Journal article
Electronic assistive technology use in the home (EAT-H) by people with spinal cord injury in Australia
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Vol.Advanced access
17-Jul-2026
PMID: 42467795
Abstract
Purpose
Mainstream smart home technology and environmental control systems collectively referred to as Electronic Assistive Technology in the Home (EAT-H) can provide autonomy for people with spinal cord injury. While the physical and psychosocial benefits of these technologies are recognised in the literature, detailed description of real-world use in the community is needed to inform use. This paper aimed to identify what EAT-H is used by people with spinal cord injury to meet their functional needs in Australia. The study also sought to understand how EAT-H is used and set up.
Materials and Methods
A descriptive qualitative study design used purposeful sampling to invite people with current experience of EAT-H to participate. Demographic data were gathered using an online questionnaire. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted online. Transcripts were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis to describe what technology was used to meet functional needs and to explore how participants set up and used technology.
Results
Thirteen participants aged 29–66 years with injuries acquired 3–31 years ago were included in the study. Participants used EAT-H across five functional areas: emergency safety and security; home environmental control; entertainment; socialisation and communication; and household activities. Three primary themes about how EAT-H was set up and used included EAT-H systems include multiple options, are customised, and can fall short.
Conclusions
Findings demonstrated that customisation is essential because universal approaches cannot meet diverse needs. Optimal use requires combining mainstream smart home technologies with specialised environmental controls and low-tech backups to ensure reliability, safety and functional independence.
Details
- Title
- Electronic assistive technology use in the home (EAT-H) by people with spinal cord injury in Australia
- Authors
- Michèle Verdonck (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastDana Craven - University of the Sunshine CoastBridie Kean - University of the Sunshine CoastJoanna Fowler - University of the Sunshine CoastKatharina Merollini - University of the Sunshine CoastGordana Dermody - University of the Sunshine CoastJacquie Ripat - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Vol.Advanced access
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1080/17483107.2026.2699839
- ISSN
- 1748-3115
- PMID
- 42467795
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Grants
- Technology Enabled Homes for People with Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain injury, 0980028796, National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Health; School of Health - Nursing; Work, Live and Play Research Cluster; School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991246281002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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