Global indicators of assistive technology use amongst occupational therapists: Report
from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ (WFOT) Global Survey
Contributors: Liliana 1,2
Alvarez ,
1World
Background
• One billion people worldwide need one type of assistive technology
(AT) or more, but only 10% have that need met 1.
• Assistive Technology access is limited by: skilled personnel to
support provision; affordability, availability, quality, and policy that
facilitates supply and access 1.
• Occupational therapists 2,3
• promote equitable access to assistive technology as a means to
enable participation and well-being of persons with disabilities.
• recognise the critical role of AT as a mechanism by which
people can enact their human rights.
• are among the primary skilled personnel at the front line of AT
provision and advocacy efforts.
• Can provide unique insight regarding AT access and use.
Objective
• To map the status of access and use of the 50 AT priority products
compiled by GATE across the occupational therapy workforce.
• Identify barriers and facilitators to AT access in local and global
contexts.
Methods
• Two surveys were developed and distributed to:
1) Occupational therapists involved in AT provision distributed:
• Between September and November 2017
• Through invitations posted on the WFOT website, the WFOT e-
newsletter, social media and member organization email lists.
2) Member organisations (i.e. national associations; N= 52) lists.
• Data was collected via Survey Monkey®
Figure 1. Participating countries
MO &
individual/s responded
MO responded
Individual/s responded
from MO state
Individual/s responded
from non-MO state
State with MO
State with no MO
World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org
Sarah 1,3
Wallcook , Claudia von Zweck1
Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) 2Western University, Canada 3Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
Results: Occupational Therapists survey (N=1020)
Demographics
•96% (n=975) were qualified occupational therapists.
•Among qualified occupational therapists, 86% (n=839)
graduated from a WFOT approved education programme and
65% (n=659) had been practicing for ten years or more.
•Most practitioners (60%, n=687) were employed in the public
sector.
•The majority either worked in community services (31%,
n=317) or health facilities (30%, n=308).
•Most individuals (87% n=885) practiced in high-income
countries, according to the World Bank Classification.
Assistive Technology Products
•Practitioners reported that occupational therapists are involved
in the provision of all priority products, with the most common
being:
ochairs for the shower/bath/toilet (61%)
omanual wheelchairs for active use (59%,)
omanual wheelchairs with postural support (52%)
ograb bars (51%)
•Practitioners indicated that assistive technology is usually
purchased or received from a supplier such as a
manufacturer, producer, government or charity (88% of
respondents, n=856).
•Only 12% (n=122) of practitioners reported that assistive
technology is custom built or modified using locally available
materials.
Top 5 Barriers to Access
, Rebecca 2
Timbeck , Ritchard Ledgerd1
Results: Member organisations (N=52)
Demographics
• A representative from each of 52 of the 85 the WFOT
member organisations completed the organisation
survey (61% response rate).
• Responses were most frequently received from high-
income countries (61.5%, n= 32).
• Given the limited response rate and over-representation
of high-income countries for both surveys, findings must
be interpreted with caution.
Assistive Technology Products
•Only 55% of respondents (n=29) reported population
needs for assistive technology were met well or very well.
•When responses were grouped by the World Bank
income categories, 15% (n=3) of member country
representatives in low income nations reported access to
assistive technology for population needs was met well or
very well.
•In contrast, 84% (n=26) indicated the needs were very
well met.
Recommendations
• WFOT will advocate for access to AT as a fundamental right of
people with disabilities worldwide and will participate in
international initiatives that address the barriers to access.
• WFOT will advocate for the role of occupational therapists in the
AT process and their need for training and contextually relevant
strategies and supports.
• WFOT will develop collaborative initiatives to understand and
address the needs of Member Organisations pertaining to AT
development, prescription, procurement, and implementation
processes that are contextually relevant and culturally safe.
References
1. World Health Organization. Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE). Available
from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology [Accessed 3
May 2019]
2. World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Mackenzie L, Coppola S, Alvarez L, Cibule L,
Malsev S, Loh SY, Mlambo T, Ikiugu M, Pihlar Z, Sriphetcharawut S, Baptiste S, Ledgerd R.
International occupational therapy research priorities: A Delphi study. OTJR: Occupation,
Participation and Health 2017;37(2): 72-81.
3. World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Position Statement: Occupational Therapy
and Assistive Technology. Available from: https://www.wfot.org/resources/occupational-
therapy-and-assistive-technology [Accessed 3 May 2019]
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