Abstract
Introduction: Electronic Assistive Technology including Environmental Control Systems (ECS) is typically considered a specialist area by occupational therapists (Verdonck, McCormack, & Chard, 2011). However, occupational therapists need to consider ECS in their interventions because ECS use has been associated with improved quality of life (Rigby, Ryan, & Campbell, 2011) and autonomy for people with high SCI (Verdonck, Chard, & Nolan, 2011). This poster describes a simple ECS starter-pack, the Generic Electronic Assistive Technology pack (GrEAT), developed by an occupational therapist and intended for non-specialist occupational therapists. Method: The starter pack was based on the desires and experiences of users and potential users elicited in a focus group study. The commercial contents were selected on the basis of an internet search and consultation with experts and suppliers. In addition, supporting audio visual materials were compiled from scratch by the author in order to demonstrate the materials included in the pack. The pack included ECS controllers, mounts, telephones, electric sockets, switches, and an alarm. An information booklet and demonstration DVD included in the pack were compiled during a single person 3-week pilot study of the starter pack. Results:Modifications were made to the starter-pack during the pilot trial and the GrEAT was subsequently customised for 6 people for use in their own homes for 8 week periods. A collaborative approach was adopted during installations. Five of the six participants used the GrEAT successfully and reported feeling enabled through its use. Conclusions: It is possible for an occupational therapist to develop, customise and install a simple ECS starter-pack. It is useful to support such a pack with an information booklet and video clips all of which have been made freely available online (http://hdl.handle.net/10468/579 and http://www.youtube.com/user/MicheleOT/videos).