• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.664-673
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• 2015

The assistive devices for disabled people are being highlighted even in industrial aspects through the policy and support for disabled people, enactment of regulation for the improvement of accessibility of disabled, technological innovation and product development. Recently, internet access with the sense of touch and hearing and utilizing electronic publishing contents and e-mailing are being convenient through the product of ICT development such as screen reader for visually impaired people, braille display, screen enlarger, text converter and others. Even so, in rapidly changing digital media smart era, the accessibility of visually impaired people is still poor and assistive devices and alternative formats are in need of improvement. Therefore, in aspect of the research and development innovation, this study proposes the implementation directions for improvement of accessibility by analyzing the current situation and structure of alternative formats and assistive devices for visually impaired people. As a result, in the future, various types of digital information are expected to be converted into a customized and realistic forms and distributed through a dedicated disability products or smart devices.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.523-530
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• 2021

The study is purposed to investigate the current status of assistive technology devices(ATDs) and to explore ways to improve the ATDs support system for work. As a method, domestic and foreign systems were investigated to derive implications can be applied in Korea based on the analysis framework that compromised Gilbert and Terrell's policy analysis model and research purpose. Next, a survey was conducted on 202 disabled supported ATDs for Work. They were looking for a job or working. We would like to suggest a plan as follows. First, it is necessary to improve the support process centered on consumers. Second, the expansion of items and supplementation of the quality management system should be considered. Third, it is urgent to expand the application qualifications. Finally, the foundation for improvement should be continuously laid. We expected the direction of improvement of the support system will be established.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.85-95
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and availability on items of 2018 assistive devices distribution program for the disabled in the occupational therapists. Methods : A total of 132 occupational therapists participated in the survey from May 1 to May 31. Results : 96.2% of the occupational therapists responded that assistive device is helpful in lives of the disabled people. Especially, they responded that assistive device is the most helpful in 'movement and mobility'. Awareness on an angle spoon/fork with built-up handle and universal cuff was the highest, while a visual signaling indicator was the lowest. Availability on an air cushion was the highest, while a visual signaling indicator and a voice guidance system were the lowest. 67.4% responded that 'sometimes' they use the assistive device and 77.3% responded they will utilize the assistive device. To improve awareness and availability, 43.2% needed financial support, 32.6% needed to add insurance bill and 22.7% needed related education. Conclusion : In the future, this result will be available as a basic data for the education about assistive device for the occupational therapists.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.7 no.10
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• pp.239-249
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to analyse various laws and systems to support IT assistive devices for persons with severe disabilities and draw suggestions for laws and systems on the support of IT assistive devices for the ones in Korea. This study identified the details of laws and systems to provide conveniences for the engagement of the daily life and rehabilitation by persons with severe disabilities in New Freedom Initiative policy of President Bush, the Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Act, the US Disabilities Act and the Assistive Technology Act, and analysed the implementation process therefrom. To increase conveniences and introduce rehabilitation technology for facilitating life conveniences of persons with disabilities, it is necessary to establish the arrangement and application of systems and professional personnel through the demand survey on the need for IT assistive devices of persons with severe disabilities in Korea, the support on the developers of IT assistive device program and hardware, the analysis on the roles of rehabilitation professionals and service experts with respect to the distribution system.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.191-211
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• 2020

The main purpose of this research is to identify limitations and problems in access to information using reading aids devices for the visually impaired and to suggest ways to activate the use of alternative materials using reading aids devices. A survey was conducted on adults with visual impairment in order to identify the factors of limitation in using reading aids devices. The analysis resulted in six aspects of limiting factors in activating the use of reading aids devices. The approaches for activating the use of reading aids devices were proposed by dividing them into policy and operational aspects, focusing on the limiting factors derived. Policy aspects suggested developing low-cost reading aids devices, increasing awareness of the devices, and complying with Web standard guidelines for improving the applicability of the devices, while operational aspects suggested reinforcing hearing-use functions, expanding information services related to reading aids devices, and enhancing portability of the devices.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.581-596
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• 2010

The purposes of this study are to investigate and analyze the level of information and the state of digital divide of the disabled by surveying the demand for information and communication assistive devices, and to provide basic data for plans on the development and utilization of information and communication assistive devices. In order to understand the actual condition and the state of digital divide of persons with disabilities, the differences of possession and accessibility of information technology devices, usage ability, and utilization were analyzed according to the disability profile by using the T-test. The results show that there are significant differences (T=-2.510*) of possession and accessibility of information technology devices with respect to the disability profile, and that the disabled have lower possession and accessibility of devices than the non-disabled. Result of this study's demand forecast shows that about 28% of total respondents are currently using information and communication assistive devices, and a majority (67%) of them answered that the use of assistive devices lend great help to their lives. The proportion of those who have been supported by the government or related organizations with information and communication assistive devices were 36% of the total respondents, and those satisfied with the performance of the devices were 46% of the total responses. Meanwhile, only 36% of total users answered that the operation and use of functions of the devices was easy and convenient, responding that the difficulty of operating assistive devices was the greatest inconvenience. Moreover, the general requests of respondents in regards to the devices were stabilization of device performance, miniaturization of size, simplification of buttons, and reduction of weight.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.132-144
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the association between satisfaction with assistive technology devices and psychosocial impact among some mentally or physically disabled children. Methods: The study subjects were 120 disabled children and their primary caregivers who were using rental assistive technology devices in Gwangju and Jeollanam-Do. Data were collected by structured questionnaire composed of general characteristics of subjects, characteristics related with using assistive devices. Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST 2.0) and Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Device Scale (PIADS). The statistical analysis were performed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlational analysis. Results: The total mean score for QUEST 2.0 was $4.08{\pm}0.66$ (satisfaction with devices, $4.01{\pm}0.70$; satisfaction with the assistive devices service, $4.14{\pm}0.90$) and the mean of PIADS was $1.00{\pm}0.75$ (ability, $0.99{\pm}0.78$; adaptability, $1.04{\pm}0.86$; self-respect, $0.99{\pm}0.74$). The scores of PIADS was statistically significant difference according to usage time of assistive devices. The PIADS was significantly positive correlated with QUEST 2.0 Conclusions: The mentally or physically disabled children reported that the higher level of satisfaction and the more positive impact of psychosocial aspect with assistive technology devices. It would be necessary to perform further studies for addressing the effects of assistive technology devices.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.23-41
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• 2022

This case research investigates on how hearing aids, which is one of disability aids, is becoming a smart device, focusing on the case of Starkey Hearing Technologies(Starkey Inc.). Starkey, founded in 1967, has been a leader in innovating forms and functions of hearing aids, and has recently introduced the world's first hearing aid implemented with AI and biological sensors. In this study, history of disability aids, hearing aids(especially Starkey Inc.'s), smart wearable devices and smart earphones are compared. It has been found that recently, there has been a breakdown of boundaries between hearing aids and smart wearable devices in terms of their functions, since entertainment and life assistant functions are added to hearing aids. Based on this trend, the development model of disability aids and smart wearable devices are derived, and according social changes are discussed.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2013

This study was aimed to examine effects of the assistive technology program that has purpose to maintain and promote employment of persons with disabilities. An administrative data constructed by the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled(KEAD) was utilized. Propensity score matching were used as analysis methods to minish sample selection bias caused by nonrandom sampling. As a result, turnover rate of people with disabilities who used assistive technology device was lower compared to persons with disabilities did not use assistive technology device. Also, in terms of company, for employment promotion effect on the persons with disabilities, company that provided assistive technology device was higher than that of company did not provide assistive technology device. Finally, assistive technology devices were effective in the employment area was confirmed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.535-542
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• 2016

This study was to explore the meanings and follow-up tasks for enactment of Act on Supply and Utilization Promotion of Assistive Technology Devices for People with Disabilities and Seniors(Assistive Technology Act) in Korea. I conducted analysis about contents and establishment process of the Act. The study found meaningful effects ; it provided the basis for supporting assistive technology devices based on the social model, it led to an Implementation of the national obligations such as UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it provided terms related to assistive technology. It is suggested to conduct follow-up studies and to put the efforts to strengthen additional laws for backing up the effective policy for extended support of assistive technology devices and for security of budget, for establishing regional service centers, for phasing of professional qualification, for controlling quality, for establishing an information system, and for promoting industries.