1. Assistive technology: The Norwegian experience Terje Sund, The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service NAV

2. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 2 Norway  5,2 million inhabitants  19 counties  385 170 km²  428 municipalities  15% of the population >65 years  In 2014: 130 488 users received one or several assistive devices  In 2014, the users constitute 2,5% of the population

3. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 3 Assistive technology in Norway  From 1995: a uniform, national system for assistive technology  The aim has been to ensure that the users are given the same level of services and are met by professionals with the same expertise regardless where they live  18 Assistive technology centres, one in each county  Assistive technology centres have expert knowledge about functional disabilities and their consequences and knowledge about possible solutions, including assistive technology  Cooperation between the assistive technology centres and the municipalities and hospitals  The assistive technology centres purchase and distribute the assistive devices  The assistive technology centres are responsible for repairing the devices

4. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 4 The assistive technology system

5. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 5 Provision of assistive devices  Assitive devices are provided free of charge to persons whose functional capacity is permanently (more than 2 years) impaired due to illness, injury or physical defects  In addition, the assistive devices must be necessary and appropriate with regard to improving the person’s ability to solve day-to-day practical problems  The users have a right by law to be provided assistive devices if they meet the above criteria

6. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 6 Procurement and refurbishment  Procurement framework agreements for the whole country are made with the dealers  Refurbishment: In 2014, 35% of the distributed devices were second hand ones  In 2014 the use of second hand assistive devices represented a value of 777 million Nkr. = 94 mill. Euros

7. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 7 Education and training  There are no accredited post graduate education programmes within assistive technology in Norway  The assistive technology centres organise and run courses according to a yearly programme for the municipal service and other partners

8. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 8 Systematic follow-up controlls of electromedical devices  Examples:  Powered wheelchairs, every 2nd. year  Lifts, every year  Hoists, every 2nd. Year  Beds, every 4th. year

9. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 9 A national Information Communication technology system  A national ICT system (Oracle eBusiness Suite) for registration of the costs and distributions of assistive devices, repairs and follow-up services  Statistics on county and national levels are produced every month

10. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 10 To conclude 1. User involvement 2. Rights by law 3. One door – one system 4. Assistive Technology centres coordinating activities 5. National procurement agreements with the dealers 6. Repairs and services, including preventive services 7. Refurbishment 8. Courses / educational programs 9. A national ICT system (logistics)

11. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 11 Some statistics - 2014  The purchase of assistive devices constituted Nkr. 18 755,- (2 350 Euros) per user, and Nkr. 483,- (60 Euros) per inhabitant  40 662 «ordinary repairs» were performed. 79% of these were performed within 7 days by technicians at the assistive technology centres (70%) or the dealers (30%)  417 071 assistive devices were provided to 130 488 users (3.2 devices per user).  76% of the devices were delivered within the target of 3 weeks

12. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 12 2014: Age distribution of users, percentages

13. NAV, 09.08.2015Side 13 The distribution of ”cheap” and ”expensive assistive devices in 2013