Perspectives on a mobile application that maps assistive technology resources in Africa
African Journal of Disability
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Perspectives on a mobile application that maps assistive technology resources in Africa | |
| Creator | Visagie, Surona Matter, Rebecca Kayange, George Chiwaula, Mussa Harniss, Mark Kahonde, Callista | |
| Description | Background: Access to assistive technology (AT) is poor in African countries because of a lack of knowledge, resources, services and products. A mobile application, the AT-Info-Map, was developed to map AT availability in southern Africa.Objectives: This article aimed to describe users’ and suppliers’ perceptions of the AT-Info-Map app.Method: Qualitative data were collected in Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and Lesotho, through nine focus group discussions with 72 participants. Participants included AT users, AT suppliers and representatives of disability organisations. Data were thematically analysed.Results: Two broad themes, that is, usefulness of the AT-Info-Map application and technical issues and content, emerged from the data analysis. Subthemes under usefulness focused on the importance of using current technology, convenience of the app, the need for accuracy, responsiveness of supplier to user’s needs, influence on AT market and how the app creates an opportunity for networking. Challenges to download and navigate the app, the need for training in its use, exclusion of those not literate in English and those with visual impairments were subthemes under technical issues and content.Conclusion: The app was perceived as an important step to increase access to AT for persons with disabilities in less resourced settings. The challenges that emerged from the data analysis have led to the development of a web-based system that will complement or replace the app and improve AT information provision. However, the information provided by the app and website is still only a partial solution to improve AT access in Southern Africa. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2019-08-22 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/ajod.v8i0.567 | |
| Source | African Journal of Disability; Vol 8 (2019); 9 pages 2226-7220 2223-9170 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/567/1133
https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/567/1132
https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/567/1134
https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/567/1131
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