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 Context/Environment - The context is where the activity is being performed, under
what conditions.
It includes the specifics of the setting such as the physical setting
(school, home, community, work), the related tasks, the set of
governing rules and constraints (e.g. No
talking in class, 20 minutes to complete in class assignments,
etc.) the level of formality,
the physical factors (e.g. light, sound, heat, proximity of others)
and social/cultural context (e.g. being part of a group, needing
to interact and participate, etc.)
In the example, Shelly needs to complete some writing activities
in classrooms. In some classes there are specific time limits.
In others, she can take the work home to finish it. She must
move from
class to class throughout the day and is asked to provide written
assignments about three times each day.
Human -
This is one of the most complex aspects of the model. The human
is
affected by many
factors.
The first aspect addressed by the model
is the basic capabilities of the individual, which Christiansen
and Baum (1997) call intrinsic enablers. Intrinsic enablers
can be grouped
into:
- sensory
input
- central
processing
- effectors
(motor).
In
order to achieve goals defined by activities, the
motor outputs of communication, mobility and manipulation
are required.
Obviously these three outputs require motor output skills,
but they also require sensory input and cognitive processing.
Next
in importance
are the person’s abilities (a
basic trait) and skills (a
level of proficiency). While it is possible to assess a person’s
abilities, it is difficult to predict what level of skill
that person will attain because the person will be affected
by both
intrinsic
and extrinsic factors.
In Shelly’s
case as her team begins to plan to find assistive technology
that will both support and
augment her ability to produce
written assignments, they need to consider her skill level
in using it, her need for training, her reaction to the use of
a
device
and the reactions of her friends, family and instructors, in
addition to its portability and specific capabilities.
The HAAT
model facilitates a comprehensive and flexible approach that
is widely used in rehabilitation services.
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