Using assistive technologies to facilitate play by children with motor impairments: A methodological proposal

Issue title: Children and Youngsters and Technology

Guest editors: Serenella Besiox and Anna-Liisa Salmineny

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Besio, Serenella

Affiliations: SIVA Centro S. Maria Nascente IRCCS, Fondazione don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, via Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milano, Italy. E-mail: serenella.besio@siva.it | [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: The results are presented of the SIVA research project “Technical Aids and Methodologies to facilitate Play by Children with Motor Impairments” (2000–2003). The project has been launched with the scope of improving learning of children with motor impairment by letting them directly interact with their environment through play. For the 6 children belonging to the study group individualised solutions to access play and toys have been studied and experimented. An on-purpose playroom has been equipped with the needed technological solutions; individualised educational programs have been developed and fulfilled. The planning of the project as well as its results are here discussed within the methodological framework of Action-Research.

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2004-16302

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 119-130, 2004