Abstract
The Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency provides services in the postal and telecommunication area for disabled persons. The text telephone relay service, videophone relay service, free directory enquiries and extended rural postal service are aimed for various groups of persons with disabilities. The aim of this study was to develop a socioeconomic model for assessing such telecommunication services for disabled persons. The model development included the WHO Classification ICIDH-2 and ICF, literature review, reference panel opinions, expert opinions and pilot studies. The developed model encompasses quality of the services, costs and outcomes. The quality of the services refers to quality in structure and process. Costs for different actors are included, e.g. the user, family members, county councils, local authorities and the government. Outcomes of the services refer to intermediate outcomes (direct communicative outcomes) and generic outcomes (quality of life). The socioeconomic model is general and is applicable to different rehabilitation interventions.
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