TY - JOUR
T1 - Employment issues and assistive technology use for persons with spinal cord injury
AU - Hedrick, Brad
AU - Pape, Theresa Louise Bender
AU - Heinemann, Allen W.
AU - Ruddell, Jennifer L.
AU - Reis, Janet
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - In this study, we examined associations between assistive technology (AT) cost, underwriting, ownership, use, employment, and employer accommodations for two groups (civilian and veteran) of working age adults (18-64 yr) with spinal cord injury or dysfunction (SCI/D). The project included the development of a survey instrument, and initial findings indicate that AT is important for the employment success of individuals with SCI/D. The majority of the AT devices owned by the respondents were characterized as important to work, and these devices were 3.5 times more expensive. The mean cost of assistive devices was 68% to 124% greater for persons who were self-employed compared with persons employed by others. Education was related to employment status for both groups. In addition, satisfaction with assistive devices was very high regardless of employment status or history.
AB - In this study, we examined associations between assistive technology (AT) cost, underwriting, ownership, use, employment, and employer accommodations for two groups (civilian and veteran) of working age adults (18-64 yr) with spinal cord injury or dysfunction (SCI/D). The project included the development of a survey instrument, and initial findings indicate that AT is important for the employment success of individuals with SCI/D. The majority of the AT devices owned by the respondents were characterized as important to work, and these devices were 3.5 times more expensive. The mean cost of assistive devices was 68% to 124% greater for persons who were self-employed compared with persons employed by others. Education was related to employment status for both groups. In addition, satisfaction with assistive devices was very high regardless of employment status or history.
KW - Activity participation
KW - Assistive technology
KW - Assistive technology cost
KW - Disability
KW - Education
KW - Employment status
KW - Employment success
KW - Health status
KW - Spinal cord injury
KW - Work history
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33746211232&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33746211232&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1682/JRRD.2005.03.0062
DO - 10.1682/JRRD.2005.03.0062
M3 - Article
C2 - 16847785
AN - SCOPUS:33746211232
SN - 0748-7711
VL - 43
SP - 185
EP - 198
JO - Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
JF - Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
IS - 2
ER -