ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN DISABILITY: A STUDY OF REHABILITATION ENGINEERING, MACHINE LEARNING AND END-

e-ISSN: 2582-5208 International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science Volume:02/Issue:11/November -2020

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN DISABILITY: A STUDY OF REHABILITATION ENGINEERING, MACHINE LEARNING AND END-USER INTERFACE Dr. Sareeta Behera *1 *1Post

Doctoral Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

ABSTRACT Paradigm shift in terms of Accessibility, Technology and Inclusion in Disability has been prominent since the advent of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Universal Design and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in India. With the increase in the prevalence of impairments worldwide, manifold Engineering Ergonomics, Machine Integration, Artificial Intelligence and End-User Integration with regard to Machine Learning in humans have developed. The present research is a quasiexperimental exploratory study on Assistive Technology in Disability. The core dimensions of the study included insights and end-user interface based on knowledge regarding Assistive Technologies, Engineering Ergonomics, Living Ecosystems Adaptations, Machine Learning Mechanisms and Attitudinal Modalities. Results of the study highlighted on various qualitative and quantitative differences across the cohorts; highlighting on the further needs for system strengthening, ergonomic adaptations, psychosocial attributes and further scope of advancement in terms of engineering and scientific progressions of assistive devices for persons with disabilities.

Keywords: Exploratory Research, Rehabilitation Engineering, Ergonomics, Machine Learning, Disability, Policy-Making.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Clinical impairments, disabilities and thriving for adaptations with the same often go hand in hand. Whether by birth or acquired, disability is often considered as one of the most challenging situations that one encounters during his/her lifetime. The World Health Organization defines Disability as, “an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Disability is thus not just a health problem. It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives." (World Health Organization - Retrieved 2016). The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, recognizes 21 types of Disabilities. The following figure is the representation of the same:

Figure 1: 21 Types of Disabilities as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Govt. of India Disability conditions tend to restrict one’s physical and/or cognitive functioning. This leads to the inception of many barriers including physical, psychological, social, infrastructure-based and economic barriers. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states to, “Ensure the full and equal enjoyment of www.irjmets.com

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all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.” (UNCRPD, 2006). In order to facilitate holistic development, accessibility, interventions, rehabilitation, integrity, survival, protection, participation in all walks of life and society, Assistive Devices tend to play an imperative role. Assistive Technology refers to devices and equipments specifically designed to assist, adapt and rehabilitate persons with disabilities and the elderly populations. Invented and ergonomically designed for different kinds of disabilities, Assistive Devices are usually developed and curated through scientific and evidence based Rehabilitation Engineering. There are various kinds of Assistive Technologies and Devices based on the type of Impairments and subsequent disabling conditions. Some of them are indicated in the following table: Table 1: Types of Assistive Technologies Nature of Impairments

Types of Assistive Technology

Mobility Related Impairments

      • • • • • • • •

Wheel Chair Transfer Devices Walkers Prosthesis Exoskeletons Adaptive Seating and Positioning Screen readers Braille and Braille embossers Refreshable Braille display Desktop video magnifier Screen magnification software Large-print and tactile keyboards Navigation Assistance Wearable Technology

Hearing Impairments

   

Hearing Devices Assistive Listening Devices Assistive Surgical Technologies for Hearing Amplifying Devices

Cognitive Impairments

 

Educational Tools Assistive Teaching Learning Materials

Visual Impairments

Some other important forms of Assistive Technologies also include Alternative Augmentative Communication Systems, Computer Accessibility, and Card Identification Systems – Man-Machine Interface and so on. Assistive Technologies when mediated and facilitated with Rehabilitation Engineering, Access and End-User Interface, play a significant role in all-round development, enabling, inclusion and empowerment of the persons with disabilities. The Present study aimed at the level of insights, usage and psychosocial capital of the end-users or persons with disabilities using assisting devices of different forms.

II.

METHODOLOGY

The present study is a quasi-experimental explorative study adopting both quantitative and qualitative methods of study. A sample of 52 subjects having visual impairment, hearing impairment, locomotor disability and intellectual disability diagnosed as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Council of India Act, comprised of the sample frame. Purposive sampling procedure was used in the study. Survey questions developed by the principal researchers were adopted for the study and data obtained were analyzed quantitatively as well as qualitatively.

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III.

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MODELING AND ANALYSIS

The present study adopted the Models of Rehabilitation Engineering in Practice and Exploratory Methods.

Quantitative Data Analysis through Descriptive Statistics, Neural Networks and Narrative Analogies were used for analyzing the data obtained. Following is a Thematic Algorithm of the present study: Field Study and Active Participant Observation

Questionnaire Development and Validation

Intake Interviews

Use of Narrative and Visual Methodologies

Psychoeducation and Targeted Interventions

Data Analysis and Interpretation Figure 2 Thematic Algorithm of the Present Study The initial phases of the present study began with a field work and active participant observation. The major dimensions, indicators and ground-level scenarios were considered. Following the field work, the second stage of the study was undertaken, viz. Questionnaire Development and its Validation. The questionnaire comprised of 30 quantitative and qualitative questions with 5 dimensions. They were: Retrospective Reflections on Assistive Technologies, Ecosystem Ergonomic Insights, Psychosocial Attitudes, Barriers and Challenges in Machine Learning and End-User Access. The Content Validation Index developed by --------- was undertaken to validate the questionnaire. Items with more than 50% ratings of the CVI Panel were retained in the final version of the questionnaire. Facilitation of insight in terms of cognitive disabilities was done through the use of narratives and visual methodologies. The study further leveraged psychoeducation and targeted interventions pertaining to rehabilitation engineering, universal design, rights based approaches, insight building on Governmental and other systemic approaches for procuring, accessing and using assistive technologies and empowering the persons with disabilities. Data obtained were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods.

IV.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

PART A: Quantitative Analysis: The data obtained were analyzed through descriptive statistics and neural networks.

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Table 2. Descriptive Statistics of Ecosystem Ergonomics and End-User Access

Descriptive Statistics Std. N

Range

Statistic

Statistic

Minimum Maximum Statistic

Statistic

Mean

Deviation

Variance

Skewness

Statistic

Statistic

Statistic

Statistic

Std. Error

EcoEr

52

20.00

10.00

30.00

19.5192

5.58882

31.235

.056

.330

EndUsr

52

17.00

13.00

30.00

22.2115

5.54955

30.798

.087

.330

Valid N

52

(listwise)

Figure 3: Neural Network Analysis of the Variables Ecosystem Ergonomics and End-User Access

Figure 4: P-P Plot of Ecosystem Ergonomics Insights www.irjmets.com

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Figure 5: P-P Plot of End-User Access Quantitative data analysis based on Descriptive Statistics, Neural Networks and P-P P LOTS were done for two variables, viz. End-User Access and Ecosystem Ergonomics Insights.

Part B: Qualitative Analysis and Narrative Analogies: In-depth qualitative Analysis and Narrative Analogies were adopted for Retrospective Reflections of Assistive Technologies, Psychosocial Attributes, Barriers and Challenges in Machine Learning. The subjects shared their reflections on how their experiences was in the past, what types of attitudinal as well as physical barriers they faced and what importance Rehabilitation Engineering plays in holistic empowerment of the persons with disabilities.

V.

CONCLUSION

The present study focused on Assistive Technology in Disability and the impact of Rehabilitation Engineering, Machine Learning and End-User Interface. 5 major dependent variables were studied through a quasiexperimental exploratory study, namely Retrospective Reflections on Assistive Technology, Ecosystem Ergonomics Insights, Psychosocial Attributes, Barriers and Challenges and End-User Access. Quantitative Analysis through descriptive statistics, neural networks and P-P Plots indicated towards and 19.5 and 22.1 mean values in terms of Ecosystem Ergonomics Insights and End-User Access. Neural Networks and P-P Plots also highlighted several interactions between the factors and scenarios. A qualitative and narrative analogy of Retrospective Reflections on Assistive Technology, Psychosocial Attributes, Barriers and Challenges epitomized that the subjects with Locomotor Disability or Mobility Impairments at large, faced a lot of difficulties in terms of Physical Access and Infrastructural Barriers. Gradually with the formulation and implementation of the RPWD Act, 2016 in India, scenarios tended to improve with Universal Design and Ergonomics. Rehabilitation Engineering Designs and Products also decreased issues related to Accessibility and Inclusion. More so, Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities faced issues and exclusion in terms of attitudinal barriers and discrimination. Introduction of Cognitive Assistive Technologies enhanced physical-social-economic-vocational inclusion. With regard to Machine Learning and End-User Access, the subjects indicated that availability of assistive devices depended on whether it was funded by the Govt. and from trusted/licensed Rehabilitation Professionals; Awareness on the developments in the area; machine learning feasibility when a User-Guide or Pre-Orientation Training was given and so on. The present study highlights on the need of further awareness, sensitization, policy level frameworks, up-skilling, targeted interventions and promoting inclusion from a crossdisability perspective.

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VI.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge the persons and families on the spectrum of disabilities who imparted their consent to be a part of the present study; without whose cooperation and reflections, it would not have seen the light of the day.

VII. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

REFERENCES

“Disability�. World Health Organization. Retrieved October 28, 2016.

Albrecht, G. L., Seelman, K. D., & Bury, M. (Eds.). (2001). Handbook of disability studies. Sage Publications.

Davis, L. J. (Ed.). (2006). The disability studies reader. Taylor & Francis.

Scherer, M. J., Craddock, G., & Mackeogh, T. (2011). The relationship of personal factors and subjective well-being to the use of assistive technology devices. Disability and rehabilitation, 33(10), 811-817.

Szeto, A. (2005). Rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology. In Introduction to biomedical engineering (pp. 211-254). Academic Press.

United Nations General Assembly, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, A/RES/61/106, Art. 1 (2006).

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