If an assistive technology is to be of help to someone, it must be adopted into regular use. Unfortunately, studies show that, on average, one-third of all assistive technologies are abandoned shortly after purchase. Abandonment is a waste of time, money, and resources and can frequently lead to learned helplessness in the users. Designers, implementers, and purveyors of assistive technologies should take into account the various human factors that promote adoption and continued usage of a technology. This walk will give an overview of the research on the adoption of both assistive and general-purpose technologies. Key aspects relevant to developing world contexts will also be highlighted.
Change is a group of faculty, students, and staff at the University of Washington who are exploring the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in improving the lives of underserved populations, especially in the developing world. Find out more at http://change.washington.edu/
