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‘I know, I can, I will try’: youths and adults with intellectual disabilities in Sweden using information and communication technology in their everyday life
- Authors:
- NÄSLUND Rebecka, GARDELLI Åsa
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 28(1), 2013, pp.28-40.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study investigated how technology forms part of a relationship that influences agency among people with disabilities. It examined the use of, and access to, information and communication technology (ICT), and agency among youths with intellectual disabilities. The study draws on empirical research conducted with 6 youths and adults, aged 15 to 20 years, with intellectual disabilities, as well as staff at a day centre. Findings revealed that by drawing upon interests, previous experiences, and cooperating in ICT activities, the participants’ agency changed. Results also showed how disability is relational and how it can be influenced by ICT. The authors concluded that ICT has meaning for the everyday lives of people with and without disabilities. ICT can make a contribution to the development of agency for people with intellectual disability. More specifically, it was shown by working with ICT tools and relating it to their own interests and previous experiences that the participants’ agency was influenced.
A balance of social inclusion and risks: staff perceptions of information and communication technology in the daily life of young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability in a social care context
- Authors:
- RAMSTEN Camilla, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(3), 2019, pp.171-179.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Information and communication technology (ICT) has increased in importance and facilitates participation in several life areas throughout society. However, young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability make less use ICT than the general population. Disability services staff play a central role in supporting and enabling service users in daily life, and their perceptions of ICT are important to their role in service provision. The aim of the study is to describe staff perceptions of the role of ICT and how it affects daily life in young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability living in residential homes. Focus group interviews and individual interviews were conducted with staff working in residential homes in which young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability live. All materials were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using latent content analysis. Staff perceived ICT and, more specifically, the Internet as being supportive of both daily life and social relationships of these young adults, but they also viewed ICT as posing social risks. Perceptions of and support for ICT were related to staff perceptions about what is appropriate and manageable in relation to an individual resident's functioning level. Staff members also considered the views of parents about appropriate content when providing support. Staff in residential homes for young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability use their implicit moral judgement about the use of ICT by residents. Their enablement of and support for ICT are not primarily based on the service user's wishes or interests. This finding implies a risk that the organization of a conflict‐free service provision is a higher priority than service users' participation in social life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Text messaging with picture symbols - experiences of seven persons with cognitive and communicative disabilities
- Authors:
- MULLER Ingrid Mattsson, BUCHHOLZ Margret, FERM Ulrika
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 4(4), December 2010, pp.11-23.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
A three year project in Sweden is looking at ways of increasing participation for persons with cognitive and communication disabilities. It has a particular focus on text messaging with picture symbols. Three men and four women were given one of two available phone devices that met the aims of the project and their needs; the Micro Rolltalk or the Handifon. Tailored software included a picture symbol database and speech synthesis. Clients’ professional and social support networks were instructed in how the equipment was to be used. Semi-structured interviews investigated satisfaction with the mobile phone, handling the phone, involvement in daily life and project participation. At this point participants had been using their phones for between 7 and 13 months. The researchers experienced the anticipated challenges associated with interviewing people with cognitive impairments. Scale and yes/no questions were more easily answered than open questions. A compromise was found in the use of “Talking Mats” (textured mats with topic pictures and visual scales). Overall most participants were satisfied with their mobile phones, found them easy to handle, and liked to use them for a variety of purposes, not just text messaging. All except one wanted to continue to use them after the project ended.