Assistive Technology Outcome Measures
CHAT Event with Natasha Layton (Australia) September 2025
This CHAT event focused on Assistive Technology (AT) outcome measures, exploring how we can better capture, evidence, and communicate the real impact of AT on people’s lives. The session brought together practitioners, researchers, AT users, service managers, and policy contributors from across Ireland, as well as international expertise from Australia.
The event featured an in-depth presentation and discussion led by Natasha Layton, an occupational therapist, researcher, and global leader in assistive technology systems and policy. Natasha introduced the My Assistive Technology Outcomes Framework (MyATOF), a co-designed framework developed in Australia to support meaningful, person-centred evaluation of AT outcomes.
Why Outcome Measures Matter in Assistive Technology
A central theme of the session was the challenge of demonstrating AT impact in ways that resonate with funders, policymakers, and organisations—without losing sight of what actually matters to people who use AT.
Natasha reflected on this tension clearly:
“We’re often very good at describing the device, but not very good at describing what the device actually enables a person to do in their life.”
Participants echoed this sentiment, noting that many existing outcome measures:
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Focus on single devices rather than lived experience
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Prioritise clinical or system metrics
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Fail to capture cumulative impact over time
Natasha emphasised that Assistive Technology should be understood as a long-term investment, not a one-off cost:
“When we frame assistive technology as an expense rather than an investment, we miss the real story of its value.”
The My Assistive Technology Outcomes Framework (MyATOF)
The MyATOF was developed through extensive co-design with assistive technology users, advocates, clinicians, and researchers in Australia. It was intentionally designed to be flexible, practical, and usable across different systems and contexts.
As Natasha explained:
“This framework came directly from people who use assistive technology saying, ‘These are the things that matter to us – and they’re not being measured.’”
The framework is structured around six interconnected outcome areas.
1. My Supports
This section captures all supports a person uses, not just a single device. This includes assistive products, mainstream technologies, environmental adaptations, and home modifications.
Natasha highlighted why this matters:
“People don’t use one piece of assistive technology in isolation – they use systems of support, and our outcome measures need to reflect that reality.”
Using the ISO 9999 Assistive Products Classification, this approach helps services and funders see the full ecosystem of support that enables participation.
2. My Outcomes (Activities and Participation)
Rather than focusing on impairment or device performance, MyATOF maps outcomes across real-life activities and participation, aligned with the WHO ICF life domains.
Natasha shared an example from the research:
“When people started mapping what they actually do in a day, they realised a single AT set-up could support 30 or 40 meaningful activities. That completely changes the cost conversation.”
This reframing resonated strongly with attendees working in funding and service planning roles.
3. My Costs and Cost Offsets
This section considers not just purchase cost, but:
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Setup and maintenance
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Reduced reliance on paid supports
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Prevention of injuries, falls, or hospital admissions
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Broader social and economic benefits
Natasha acknowledged that cost data can feel daunting:
“You don’t need perfect economic data. Even simple comparisons can tell a very powerful story when you look at outcomes over time.”
4. My Human Rights
Grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this area explores whether AT supports the realisation of rights such as independent living, participation, and access to information.
Natasha emphasised the importance of this lens:
“Assistive technology is not just a clinical intervention – it’s a human rights enabler.”
Participants noted this section could be particularly powerful in advocacy, commissioning, and policy discussions.
5. My Experience of AT Services
This section captures people’s experiences of accessing AT, including choice, timeliness, responsiveness, and whether they received what they actually needed.
As Natasha noted:
“Even the best technology won’t deliver outcomes if the service experience around it is poor.”
6. My Experience as a Customer
Recognising shifts in funding and procurement models internationally, MyATOF also explores how people experience AT systems as customers, not just service users.
This includes questions of transparency, information, and value for money from the person’s perspective.
Reflections from the Discussion
Participants strongly resonated with the framework’s:
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Co-design origins
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Balance between personal and system-level outcomes
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Practical applicability across services
One attendee reflected during discussion:
“This puts language on things we’ve always known were important, but haven’t been able to evidence properly.”
There was strong interest in adapting elements of MyATOF to:
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Support funding and business cases
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Strengthen AT reviews and evaluations
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Align with Irish and European policy priorities
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Complement existing service frameworks
Looking Ahead
This CHAT event reinforced the importance of measuring what matters in Assistive Technology. MyATOF offers a practical, rights-based, and person-centred approach that aligns strongly with co-design, accountability, and impact-focused practice.
As Natasha concluded:
“If we want assistive technology systems that are sustainable and fair, we have to start measuring the outcomes that actually matter to people.”