Does your provider look like you? This may matter more than you think. In an analysis of more than 100,000 patient surveys, University of Pennsylvania researchers found that when patients are of the same race as their providers, there was a better chance of receiving higher patient experience scores1. This may be problematic as the health care workforce needs to be further diversified to mirror the racial composition of the country. The Assistive Technology (AT) industry is similarly insufficiently diverse and facing similar challenges. A study from about 15 years ago explored how cultural norms may impact AT adoption. For example, prior research demonstrated that it may be common across Asian and Native American cultures to value and expect a certain degree of dependence on the family and, as such, the use of assistive technology by children may not be critical2,3.
On the other hand, a strong value of many African American families is to fit into their communities, rather than appear different4. Providers who are both culturally competent and responsive and share some common demographic characteristics with clients may improve the likelihood of positive AT outcomes. Providers with lived experience with disability may also offer an exemplary and unique perspective to their clients which helps to maximize their independence.
The home department of the Masters in Rehabilitative Tech at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology is deeply committed to its diversity, equity and inclusion mission. The Department has a long history of hiring and supporting personnel and students with disabilities. The establishment of the Equity, Justice and Inclusion committee asserts a proactive approach to ensuring we are considering diversity across the board. As a part of this new initiative, we have established the AccelerATe Scholarship, which recognizes Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT) students who are from a group that is underrepresented in STEM or health care fields and/or have demonstrated leadership supporting disadvantaged groups, such as racial/ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, individuals with disabilities or those in low-resource settings.
Do you identify as an individual from an underrepresented group? Are you interested in furthering your career in AT? If so, the MRT program may be a good fit for you! Not only is our program offered online in as few as three semesters, but the AccelerATe Scholarship may also reduce your tuition by upwards of 15%. Apply today!
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Written by: Mary Goldberg, PhD
MRT Program Director
Associate Professor
Rehabilitation Technology
Citations
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Takeshita J, Wang S, Loren AW, et al. Association of Racial/Ethnic and Gender Concordance Between Patients and Physicians With Patient Experience Ratings. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(11):e2024583. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.24583
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Goode S. Assistive Technology and Diversity Issues. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. 2006;26(1):51-54. doi:10.1177/02711214060260010501
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Hourcade, J. J., Parette, H. P., & Huer, M. B. (1997). Family and Cultural Alert! Considerations in Assistive Technology Assessment. Exceptional Children, 30(1), 40-44.
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Parette, P., VanBiervliet, A., & Hourcade, J. J. (1999). Family-centered decision making in assistive technology. Journal of Special Education Technology, 15(1), 45-55.