Author/Authors :
Ito, Yuko Department of Occupational Therapy - Graduate School of Human Health Sciences - Tokyo Metropolitan University - Tokyo, Japan , Yao , Daryl Patrick G. Department of Occupational Therapy - Graduate School of Human Health Sciences - Tokyo Metropolitan University - Tokyo, Japan , Inoue , Kaoru Department of Occupational Therapy - Graduate School of Human Health Sciences - Tokyo Metropolitan University - Tokyo, Japan , Sy , Michael P. Department of Occupational Therapy - Graduate School of Human Health Sciences - Tokyo Metropolitan University - Tokyo, Japan , Bontje , Peter Department of Occupational Therapy - Graduate School of Human Health Sciences - Tokyo Metropolitan University - Tokyo, Japan , Suyama , Natsuka Department of Occupational Therapy - Graduate School of Human Health Sciences - Tokyo Metropolitan University - Tokyo, Japan , Yatsu , Chiyomi Department of Occupational Therapy - Graduate School of Human Health Sciences - Tokyo Metropolitan University - Tokyo, Japan , Perez, Dante A. Occupational Therapy Section - Department of Rehabilitation Medicine - Philippine Orthopaedic Centre, Quezon City, Philippines
Abstract :
Assistive technology (AT) is often required to facilitate the performance of occupations and promote inclusion and reduction of
dependency among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, only 5-15% of individuals in developing countries have
access to AT. This study is aimed at exploring the experience of Filipinos with SCI as they use AT and understand these from
an occupational justice (OJ) perspective. This study utilised a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the
participants’experiences with AT usage. Ten participants were recruited from a hospital and communities within Metro Manila,
Philippines, and interviewed last January 2020. Hermeneutic analysis was done to interpret the shared meaning embedded
within their experiences and was informed by an occupational justice perspective. Exploring the experience of the participants
in using AT yielded four themes, namely, (1) engaging in occupations despite limited opportunities, (2) going to various
locations amidst an inaccessible environment, (3) striving towards inclusion in spite of attitudinal barriers, and (4) securing
needs in light of unfavourable life conditions. Filipinos with SCI deal with numerous structural and contextual factors in daily
life. There has been partial enablement of OJ as they incorporate AT in their daily lives as occupational rights are far from being
recognised and respected. In infusing an OJ perspective to understanding AT use, OT practitioners are bound to identify
problems and courses of action that go beyond traditional service delivery.
Keywords :
Experience of Filipinos , Spinal Cord Injury , Assistive Technology , An Occupational Justice Perspective , SCI , Assistive technology (AT)
