Paper short abstract:

Although assistive mobility technologies ideally make an important contribution to the safety, mobility, independence and quality of life for the elderly, elderly people with disabilities in Uganda still have to struggle with various complexities in the acquisition and use of these technologies

Paper long abstract:

Assistive technologies should improve mobility and the life of people with disabilities. For elderly people with physical impairments, the use of assistive technologies has potential to bridge the mobility gap caused by these impairments, compensate for the reduced strength and reduce dependence. Life histories, narratives and observations conducted among 30 elderly people with physical impairments in their rural home setting in Uganda has however revealed that technologies are sometimes acquired out of sympathy, social obligation by the children, or as a form of medical care by health practitioners. And for quite many elderly people, the reasons for acquiring assistive technologies are the same reasons for abandoning them; they are intended to support the reduced strength and provide independence for the elderly, but the same technologies require strength and being dependent on a helper for their use. When combined with the inaccessible environments therefore, not all elderly people are able to enjoy and benefit from the intended purpose of the mobility technologies. This paper interrogates the idea of technology translation in such complex situations and the challenges involved. The paper finally argues for proper assessment of the elderly before assistive technologies are given.