Assessments Used to Determine Assistive Technology for Individuals With Disabilities

Disability Assessment Tools are critical components used to help determine assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. Many of these tools are in the form of surveys or inventories. Other elements of a thorough assessment include professional physical, neurological and psychological tests and reports prepared by physicians and other licensed professionals. These elements become part of a comprehensive plan for addressing the assistive technology needs of the person with disabilities.

Professional Reports

• Medical assessments, psychological evaluations and neurological tests by physicians and professionals form the first round of assessments used by case managers working with individuals with disabilities to provide a base of information from which surveys and assessment instruments will be developed. When this data is collected, the next step is to begin assessing physical abilities and interests and developing a strategy to acquire any adaptive technology to meet the individual's goals and objectives for independent living, recreation and career.

Functional Status Questionnaire

• The Functional Status Questionnaire is a self-administered clinical tool that was developed by researchers at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and at UCLA. The FSQ provides comprehensive assessment of physical, social and psychological function to screen for functional disability and to keep track of changes in levels of function in patients. The assessment can be administered in about 15 minutes and produces a one-page computer-generated report that is easy to interpret for counselors and clients.

Barriers to Employment Success Inventory

• The Barriers to Employment Success Inventory identifies specific hurdles and obstacles that prevent people with disabilities from obtaining access to employment opportunities and living independently. The assessment takes about 20 minutes and covers 50 items in five categories. The Emotional and Physical categories are useful in helping identify specific adaptive equipment that may be needed to allow the individual to perform job-related tasks. The Inventory also covers personal and financial issues, career decision-making and planning, job-seeking knowledge, and training and education.

Becker Work Adjustment Profile

• The Becker Work Adjustment Profile is an evaluation tool designed to assess work habits, attitudes, and interpersonal, cognitive and physical skills needed by individuals with disabilities to be ready to work or live independently. It is designed for people with a variety of disabilities, including physical disabilities, especially those in institutional settings. The BWAP is a quick, reliable and valid rating scale for identifying which physical limitations need to be addressed for work. The BWAP is administered by an observer familiar with the individual and who is able to observe the person's behavior.

Individual Employment Plan

• The Individual Employment Plan is an intake and tracking instrument that pinpoints 84 employability assets and barriers including seven major employability factors. The assessment evaluates health and physical considerations that may require the use of assistive technology to address. The IEP also addresses personal issues, work orientation, career and life-planning skills, job seeking skills, job adaptation skills, education and training. Vocational assessment instruments help identify adaptive technologies an individual might need, not only to work, but also to live independently.