Each Person as an End? The Users’ Choices in the Service Delivery Process for Assistive Technology in Hungary

Nóra Menich ()
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Nóra Menich: Centre for Social Sciences, 4. Tóth Kálmán str, H-1097 Budapest, Hungary

Societies, 2022, vol. 12, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Based on notions from the Capability Approach, this study investigates the service delivery process for assistive technology in Hungary. The research aimed to explore whether the service delivery is person-centered, with a specific focus on the users’ possible choices. In addition to a comprehensive analysis of legislative and policy documents, qualitative data were collected in semi-structured interviews with users and professionals ( n = 31) to gain a deeper understanding of personal experiences. Our findings indicate that the service delivery system is product-centered and dominated by financial considerations. The policy and legislation framework does not provide an institutional guarantee for users to be able to have their voices heard; the extent to which their opinions and preferences prevail depends on the attitude, knowledge, and goodwill of the professionals involved in the process. The realization of a person-centered approach will be hindered as long as the users’ needs are viewed from a medical point of view.

Keywords: assistive technology provision; person-centered service delivery; choice; Capability Approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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