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Assistive Technologies: Social Barriers and Socio-Technical Pathways

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Nierling

    (Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany)

  • Maria Maia

    (Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany)

Abstract

Against the background of recent international regulation, the role of assistive technologies in the fields of independent living, education, and employment is analyzed in this article to propose a future strategy for a socio-technical perspective on their further development processes. Based on qualitative expert interviews at the European level, the role and scope of ATs in these fields are described for three types of disabilities: visual impairment, hearing impairment, and autism spectrum disorder. The findings show that digitalization processes entail major opportunities and challenges for ATs in all three fields and that further measures are needed to bring technical opportunities to their full potential in adverse social contexts. Regarding future technology development, the authors propose a development strategy focusing strongly on the social context of the devices. Only in this manner, relevant “unintended consequences”, as well as social or ethical concerns, can be identified and addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Nierling & Maria Maia, 2020. "Assistive Technologies: Social Barriers and Socio-Technical Pathways," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:10:y:2020:i:2:p:41-:d:365356
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nora Weinberger & Markus Winkelmann & Karin Müller & Sebastian Ritterbusch & Rainer Stiefelhagen, 2019. "Public Participation in the Development Process of a Mobility Assistance System for Visually Impaired Pedestrians," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Natasha Layton & Emily Steel, 2019. "The Convergence and Mainstreaming of Integrated Home Technologies for People with Disability," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Elizabeth Kendall & Soo Oh & Delena Amsters & Mary Whitehead & Justin Hua & Paul Robinson & Dinesh Palipana & Andrew Gall & Ming Cheung & Leigh Ellen Potter & Derek Smith & Brett Lightfoot, 2019. "HabITec: A Sociotechnical Space for Promoting the Application of Technology to Rehabilitation," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-12, November.
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