Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J71566

Journal:


Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 9, 1, 98-159

Publication Website:

http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm

Abstract:

Article describes a research project that evaluated the effectiveness of tailor-and-target and target-only approaches designed to communicate new knowledge to multiple stakeholders of assistive technology (AT). A series of 3 randomized controlled studies were conducted focused on knowledge uptake and use by stakeholders in three AT areas: (1) augmentative and alternative communication, (2) recreational access, and (3) wheeled mobility. Participants represented 5 types of stakeholders in each technology area: researchers, clinician practitioners, manufacturers, consumers, and knowledge brokers/consumer advocates. To develop the intervention strategies, each study selected findings from a peer-reviewed research publication in the respective AT area to be communicated to stakeholders. The tailor-and-target strategy tailored the findings to the five types of stakeholders. Each study used both strategies as interventions that communicated new knowledge. The traditional diffusion method was used as the control. Across the studies, both interventions were effective with the total samples as compared to control. However, they did not differ from each other, suggesting that the added effort involved in tailoring new knowledge might be unnecessary as a general rule. Tailoring appeared to be more effective with some stakeholder types as results showed differential effects between stakeholder groups and across the 3 studies. Overall, the results supported effectiveness of the 2 strategies in raising awareness and also in persuading non-users to using the knowledge.

Author(s):


Stone, Vasthala I., Lane, Joseph P., Tomita, Machiko R., Flagg, Jennifer L., Leahy, James A., Lockett, Michelle M., Oddo, Christine, Usiak, Douglas J.

Participating Centers: