RESNA Annual Conference - 2012

Effects Of Providing Accessibility Information To People With Disabilities

1Rochelle Mendonca, Ph.D., OTR/L, 2Roger O. Smith, Ph.D., OT

1University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19130 2Rehabilitation Research Design and Disability (R2D2) Center, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI, 53211

ABSTRACT

This study reports the effects of providing medical device accessibility information on purchases by people with disabilities. The study deployed a “discrete choice methodology.” Participants chose one device from four options based on cost, external opinions, and accessibility scores. Ninety-eight participants with disabilities were recruited who reported significant preferences for devices with high accessibility compared to devices with low or no accessibility. This study directly links to the new U.S. health care legislation, which requires medical devices to be accessible for people with disabilities.