The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) – in collaboration with California State University Northridge’s Center on Disabilities – is completing a research project about Assistive Technology and ethnic minorities in California.

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) funded a research project entitled “Community Research for Assistive Technology Project” (CR4AT) to examine the use and effectiveness of Assistive Technology and related services among minorities.

The research includes a series of 43 focus groups made up of consumers who are Assistive Technology users (concluded), a vendor and service provider survey (to conclude in September 2004), and a consumer survey (to conclude in September 2004). Some of the preliminary findings are summarized below.

Consumer Focus Groups

• Latino participants reported they made use of a variety of Assistive Technology including canes and computers (including adaptive software), wheelchairs, stress balls and talking devices such as clocks and microwaves
• Funding sources of Assistive Technology devices commonly reported by Latino participants include Medical, Medicare and the California Department of Rehabilitation
• Consumers in the Latino focus groups cited language as a barrier to accessing information on Assistive Technology and Assistive Technology-related services
• Some Latino participants reported they were hesitant to seek services because a fear and distrust of those outside their communities

Vendor & Service Provider Surveys (distributed to 800 vendors and service providers with 84 responses thus far)

• 58 percent of respondents reported they speak Spanish in their business with their customers
• Of the 44 percent of respondents that indicated they carry software in a language other than English, Spanish was the most commonly carried language
• 42 percent of respondents reported they print Assistive Technology instructions in Spanish
• Approximately 44 percent of respondents reported they provide trainings on Assistive Technology products in Spanish

CFILC representative Myisha Reed commented, “Many service providers assume barriers exist that affect minorities’ access to, and use of Assistive Technology.” “There was no data to support or contradict that assumption until now,” she continued. Reed explained the research group is the first to examine this topic in California. She said their effort has produced informative and interesting data.

Aggregate data from the consumer survey portion of the research will include information about their income level and source of income, employment status, the cultural competency of vendor and service providers, and more. Contact Myisha Reed for final research information or with questions at (916) 325-1690 or myisha@cfilc.org.

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