Assistive technology: The Norwegian experience

1. Terje Sund, The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service NAV Assistive technology: The Norwegian experience

2. Norway • 5,2 million inhabitants • 19 counties • 385 170 km² • 428 municipalities • 15% of the population >65 years • In 2014: 130 488 users received one or several assistive devices • In 2014, the users constitute 2,5% of the population

3. Assistive technology in Norway • From 1995: a uniform, national system for assistive technology • The aim has been to ensure that the users are given the same level of services and are met by professionals with the same expertise regardless where they live • 18 Assistive technology centres, one in each county • Assistive technology centres have expert knowledge about functional disabilities and their consequences and knowledge about possible solutions, including assistive technology • Cooperation between the assistive technology centres and the municipalities and hospitals • The assistive technology centres purchase and distribute the assistive devices • The assistive technology centres are responsible for repairing the devices

4. The assistive technology system

5. Provision of assistive devices • Assitive devices are provided free of charge to persons whose functional capacity is permanently (more than 2 years) impaired due to illness, injury or physical defects • In addition, the assistive devices must be necessary and appropriate with regard to improving the person’s ability to solve day-to-day practical problems • The users have a right by law to be provided assistive devices if they meet the above criteria

6. Procurement and refurbishment • Procurement framework agreements for the whole country are made with the dealers • Refurbishment: In 2014, 35% of the distributed devices were second hand ones • In 2014 the use of second hand assistive devices represented a value of 777 million Nkr. = 94 mill. Euros

7. Education and training • There are no accredited post graduate education programmes within assistive technology in Norway • The assistive technology centres organise and run courses according to a yearly programme for the municipal service and other partners

8. Systematic follow-up controlls of electromedical devices • Examples: • Powered wheelchairs, every 2nd. year • Lifts, every year • Hoists, every 2nd. Year • Beds, every 4th. year

9. A national Information Communication technology system • A national ICT system (Oracle eBusiness Suite) for registration of the costs and distributions of assistive devices, repairs and follow-up services • Statistics on county and national levels are produced every month

10. To conclude • User involvement • Rights by law • One door – one system • Assistive Technology centres coordinating activities • National procurement agreements with the dealers • Repairs and services, including preventive services • Refurbishment • Courses / educational programs • A national ICT system (logistics)

11. Some statistics - 2014 • The purchase of assistive devices constituted Nkr. 18 755,- (2 350 Euros) per user, and Nkr. 483,- (60 Euros) per inhabitant • 40 662 «ordinary repairs» were performed. 79% of these were performed within 7 days by technicians at the assistive technology centres (70%) or the dealers (30%) • 417 071 assistive devices were provided to 130 488 users (3.2 devices per user). • 76% of the devices were delivered within the target of 3 weeks

12. 2014: Age distribution of users, percentages

13. The distribution of ”cheap” and ”expensive assistive devices in 2013