The psychologist

This chapter deals with the role and the competencies of the psychologist in a center for technical aid. The lapse of the psychologist’s role in AT assessment is probably due to the noncoding of personal factors in the ICF. In viewing the psychologist as the “specialist” on personal factors, the authors call for a revision of the ICF, so that in the biopsychosocial model, “psycho” does not continue as merely a prefix. The psychologist in a center for AT evaluation and provision has the goal of supporting the user’s request in the user-driven process, as well as acting as a mediator for users. The psychologist also acts to build a team spirit and enhance the relationship between the client and the home environment. Finally, an original study closes this chapter, focusing on the psychologists’ and professionals’ representations of disabled users and ATs. Acknowledgments Fabio Meloni, Stefano Federici, and Aldo Stella contributed equally to the study except for paragraph 6 edited by Claudia Mazzeschi and paragraph 7 edited by Barbara Cordella, Francesca Greco, and Massimo Grasso.