The match between everyday technology in public space and the ability of working-age people with acquired brain injury to use it

Abstract

Introduction In today's society, the access to and use of everyday technology, such as cell phones and internet-based services, can be claimed as a condition for participation in many tasks in everyday life. This study aims to determine and compare levels of perceived access to and difficulties in the use of common everyday technologies in public space, among people with acquired brain injury compared with controls. Methods The perceived access to and difficulty in the use of 14 everyday technologies were investigated in a sample with acquired brain injury ( n = 59; returned to work, n = 28; not returned to work, n = 31) and matched controls ( n = 52) using the everyday technology use questionnaire. Findings Perceived access to the everyday technologies was generally high. The potential to use each of the everyday technologies independently or with minor difficulties significantly differed between controls and persons with acquired brain injury in eight of the 14 everyday technologies. In particular, difficulties were found among those persons with acquired brain injury who had not returned to work. Conclusion People with acquired brain injury perceive that they have access to everyday technologies commonly used in public space, but the everyday technology difficulty is not always satisfactorily matched to their ability to use it. To enable participation in society, it is important to consider both the accessibility and usability of everyday technology.