Affiliations: Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Program
(Occupational Science), Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western
Ontario, London, ON, Canada | School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health
Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada | Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty
of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Daniel Fok, Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Elborn College,
Room 1011, 1201 Western Road, London, ON, Canada N6G 1H1. Fax: +1 519 850 2469;
E-mail: dan.fok@gmail.com
Abstract: When selected, accepted and used appropriately, low vision assistive
technology devices (ATDs) have the potential to facilitate the performance of
occupations that lead to positive outcomes. Objective: This paper
identifies some low vision ATDs currently used and explores their relative
importance for the performance of daily occupation from participants'
perspectives. Participants: 17 adults (M =56 years
old, SD=15.8) with low vision we0re recruited through a
purposeful sampling strategy. Methods: Through one-on-one semi-structured
telephone interviews, ATD usage data, ranking of perceived importance of ATDs
and verbal data were collected from the participants. Results: A total of
124 devices were identified by the participants of which 104 (83.9%) were
used and 20 (16.1%), mostly adaptive computer technologies, were not. 22
(21%) mainstream aids to daily living were identified (large monitor, large
screen TV, DVD player) and they ranked high in terms of perceived importance by
the participants for daily activities. Verbal feedback from participants
supplemented this finding. Conclusion: Concepts related to usage and
ranking of importance of ATDs for daily occupations are multi-faceted and
complex (e.g. combination of devices used, multiple equal rankings, etc.). The
authors suggested future research opportunities to examine these concepts
through qualitative means.
