Technology and Disability - Volume 35, issue 1

Authors: Canessa, Enrique | Fonda, Carlo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: “Science Dissemination for Scholars with Disabilities” is a noteworthy topic which is still sparse and needs more attention by the scientific community. OBJECTIVE: In order to increase interest in the study of science and on access to research without exclusion emphasis needs to be paid towards innovation within a scientific environment. Our hope is to encourage further consideration by the scientific community and present strategies that promote the full inclusion of scholars with disabilities in society. METHODS: This work is the result of research experiences in the field of Science and Inclusion …within the activities carried out at the ICTP Scientific Fabrication Laboratory of Trieste, in Italy, over the last eight years. Description of some issues on the use of open source digital technologies available at Scientific FabLabs to support education and scientific know-how for all are assessed, and a collection of interesting novel approaches developed in our SciFabLab are given as examples. The discussion is presented to motivate further research and give technological priorities. RESULTS: We discuss and show concrete examples on how to make “almost anything ” through Scientific FabLabs to disseminate science and remove practical barriers offering people with disabilities more independence and opportunities to study science. Standard theories of Disability in the STEM context are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This contribution is relevant from the point of view of the social model in that supportive digital tools developed at Scientific FabLabs can be manufactured with participation, assistance and presence by people with a disability. Through this class of Fablabs, we aim to sustain new generations of scientists without any exclusion. Show more

Keywords: Accessible science education, theory of disability, inclusion, science dissemination developing countries, fablab

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-220387

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2023

Authors: Maisikeli, Sayyed G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Thousands of United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizens are living with physical challenge that render them incapable of performing routine activities the rest of us take for granted. OBJECTIVE: This paper investigated utilization of currently available and emerging assistive technologies, and examined the level of awareness of such technologies among the physically challenged population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Knowing the level of awareness and usage of assistive technologies can phase the way for governments, and other stakeholders to develop effective policies that are capable of improving the lives of the physically challenged population. …METHODS: This research conducted a survey of a total of 50 participants (30 females and 20 males) with varieties of physical disabilities. The data collected from the survey participants were tallied by counting the number of participants’ response to series of simple Yes/No questions. RESULTS: Results have shown that only 40% are currently using assistive technologies; with 61.2% being aware of existing assistive technologies. The most identified currently available assistive technologies among survey participants are the wheelchair and transportation vans, and the least identified emerging technologies are systems that respond to head nod. With regards to the newly emerging technologies, only 10% of participants are aware of them, with (70%) willing to use the newly emerging technologies if made available. Also, 60% of the participants benefit from government assistance, and 40% from both philanthropic and family support. With regards to employability, only 2% are fully employed. CONCLUSIONS: The overall low-level of awareness of (both currently available and emerging assistive technologies) observed is an indication of the need for substantial work that needs to be done towards creating an effective awareness program capable of increasing the overall utilization of assistive technologies. Show more

Keywords: Assistive technology, awareness, emerging technologies, physically challenged, UAE

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-220393

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 11-20, 2023

Authors: Suresh, Anjitha | Tiwari, Shivani

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While digital technology has helped in various aspects as learning, social communication and entertainment, it poses substantial risk for young children. Amongst the various effects, excessive screen time has been identified as a risk for autism. OBJECTIVES: Against the background of increasing use of digital devices and lack of data on parental involvement, the present study aimed to investigate the parental knowledge, attitudes and concerns towards Media Technology And Screen time (MeTS) use by preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Typically Developing (TD) children in Indian context. METHODS: 182 parents …of children with ASD (n = 90) and TD (n = 92) participated in a survey to answer various closed and open-ended questions related to device usage, knowledge, attitude and concerns related to children’s use of MeTS using the google forms. Responses from the survey were descriptively analyzed and compared between groups using chi-square test and qualitative thematic analysis methods. RESULTS: Results of our study revealed that children with ASD were exposed to MeTS from an earlier age, while average exposure to MeTS was significantly higher in TD children. Parents of children from the two groups showed good and similar knowledge about the effects of MeTS and reported using various methods to monitor its use in children. Further, the parents showed concerns and possessed mixed attitude towards MeTS use in their children. Show more

Keywords: Screen exposure, children, autism spectrum disorder, parental knowledge, attitude, concerns

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-220389

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 21-42, 2023

Authors: Jacobsen, Turi\dh Barbara | Haanes, Gro Gade | Petersen, Maria Skaalum

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Only a few studies have investigated the effects of assistive devices (ADs) from the user’s perspective. This knowledge is important for clinical and policy decision-making. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine to what extent older people experience less difficulty in performing daily activities after having received uncomplicated ADs such as bath chairs and rollators. METHODS: The study had a pretest – post-test intervention design where the outcomes were evaluated using the Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment (IPPA) and analyzed with paired t -tests. Effect sizes (ES) were interpreted according to Cohen’s d …. People aged ⩾ 67 years with sufficient cognitive or hearing functioning necessary to participate in an interview were included. RESULTS: This study enrolled 52 home-dwelling persons aged 69–93 years. Baseline IPPA score was 17.29 ± 4.27 points (mean ± standard deviation), follow-up score 9.29 ± 4.47 points, indicating a significant reduction in the mean difficulty score of 8.64 points (95% confidence interval: 7.37–9.81 points) (p ⩽ 0.001). The ES at the group level was 1.57 and varied from no to large effect. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving uncomplicated ADs significantly reduced the difficulties experienced by older people. However, the large variations in the ES highlight the importance of providing individually tailored training programs for mobility ADs, which should be considered in further outcome studies. Show more

Keywords: Assistive devices, assessment, client-centered, activities of daily living, effect

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-220394

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 43-51, 2023

Authors: Nguyen, Minh Hoa | Ngo, Thi Duyen | Hung, Nguyen Ba | Mao, Can Van | Kieu, Hai-Dang | Le, Thanh Ha

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: On-screen keyboard controlled by gaze is the most useful approach to help people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) communicate. However, the design of the traditional on-screen keyboard hinders gaze typing for languages other than English. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is developing a specialized on-screen keyboard controlled by gaze for Vietnamese people with ALS. METHODS: Designed on-screen keyboard layouts and selection mechanism based on the requirements of eye typing and Vietnamese language characteristics from the statistics results on the Vietnamese Wikipedia Corpus dataset. During the experiment, we also absorbed and modified …some design features according to the users’ suggestions. RESULTS: The authors proposed two new specialized on-screen keyboard layouts controlled by eye gaze for the Vietnamese language which both speed up typing and reduce typos. The results of the experiment are an average typing speed of respectively 23.1 and 26.1 characters per minute, and an average error rate of 1.0% and 0.5% for the two layouts. All participants were satisfied when using the system at their house. CONCLUSIONS: Although the effectiveness of the proposed method depends on the time of use and the familiarity of users with the new keyboard, the potential of the proposed method is great. Show more

Keywords: Human-computer interaction, augmentative communication, on-screen keyboard, interaction design; eye tracking

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-220391

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 53-65, 2023

Authors: Botta, Andrea | Cavallone, Paride | Tagliavini, Luigi | Quaglia, Giuseppe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Traditional manual wheelchair users suffer from upper limbs injuries due to the propulsion gesture. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the experimental activity addressed to define the dynamic characteristics of a novel manual wheelchair. The design and realization of the wheelchair aim to reduce injuries of the upper limbs related to conventional wheelchairs. A new index called Peak Of Force , POF , is defined and applied to the different wheelchair manual propulsion systems. METHODS: The wheelchair speed and the left and right-hand forces exerted by the user are monitored. The tests have been …performed by changing the transmission ratio of the wheelchair and the wheelchair speed. RESULTS: The indices MEF and FEF are lower than 100% due to the lateral and radial forces for hand-rim wheelchairs and handbikes. For Handwheelchair.Q these indices are equal to 100%. The mean value of index POF for Handwheelchair.Q is 51.75%, while it is about 42.5% for the hand-rim wheelchair, and 57.6% for the handbike. CONCLUSIONS: The user forces for Handwheelchair.Q depend on the wheelchair speed and the pulley radius. The larger pulley radius reduces the average and the maximum force. A variable transmission ratio can be implemented on the proposed wheelchair. Show more

Keywords: Manual wheelchair, Handwheelchair.Q, spinal cord injury

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-220395

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 67-77, 2023