Adapting the World Health Organization rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) to the Italian context: implementation of a TRAPD-based approach

Background. Measuring access to assistive technology (AT) has become a global priority. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the rapid assistive technology assessment (rATA), a population-based household survey that measures the use, need, unmet need, and barriers to accessing AT. Objective. The aim of this paper is to report on the translation and adaptation process undertaken to implement the rATA survey in the Italian context. Method. The Translate, Review, Adjudicate, Pretest, and Document (TRAPD) approach was used to translate and adapt the rATA from English to Italian. Eleven independent reviewers and 23 AT users were involved to validate the Italian translation of the rATA and pilot the survey, respectively. Results. The feedback provided by the first users of the rATA indicate that the data collected are reliable and well reflect the state of AT provision in Italy. Conclusion. This study confirmed the applicability of the rATA survey to the Italian context. The Italian version of the rATA can be used to support the government, the health system as well as the civil society to monitor the current state of AT access (and abandonment) in the country.