Affiliations: SITREC (Stockholm International Toy Research Centre), Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail: Jane@sitrec.kth.se; Peg@sitrec.kth.se | [x] SIVA, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, via Capecelatro 66, I-20148 Milano, Italy. E-mail: serenella.besio@siva.it | [y] STAKES, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, PL 220, 00531 Helsinki, Finland. Tel.: +358 40 5600935; E-mail: Anna-Liisa.Salminen@stakes.fi
Abstract: This article is based on several studies conducted in the ICT field focussing on children with severe disabilities and their computer use. Topics of interest include how computers are used by children in general, and especially by children with severe disabilities. How effective is technology as support for child development and in daily activities? The main focus is on play and communication/social interaction for child development. The key question is if and how computers are the solution to support development in children in need of special support.
Keywords: computers, children with disabilities, special needs, ICT, play, communication, social interaction
