3. ATasanInstrumentfortheAutonomyofPersons
withDisabilities
Autonomy is the ability to plan one’s own
life, to enter into relation with the others,
and, together with them, to actively
participate in the construction of society.
Andrich & Porqueddu, 1990
Educazione all’autonomia: esperienze, strumenti,
proposte metodologiche
Europa Medicophysica
4. Autonomy
Autonomy can be considered as a
dynamic process which includes the
perspectives of an individual, his/her
family, the outer circle and the society.
Since autonomy is consequently related to
the quality of human relationships, AT
becomes a tool for relationship, thus for
constructing freedom.
6. Classifications of AT
Aids for personal medical treatment.
Aids for training of skills.
Orthoses and prostheses.
Aids for personal care and protection.
Aids for personal mobility.
Aids for housekeeping.
7. Classifications of AT
Furnishing and adaptations to homes and other
premises.
Aids for communication, information and
signalling.
Aids to handle products and goods.
Aids and equipment for environmental
improvements, tools and machines.
Aids for recreation.
9. Choosing and Using Appropriate AT
Different professionals (physicians, rehabilitation
psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, etc.)
have the competencies which vary from country to country
and from area to area. They generally identify, assess, and
evaluate the impaired function, afterwards they can
propose and discuss with the user and his/her family what
kind of AT is to be adopted. In some countries (mostly in
the North-West area) the services are common which
provide information, guidance, advice, and counselling on
AT to individual end-users, family members, school and
rehabilitation professionals.
10. Choosing and Using Appropriate AT
Some centres can provide assessment and
recommendations, others can prescribe the
AT devices, train the users, and ensure
maintenance. Sometimes, ‘peer
counselling’ in this field is carried out by
persons with disabilities who have achieved
good knowledge and experience in using
AT and who can serve as a model.
11. Four important criteria that help prevent AT
abandonment are:
• effectiveness, or how well the technology enhances the
user’s capability;
• affordability, or how much it costs to purchase,
maintain, and repair;
• operability, or how easy the technology is to employ;
• dependability, or how long the technology operates
without reduced performance or breakdown (Philips &
Zhao, 1993).
40. REFERENCES :
ICTs in Education for People
with Special Needs. Specialized
Training Course
Editor's Notes
Nevertheless, the term autonomy is not a synonym of independence; it does not necessarily imply ‘doing things without
help’, nor is restricted to persons with full cognitive ability only. It is rather an attitude toward life, in some way a
personal characteristic that an individual can achieve and develop.
When appropriately chosen and easily available, the right
technology can maximize their autonomy, promote participation,
academic and career success.
