Abstract
Assistive technology (AT) is often required to facilitate the performance of occupations and promote inclusion and reduction of dependency among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, only 5-15% of individuals in developing countries have access to AT. This study is aimed at exploring the experience of Filipinos with SCI as they use AT and understand these from an occupational justice (OJ) perspective. This study utilised a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the participants' experiences with AT usage. Ten participants were recruited from a hospital and communities within Metro Manila, Philippines, and interviewed last January 2020. Hermeneutic analysis was done to interpret the shared meaning embedded within their experiences and was informed by an occupational justice perspective. Exploring the experience of the participants in using AT yielded four themes, namely, (1) engaging in occupations despite limited opportunities, (2) going to various locations amidst an inaccessible environment, (3) striving towards inclusion in spite of attitudinal barriers, and (4) securing needs in light of unfavourable life conditions. Filipinos with SCI deal with numerous structural and contextual factors in daily life. There has been partial enablement of OJ as they incorporate AT in their daily lives as occupational rights are far from being recognised and respected. In infusing an OJ perspective to understanding AT use, OT practitioners are bound to identify problems and courses of action that go beyond traditional service delivery.
Highlights
Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) face multiple hindrances in daily life such as limited mobility and assistive product equipment, environmental and contextual challenges, and financial issues [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Contrary to how Tanudtanud-Xavier [44] deemed the charitable mindset in society as a barrier to accessing basic services, this study found that receiving the charity of others is a necessary means to acquire Assistive technology (AT), maintain AT, and diminish the unfavourable life conditions they face in their daily life
AT is considered as an instrument to ameliorate the challenges of person with disability (PWD), including those with SCI, through facilitating one’s capability to achieve occupational justice (OJ) and participate in meaningful occupations
Summary
Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) face multiple hindrances in daily life such as limited mobility and assistive product equipment, environmental and contextual challenges, and financial issues [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. These hindrances subject them to a lower rate of economic participation, significantly higher healthcare costs, and societal exclusion [9, 10]. The importance of adequate service delivery to an increased frequency of wheelchair use indoors and outdoors and higher performance of daily activities was stressed [14, 15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
