BackgroundTry It is a web-based library of electronic assistive technology (EAT), which enables its members to borrow devices on behalf of their service users and/or for their own professional training.
Their mission is to enable persons with disabilities to have greater control over their lives through access to, and use of, electronic assistive technology (EAT) devices and services; by enhancing their participation in education, employment, family and community activities; and for them to benefit from opportunities that are commonly available to individuals without disabilities. Informed by the Social Model of Disability,
www.try-it.ie, aims to contribute to the removal of social & environmental barriers which currently prevent people with disabilities from participating equally in all aspects of life.
www.try-it.ie is founded on the simple principle that the high level of device abandonment and associated wasted resources may be avoided and the most appropriate EAT found if professionals are informed of the range of options available and people with disabilities are afforded a trial period before purchase, hence ‘try-it’.
An assistive technology (AT) device is defined as ‘… any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.’ For individuals with disabilities, AT is a necessity providing independence, facilitating social inclusion, and enabling participation in opportunities that are taken for granted by individuals who do not have disabilities.
The devices available from this library are specifically selected from a subcategory of AT, Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT). The following categories of equipment are available for loan: Communication Aids, Computer Access, Leisure, Memory Aids, Switches, Visual impairment.
Beneficiaries and Benefits Membership of www.try-it.ie is open to professionals working in the area of EAT in health and education, including: speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and teachers. Information about becoming a member is available from the Members page of the website.
Beneficiaries of www.try-it.ie include:
- A person with a disability, living in Ireland, whose independence, social inclusion, work or leisure outlets can be enhanced by the use of EAT.
- Interested professionals working in the area of EAT who support or provide an EAT service to individuals with disabilities.
- Family, carers, friends of people with disabilities and others who may be seeking information on EAT.
- Policy makers and funders within the disability sector (to include the State and HSE) – due to economic and social advantages of facilitating greater independence.
In February 2009, Temporary, Associate Membership of www.try-it.ie was opened up to new members. Applications from over twenty additional centres have been received to-date (encompassing approximately 100 professionals and 550 EAT service users). These new members include HSE community based Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists; Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists in private practice; Schools and resource centres for adults and children with mild to severe intellectual disabilities; long-stay and acute Hospitals; Nursing Homes; and a Hospice.
Benefits of this initiative for professionals working in the area of EAT include the ability to:
- Gain access to a wide range of up-to-date EAT (www.try-it.ie is not affiliated with any particular supplier or manufacturer);
- Build on their own professional training and EAT knowledge base,
- Enhance their clients’ assessments by encouraging trialling of EAT to facilitate selection;
- Participate in training events;
- Benefit from a Peer Support Network, linking them with other members working in the area of EAT;
- Avail of a significant amount of supporting information, e.g. product reviews, contact details of suppliers/manufacturers, useful links etc.;
- Browse the on-line library catalogue, search for information, and order a loan etc. from any computer with internet access, be they at work or at home, and
- Make more informed and cost-effective decisions.
Benefits to EAT users include the ability to:
- Trial EAT devices prior to making significant time or financial commitments;
- Empower themselves to play an active role in their EAT assessment and in choosing an appropriate device for their own needs;
- Readily inform themselves of the range of EAT options available (the website has been developed to be fully accessible);
- Read reviews of other users, share experiences and support each other through the on-line discussion forum.
FundingInitial funding for www.try-it.ie was awarded to a multi-agency consortium on a two-year pilot basis (until June 2009) under the Enhancing Disability Services Program. Informed by international best practice (especially US), this pilot initiative has proven successful and possesses potential for mainstream operation. Additional funding for July to December 2009 has been provided by the partner organisations, led by the National Rehabilitation Hospital.