
    • AT and Human Rights keynotes will be given by the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Alastair McEwin and past Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes

The conference is an opportunity to inform policymakers, practitioners, educators and researchers to hear about what steps are needed to maximise AT outcomes.

ARATA’s Australian Assistive Technology Conference 2018 will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, November 14-16.

For more information visit: www.arata.org.au or go to the conference website via http://aatc2018.aomevents.com.au/