Technology in Rehabilitation: A Conceptual Approach

Abstract

The so called technologies of rehabilitation are part of the strategies that are designed to facilitate the integration of a person with disabilities; their understanding demands basic conceptual approaches on technology, engineering and health, since these fields are relevant to this topic. The initial aim in the present writing is to give precision to the conceptual difference between technology in rehabilitation and other technologies such as biotechnology, bioengineering, engineering of rehabilitation and assistive technology, and the way these areas are related and feed from each other. Secondly, technologies in rehabilitation are explained, attempting to characterize and expose their impact on the functional capacity of people with disabilities. Finally, the relations between technology in rehabilitation, accessibility and personal autonomy are discussed.