The Equipment Survey
August 2009 AEAA launches The Equipment Survey.
This Survey, and an optional series of followup interviews, will capture the experiences of any Victorian who uses assistive technology. The survey covers what equipment, modifications or other help is used to manage across various life domains. It asks how easy or difficult life is with this set-up, and whether AT users can envision any changes to their equipment that may alter their experiences of participating in life. Questions around time use, degree of difficulty, and quality of life are asked, to give the researchers information about how people live, what could change, and what difference that may make. Some participants will be asked to take part in an interview, where daily life is looked at in more detail and a panel of assistive technology experts will comment on the nature of equipment used and make suggestions. The panel will not know the identity of these participants at all. This information will be provided back to the participant in a second interview. A team of health economists will be able to use this detailed information to cost different equipment situations and different outcomes.
Reimbursement is offered in the form of $20 for a completed survey, with additional reimbursement and support such as attendant care for interview participation.
Are you an adult living with a disability?
Do you use aids and equipment?
A group of researchers at Deakin University, sponsored by the Aids and Equipment Action Alliance, are conducting research on the experiences of people using aids and equipment. The research aims to identify the most effective way for government to provide aids and equipment.
Can you help?
- Fill in a survey
Participation in this project will involve filling in a survey about the equipment you use and the help you get to do everyday things. This will take between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. The Equipment Survey can be found on-line at http://research.aeaa.org.au. - Participate in interviews
The survey asks whether you would like to take part in an interview series. If you are selected for interview, the researcher will ask you about your equipment, your daily life and your goals and plans in more detail. The first interview will take approximately two hours, and the researcher will meet you wherever is convenient, over one or two visits. A follow up interview will provide you with information from an expert panel about your aids and equipment.
Support to participate in this research
Help is available if you would prefer someone assist you to fill it in. We also provide reimbursement in recognition of your time. Payment for attendant care and travel costs is also available.
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Contact Natasha Layton (Associate Researcher) Email: natasha@footy.com.au Phone: (03) 9523 1136 or 0405 310 266 |
Protocol for dissemination of Equipment Surveys
Electronic distribution
- Information Flyer posted via listservs and electronic networks
- In response to interest, links to the online survey will be emailed, or optional hard copy mailed, by Associate Researcher Natasha Layton
Distribution through AEAA member networks
- Survey Pack (Information Flyer; distribution guidelines; link to online survey) provided to members of AEAA
- Members to take Survey Pack to their organisations
Distribution Guidelines
In order to ensure ethical (non-coercive) distribution of the Equipment Survey, the following guidelines are suggested:
- place flyer in public areas
- hand flyer to potential participants
- place surveys in public areas and direct potential participants to place where surveys are located
- explain that member agency will have no knowledge of who completes survey
Information about monetary reimbursement
Survey participants will be offered recompense ($20) in recognition of their time commitment. Other expenses related to support to compete (such as attendant care time to scribe) can also be reimbursed.
Phase 2: Interview
Interviewees will be offered recompense ($50 per interview) for the time commitment involved as well as any travel and attendant care expenses.
The Equipment Survey information can be printed out and distributed.