Module: Assistive Technology & Complex Needs

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Assistive Technology & Complex Needs
Module Code	HEA1008 (ITS: NS237)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module covers two key areas: understanding people with intellectual disabilities and complex needs, and introducing assistive technology. It examines changing patterns of intellectual disability, associated health and social care needs, and the role of the registered nurse in supporting this group. The module also explores how assistive technology can enhance care and quality of life.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define complex needs
2. Identify how intellectual disability and/or complex needs impacts on functioning and therefore the quality of life of an individual
3. Identify the partnerships required to support people with intellectual disability to meet their potential with a focus on times of transition
4. Define assistive technology
5. Differentiate the various categories of assistive technology
6. Examine how assistive technology can meet individual needs within different models of community living
7. Examine the steps and procedures involved in implementing an assistive technology device
8. Argue the ethical considerations for the use of assistive technologies

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures
Tutorial	4	Tutorials
Laboratory	8	Skills in Assistive technology and complex needs
Seminars	4	student lead seminars
Independent Study	85	Independent study time
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20517	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Martina Conway	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Assignment	100%	Once per semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Definitions
Define complex needs, assistive technology, quality of life.

Quality of Life
Discuss quality of life and focus on genetic and metabolic disorders, and conditions associated with complex needs, for example respiratory conditions.

Categories
Categories of assistive technology

Models
Disability and participation models

Process
The assistive technology process with a focus on assessment

Legislation
Legislation that impacts on assistive technology use

Teams
Assistive technology team, partnerships, families and carers

Professional Practice
Roles of professional

Communication
Alternative and augmentative communication

Transitions
Times of transition and complex needs

Training
Training and support needs for users and carers

Abandonment
Reasons for abandonment or lack of use of assistive technology

Skills
Skills needed to support people in using assistive technology with a focus on skills training

Ethics
Ethical considerations

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Nick Awde: 2022, DIGITAL ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY - A GUIDE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES., 1, Desert Hearts, London, 240, 9781908755544
Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ivan Brown, Maire Percy, W.L. Alan Fung and Karrie A. Shogren: 2017, A Comprehensive Guide to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2nd,
Albert M. Cook and Janice Miller Polgar: 2015, Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice,
Albert M. Cook,Jan Miller Polgar: 2002, Assistive Technologies, 4, 16, Mosby, St. Louis, Missouri, 0, 978-0-323-09631-7
Carnaby, Steven; Pawlyn, Jillian: 2009, Profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: nursing complex needs, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex; Malden, MA,
Elizabeth A. Curtis, Fintan Sheerin: 2019, Leadership for intellectual disability service: motivating change and improvement,
Harris, James C: 2006, Intellectual disability: understanding its development, causes, classification, evaluation, and treatment, Oxford University Press, New York,
Gates, Bob, 1955- editor; Barr, Owen, editor: 2019, Oxford handbook of learning & intellectual disability nursing, 2nd, Oxford University Press, Oxford University Press,
Emerson, Eric: 2014, Health inequalities and people with intellectual disabilities, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
Springer, Nicole Piland, editor; Nelson Goff, Briana S., editor: 2018, Intellectual and developmental disabilities: a roadmap for families and professionals, Routledge, New York,
Fearns, Debra, editor; Welch, Jo, editor; Gates, Bob, 1955- editor: 2015, Learning disability nursing at a glance, Wiley Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex,
Wehmeyer, Michael L., editor: 2017, A comprehensive guide to intellectual and developmental disabilities, Paul H. Brookes Publishing, Co., Baltimore,
Taggart, Laurence, editor; Cousins, Wendy, editor: 2014, Health promotion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Open University Press, Berkshire,

Articles:

Beadle-Brown, J. et al.: 2016, Quality of Life and Quality of Support for People with Severe Intellectual Disability and Complex Needs, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29, 409, 522949
2012: Comorbidities and quality of life in children with intellectual disability, Child: care, health and development,, 47(5), 654, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cch.12873,

Other Resources

1: Shaping the Future of Intellectual Disability Nursing in Ireland,
419600: 1, WHOQOL: Measuring Quality of Life,
https://www.who.int/tools/whoqol: