Howard P. Parette

A Prospective Inquiry into Technology Needs and Practices of School-Age Children with Disabilities

A statewide assessment of the technology needs of 560 school-age children with disabilities was conducted prior to development of a grant application in response to PL 100407. Important trends that were deemed valuable for state planning were revealed. Responses obtained from participants indicated needs for technology in all identified areas of life functioning, with computers being reported as the area of greatest need. Most respondents reported spending less than

The aging war veteran and alcohol abuse: an emerging relationship?

1,000 for their technology; many said that a credit plan would be useful to assist them in purchasing technology. Transportation services were not being provided to a majority of the respondents, and most children had to travel more than 50 miles to receive their technology. Half the respondents indicated the need for more information relating to technology. Implications for other states involved in technology planning are addressed.

Young children with respiratory problems and assistive technology needs: a nursing care perspective.

Research reported in the 1980s suggests combat experience in World War II is strongly related to consumption of alcohol by aging veterans. Whether posttraumatic stress disorder is implicated needs study.

USE OF MICROCOMPUTERS BY YOUNG CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES: A BRIEF REVIEW OF STUDIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS

An examination was conducted of the technology needs of 33 children with respiratory problems ages 0-5 years as part of a larger survey of persons with disabilities. Unmet technology needs were reported for these children in all areas of life functioning. Childrens needs for assistive technology exceeded their usage of equipment and devices in two thirds of the identified areas of functioning. Technology needs were critical particularly in the areas of taking care of the home; using a telephone; using a computer; talking with others; and use of specialized cars, vans, and buses. It was reported for most children that evaluations preceded the provision of assistive technology, and that families were satisfied with technology services received. More than three fourths of the families reported not having had the opportunity to purchase technology on a credit plan, with two thirds of the families showing that such an option would have been helpful to them. Also, more than one half of the children could not try their technology before it was purchased. A need for more information about assistive technology and services was reported for more than one half of these children. Lack of transportation services were reported for most children, with families of almost two thirds of the children indicating travel exceeding 50 miles to receive technology and services. Implications for nurses involved in comprehensive service delivery to these children are discussed.

Assistive technology for persons with emotional problems.

Microcomputers increasingly are being employed with young children having disabilities, although little research has been conducted. A review of available research suggests a variety of questions must be addressed by professionals in rehabilitation to optimize potential applications of this new technology with these children.

Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Issues for Infants and Young Children with Disabilities: A Preliminary Examination

This paper provides a review of the literature on assistive technology for people with emotional problems. Implications for service delivery systems are mentioned.