AT Economics

The Economics of Assistive Technology - Health Economics

In November 2006 the Fremantle Collaboration was successful in obtaining a $17,419 University of Western Sydney (UWS) Research Partnerships Program Grant to investigate the economic framework for people with a disability and the provision of specialist equipment for their needs. The Research Partnership Project is entitled Assistive Technology in Australia: Economic Analyses from a user standpoint – methodological implications. Independent Living Centres Australia; National Council on Rehabilitation Engineering and Novita Tech are grant industry partners.

Members of the Fremantle Collaboration presented papers at two state-wide, at four national and at nine international conferences. Other outputs include publication of a book chapter, a number of refereed abstracts and a refereed journal article (in press). Key external links were established with Renzo Andrich of Don Gnocchi Foundation, Italy.

At its third research workshop the Fremantle Collaboration decided to change its name to Assistive Technology Collaboration and to establish a public website.

After significant reviewing of the research and literature, the Assistive Technology Collaboration defines the following: An assistive technology solution can be defined as an individually tailored combination of hard (actual devices) and soft (assessment, trial and other human factors) assistive technologies, environmental interventions and paid and/or unpaid care.

Articles and Papers

 Assistive Technology - A part of the rehabilitation solution poster (PDF - Large File - 1Mb)

 Assistive Technology - A part of the rehabilitation solution abstract (PDF - 18Kb)

 Assistive Technology and Universal Design (PDF - 18Kb)

 Equipped for Living (PDF - 27kb)

 Universal design: Is it accessible? (PDF - 22kb)

 Using the ICF in economic analyses of Assistive Technology systems: Methodological implications of a user standpoint (PDF - 18kb)

Fremantle Collaboration Updates

 Fremantle Collaboration Update March 2008 (PDF - 184Kb)

 Fremantle Collaboration Update July 2007 (PDF - 80Kb)

 Fremantle Collaboration Update December 2006 (PDF - 136Kb)

Posters & Presentations

Universal Design - Why isn't it happening? - Jane Bringolf (Urban Research Centre) & Ingrid Schraner (Social Justice Social Change Research Centre , School of Economics & Finance, University of Western Sydney)

Inhibitors and facilitators of universal design in the built environment with emphasis on new-build dwellings: social, political and economic implications - Jane Bringolf, Urban Research Centre, University of Western Sydney, Confirmation of PhD Candidature Presentation, December 2008.

2009 Technology Symposium Natasha Layton Keynote Address, Independent Living Centre of Western Australia - 24 March 2009