Facial disfigurement causes direct or indirect impact on
the individual, and sometimes even the whole family. Also, in
comparison with other types of disabilities, the general public
demonstrates more reluctance to accept people with facial
disfigurement. Because the use of assistive device has not yet been
popularized in Taiwan, there are not sufficient options in this
field. Furthermore, the use of currently available assistive device
has not been properly introduced. This greatly affects the quality
of rehabilitation and also makes it difficult for people with facial
disfigurement to return to the society.
Because of the
peculiarity of human face, it’s very difficult to achieve perfect
recovery by facial surgeries or other therapies for burn survivors.
Current assistive device such as pressure garment mask and facial
mask are not good enough in terms of the material, cost, and
convenience. For people with facial disfigurement not caused by
burnt, whether there is any appropriate assistive device that is
useful in treatment remains a question to answer.
Sunshine
Foundation was mandated to establish “Assistive Technology Resource
Center for People with Facial Disfigurement” by the Department of
the Interior in November 2001. This resource center is to provide
information on assistive device for people with facial
disfigurement, the industry, the government, the academe, and the
general public. It functions as a window or a convenient store by
collecting and organizing updated information on the needs and facts
of people with facial disfigurement.
