Toward a Competency-based Approach to Co-designing Technologies with People with Intellectual Disability

Exploring cultural imaginaries of robots with children with brittle bone disease: a participatory design study

A symbiotic relationship exists between narrative imaginaries of and real-life advancements in technology. Such cultural imaginings have a powerful influence on our understanding of the potential that technology has to affect our lives; as a result, narrative-based approaches to participatory design (PD) of technology are an active area of investigation.In this ongoing study, the following research questions are addressed: how can PD be optimised for the fields of robotics and assistive technology, particularly with regard to fostering empowerment and eliciting how people imagine the role of technology in their own futures? How can the symbiotic relationship between (popular) cultural imaginaries and real-life technological advancements be acknowledged within the PD process?The study synthesises fictional inquiry and science fiction prototyping methodologies and processes over multiple workshops. Its aim is to explore and develop conceptions of robotics and assistive technology of children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI, commonly known as brittle bone disease) and their families, as these populations are under-represented in collaborative research and stand to benefit from future robotics development. Narrative-based approaches are complemented by participants' direct interaction with contemporary robots during each workshop and a 'robot home visit' to unite experiential understandings of robots and their current capabilities with possible futures, as well as foster mutual learning between stakeholders and designers. The study deploys a mixed methods research design with a critical posthumanist theoretical lens.This inclusive co-designed methodology should establish a rich, nuanced picture of how people currently imagine robots in their future and facilitate all involved to deepen these conceptions. It is anticipated that everyone taking part will empower themselves to imagine fully the range of possibilities in their own personal futures in our increasingly technologised world.

Assistive Technology Uses and Barriers in the Home and Workplace for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

BACKGROUND

Assistive technology (AT) has been successfully used by researchers and practitioners to increase task completion and independence in work and home environments for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While prior research has shown increased outcomes of incorporating AT into daily tasks, research has also indicated that actual use of AT in these settings is much lower.

METHOD

The current qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with a sample of 25 adults (22 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and three job coaches) to examine the perceived use and implementation of AT into home and work environments, along with potential challenges and barriers. Interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified: (1) technologies used to support daily living skills, (2) technologies used to support employment and (3) challenges and barriers to using technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate that while individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are using a variety of AT in their homes both successfully and independently, they have extremely limited use in their workplaces. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Technology-Aided Spatial Cues, Instructions, and Preferred Stimulation for Supporting People With Intellectual and Visual Disabilities in Their Occupational Engagement and Mobility: Usability Study

Background

Persons with severe or profound intellectual disability and visual impairment tend to be passive and sedentary, and technology-aided intervention may be required to improve their condition without excessive demands on staff time.

Objective

This study aims to extend the assessment of technology-aided interventions for supporting functional occupational engagement and mobility in 7 people with intellectual disability and visual impairment and to use a technology system that is simpler and less expensive than those previously used.

Methods

The technology system involved a Samsung Galaxy A10, 4 Philips Hue indoor motion sensors, and 4 mini speakers. Within each session, the participants were to collect 18 objects (ie, one at a time) from 3 different areas (stations) located within a large room, bring each of the objects to a central desk, and put away each of those objects there. For each object, the participants received verbal (spatial) cues for guiding them to the area where the object was to be collected, a verbal instruction (ie, request) to take an object, verbal (spatial) cues for guiding them to the central desk, a verbal instruction to put away the object collected, and praise and preferred stimulation.

Results

During baseline, the frequency of responses completed correctly (objects collected and put away independently) was 0 or near 0. During the intervention phase (ie, with the support of the technology setup), the frequency increased for all participants, reaching a mean of almost 18 (out of 18 response opportunities) for 6 participants and about 13 for the remaining participant. The mean session duration ranged from 12 to 30 minutes.

Conclusions

A program, such as the one used in this study, can be useful in promoting occupational engagement and mobility in persons with intellectual disability and visual impairment.