Information-sharing and evidence base within assistive technology: some current tools

Assistive technology is recognised as a specialism across the sectors (Department of Health, 2007; Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, 2005) and to this end it requires the acquisition and retention of specialist knowledge within a changing and progressive environment. A number of tools help practitioners and researchers to maintain and share this knowledge and these tools are growing and evolving with time. These can be divided into traditional tools, first generation ICT and second generation ICT. Traditional tools include journals (such as the one you are reading), conferences (such as the UK RAATE conference, www.raate.org.uk), paper-based literature searching and face-to-face meetings. First generation ICT tools include ‘static’ web pages, email lists and database-based literature searching. Second generation ICT tools include Web 2.0 style usergenerated content, including blogs, dynamic web, Wikis (peer-editable websites) and online and collaborative literature searching and publication.