Introducing the AT Hub: providing assistive technology solutions for people with a brain injury

People living with a brain injury often experience challenges in many areas of daily life including difficulty in cognitive abilities such as concentration and understanding, communication, speech, mood, social isolation, pain and limited mobility.

In today's modern world, we have technology solutions for almost everything. However, there are a wide variety of new technological solutions that are emerging, and others that may not been investigated for people with brain injury. This includes a variety of mainstream technologies including smart devices and apps.

To increase awareness and access to such technological solutions and promote safety and independence for people with a brain injury, icare has partnered with the Ingham Institute and South West Sydney Local Health District to form the AT Hub.

The AT Hub is a specialist service that aims to support the delivery of assistive technology solutions for people with a brain injury. It brings together clients, clinicians, developers, researchers and funders to facilitate the process of applying technological solutions in brain injury rehabilitation.

The AT Hub has a goal of exploring how its use can improve the lives of people with cognitive and executive functioning impairments, including planning, organisation, memory, learning and problem-solving difficulties.

Through the established community of practice, the AT Hub is bringing clinicians together to facilitate learning, knowledge sharing, problem-solving and the implementation of assistive technology in brain injury. To expand knowledge in the sector, university students are completing placements with the AT Hub to learn about the application of emerging assistive technology for people with brain injury.

The AT Hub service will focus on the assessment, trial and prescription of assistive technology solutions for people with brain injury. People with a brain injury, including icare Lifetime Care and Workers Care participants and workers, can access the AT Hub by referral from their case manager or treating team. 

icare supports 1,289 people with a brain injury in our Lifetime Care Scheme and Workers Care program (at 30 June 2022). The assistive technology solutions from the AT Hub will allow more freedom and independence for participants and others living with a brain injury.

The AT Hub will commence its clinical services in the near future. Future updates will include information about referral pathways, physical location and a dedicated email address.

Find out more about the AT Hub

Contact Brendan.Worne@health.nsw.gov.au, AT Hub Project Manager.