Introduction

Assistive Technology (AT) plays a crucial role in enabling the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities and older adults. However, despite the recognized importance of AT, there is still insufficient focus on the role that users themselves play in assessing AT outcomes. Incorporating the perspectives of AT users into outcomes assessment is not only vital to ensuring that solutions meet their real needs, but it is also closely aligned with the principles of human rights and people-centered approaches.

The Global Report on Assistive Technology (WHO & UNICEF, 2022) highlights the necessity for AT systems that allow users to participate actively in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. This need is further underscored by the GAATO Grand Challenge on AT Outcomes (GAATO, 2022), which emphasizes the importance of documenting the impact of AT from the user’s point of view. A key challenge identified by the Grand Challenge is the lack of best practices for integrating these diverse voices into global evaluation frameworks. The focus has traditionally been on AT product development, with less attention given to user-driven assessments and their influence on service delivery (Smith, 2024).

This Special Thematic Session will bring attention to these gaps and offer a platform to discuss methods for integrating users’ voices into AT outcomes assessment, ensuring their active participation and influence on both AT policy and practice. Specifically, the Special Thematic Session aims to:

• Foster dialogue on the importance of including users in AT outcome assessments.
• Share practical examples and innovative methods for user-centred evaluation in different cultural and regional contexts.
• Promote collaboration among AT professionals, researchers, policymakers, and users to improve global AT systems based on user feedback.
• Identify actionable steps to overcome barriers and ensure users’ voices are central in future AT policy and practice.

References

World Health Organization (WHO), & United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2022). Global report on assistive technology. Geneva: WHO. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/354357/9789240049451-eng.pdf?sequence=1

Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organisations (GAATO). (2022). AT outcomes and impact: A global grand challenge. GAATO. https://www.gaato.org/_files/ugd/10eb9e_046a174cee0e4dcbbb2eda45177e69fb.pdf

Smith, E. M. (2024). Changing the status quo: Evaluating service delivery models to enhance assistive technology provision. Assistive Technology, 36(2), 99–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2024.2312784

Invitation for contributions

In the Special Thematic Session on “Users’ Voice in Assistive Technology Outcomes Assessment”, we welcome contributions on the following topics:

• User-Centred Outcome Measurement: Approaches and tools to capture the AT user’s perspective in outcome assessments.
• Barriers to User Involvement: Identifying the systemic and practical barriers that prevent meaningful user engagement in AT evaluation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Case Studies: Examples of successful initiatives where users’ feedback has been integrated into AT outcome evaluation, leading to measurable improvements in AT services and products.
• Policy Implications: How integrating users’ voices into outcome assessment can influence AT policy, procurement, and service delivery models.
• Ethical Considerations: Addressing the ethical challenges of user participation in AT outcomes assessment, including power dynamics and representation.

Chairs

Angharad Beckett, Centre for Disability Studies and School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, UK, A.E.Beckett@leeds.ac.uk

Emma M. Smith, Maynooth University, Ireland, emma.smith@mu.ie

Pedro Encarnação, Católica-Lisbon School of Business and Economics, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal, pme@ucp.pt