Applying a universal design approach to empower children with multiple impairments in assistive technology assessment

Trish MacKeogh, Karola Dillenburg, John Donovan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Rapid developments in technology, coinciding with the shift in educational ideology towards the inclusion of children with multiple disabilities, has led to increased calls for a Universal Design (UD) approach to promoting, user-friendly, proactive, transparent, and accessible environments and to the importance of Assistive Technology (AT) applications. For children with disabilities, technologies provide opportunities for greater and more flexible access to activities then traditional interfaces if applied and matched successfully. Relatively high abandonment rates of assistive technology have been documented, often due to a lack of user involvement in the assessment process. The field of Universal Design is showing that collaborative approaches enable users to be active participants and enhance their engagement in activities and social inclusion. This paper provides a background to AT service provision in Ireland and outlines the adaptation of the Irish Matching Person with Technology (IMPT) tool from text based to a multimodal digital format for children with disabilities through a universal design approach.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTransforming our World Through Design, Diversity and Education - Proceedings of Universal Design and Higher Education in Transformation Congress 2018
EditorsGerald Craddock, Cormac Doran, Larry McNutt, Donal Rice
PublisherIOS Press
Pages870-880
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9781614999225
ISBN (Print)9781614999225
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Event2018 Universal Design and Higher Education in Transformation Congress, UDHEIT 2018 - Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 30 Oct 20182 Nov 2018

Publication series

NameStudies in Health Technology and Informatics
Volume256
ISSN (Print)0926-9630
ISSN (Electronic)1879-8365

Conference

Conference2018 Universal Design and Higher Education in Transformation Congress, UDHEIT 2018
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period30/10/182/11/18

Keywords

  • Assessment
  • Assistive technology
  • Children
  • Irish Matching Person with Technology
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Universal design

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Applying a universal design approach to empower children with multiple impairments in assistive technology assessment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this