As part of developing the MDDS checklists, I decided to attempt to put my own top twenty design pointers down on paper. The pointers are principles and guidelines split into four sections. I do realise MDDS is a large document to read, for most people, therefore I am reproducing them by themselves here. I am always interested in comments on these. Additions or subtractions welcome. A small aside is that these design criteria can be transferred beyond designing AT systems into other areas of design.

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Design Principles

1. Be holistic in your design thoughts. Instead of concentrating on a particular condition/ medical illness / disability etc think about all the facets of the person and bring these into your design specification.

2. Ensure that the constant referral point is the user or their advocates as well as the commissioning bodies and funding sources.

3. Keep designs simple. The more complex the design the more chance of things going wrong. In larger system you might want to build in a level of redundancy (more than one device monitoring the same task) so that if one system fails the other should take over.

4. Assistive Technology is NOT JUST about technology it is about HOW the technology IS USED, BY WHOM, and WHEN as well as THE PERSON WHO USES IT.

 

The Person

5. Does the person really need technology? Is there an alternative ‘low technology’ solution that would be a better option? Is No Technology the preferred solution? Just because technological solutions exist does not mean they are the correct response for everybody and all situations.

6. Desire: It might seem like a really good solution to you and everyone around, but unless the resident wants the solution then there is little point in continuing with a design. People tend to not use what they do not understand, do not like, find aesthetically unpleasing, find unworkable, and things that do things they do not expect.

7. Does the person want the technology? Often people are given technology because others think the person can benefit from it, without consulting the user and consequently it is never used.

8. Can the person use the technology? Do they really understand or are the pretending in order not to appear less clever.

9. Will the person use the technology? They may need it, and want it but still not use it for a number of reasons, consultation throughout should minimise rejection.

10. Does the person have to adapt to the technology? There is an assumption that people should adapt to technology, just as computers expect users to understand the principle of Windows, yet ideally people should not need to read large instruction manuals they should just be able to use the devices.

11. Make sure the “user” understands what is happening whenever possible. Be Open and honest (transparent) about the limitations of the system.

 

The Building

12. Building Structure: There is little point in putting technology into a home that is structurally unsound or unsuitable for the resident. The building must be suitable before considering technology installations. If in doubt CHECK!

13. Modern technology might not look good to the person having it in their home, so attempt to blend technology into the fabric of the building wherever possible.

 

The Technology/System

14. Needs change and the system should be flexible to adapt to these changes. Do not make your specification too narrow-sighted.

15. Avoid the high-tech approach if at all possible, as this avoids many pitfalls i.e. use technology as a last resort.

16. Some systems such as ones that require actuators (motors that open or close things such as doors and windows etc) can be very costly and can be unreliable as well as requiring a number of structural prerequisites which should be considered before attempting a design. Often repairing actuated devices is most problematic and costly.

17. Hard Wired, Soft Wired versus Wireless systems: Hard wired systems (systems that actually require cable to connect devices together) can require considerable alteration to the fabric of the home. This can be time consuming and costly, as well as being inconvenient to the resident if it is their place of living. Soft wired systems are similar to hard wired ones but the cable is situated on externally (usually covered by a sheath, for easy access (this is the preferred option in many business premises where technology changes might mean rewiring of rooms, which can be done easily as the wires are not covered). Soft wiring should not be considered in premises where the residents might pull the sheaths off the wires leaving them exposed. Wireless systems are better in cases of retrofitting technology (technology fitted after the house is built) as they require little fixing and no structural alterations, but there are a number of issues with wireless technology. It is easy for Wireless technology to be effected by everyday household items, such as vacuum cleaners etc. Wireless technology also can be interfered with and hacked into as well as having a relatively short range. Wireless systems are not currently reliable enough to be used in critical case situations. Hard wiring is the best option in these situations.

18. If a system is required to measure or monitor activity or vital signs consider many alternatives before choosing a system and ensure the desired items are actually monitored effectively. Make sure it is the best for the intended purposes.

19. Just because there is a technology solution does not mean it is the best solution.

20. Magnetic read switches are small and inexpensive items, but can cost a lot of money to install retrospectively. Ideally get these preinstalled in structural elements such as doors and windows.

 

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