Increasingly, researchers have successfully identified strategies to promote comprehension to students who are nonreaders. Further research is needed to replicate these promising results. In the current study, we used a multiple probe across participants design to evaluate the effectiveness of an iPad app, which incorporates evidence-based practices such as constant time delay and system of least prompts, on the acquisition of targeted vocabulary and comprehension of four middle school students with significant intellectual and developmental disability (SIDD). Findings suggest that the intervention resulted in improved performance across all participants and that some generalization and maintenance of skills was seen. Limitations and implications for practice and future research are discussed.

No description available.

Although every society member should be offered an equal chance to participate in working life, individuals with high-functioning autism encounter many barriers. Here, assistive technologies using AI and robotics can provide new possibilities to create accessibility and inclusion. This thesis followed the methodology of user-centred design by performing an online survey with 48 autistic professionals to understand their current work experiences and attitudes towards AI- and robotics-based assistive technologies. Based on the survey findings, neurotypical participants from different educational backgrounds ideated in workshops novel technological solutions. The survey results indicate that autistic professionals are open to AI and robotics to overcome, among others, barriers of sensory overload resulting from sounds and many simultaneous social interactions. Thus, the ideas of headphones using personalisation to cancel specific noises and a device summarising conversation content from team meetings for the remotely located professional can be supportive. Finally, the research results can be a starting point for future design ambitions addressing autistic individuals in their work environments.

Les villes ont eu recours à destechnologies dans plusieurs domaines pouraméliorer la prestation de services publics,répondre aux demandes des citoyens etmesurer la consommation de ressourcesnaturelles. Connues sous le nom de VillesIntelligentes, ces initiatives visent àaméliorer la qualité́ de vie des citoyens etont déjà̀ eu un impact positif sur la manièredont les citoyens interagissent avec lesespaces urbains, les services et les uns avecles autres. D'autre part, les espaces urbainspeuvent être considérés comme une menacepour l'indépendance et l'autonomie despersonnes en situation d'handicap. Nousavons utilisé une approche multiinstrumentspour collecter des donnéesauprès de différentes parties prenantes –personnes en situation de handicap,professionnels travaillant avec despersonnes en situation de handicap, expertsliés à l'accessibilité́ et décideurs politiques,– afin de comprendre les obstaclesrencontrés par les personnes en situation dehandicap. Nous avons d’abord élaboré unedéfinition du terme Ville IntelligenteInclusive, ainsi que nous avons proposé desoutils pour soutenir les praticiens etchercheurs engagés dans le développementde technologies d'assistance numériques :une méthodologie d'implémentation etfonctionnement, un modèle conceptuel etune architecture de système sont proposésdans cette thèse. / Cities have used technologies in anumber of areas to improve the delivery ofpublic services, meet the demands ofcitizens, and measure the consumption ofnatural resources. Known as Smart Cities,these initiatives aim to improve the qualityof life of citizens and have already had apositive impact on how citizens interactwith urban spaces, services and with eachother. On the other hand, urban spaces canbe considered as a threat to theindependence and autonomy of people withdisabilities. We used a multi-instrumentapproach to collect data from differentstakeholders - people with disabilities,professionals working with people withdisabilities, accessibility experts and policymakers - to understand the barriers faced bypeople with disabilities. We first developeda definition of the Smart Inclusive City, aswell as proposed tools to supportpractitioners and researchers engaged in thedevelopment of digital assistivetechnologies: an implementation andoperation methodology, a conceptual model,a business model, and a system architectureare proposed in this thesis.

With aging, the sensory, motor, and central nervous system deficiencies lead to inadequate bicycle postural control in older cyclists. Similarly, variety in riding skills leads to different bicycle postural control strategies. Cycling seems to be an automated task but keeping the bicycle stable at low speed, pedaling, and steering requires continuous physical and cognitive effort, and in long term may lead to fatigue induced by steering and stabilizing the e-bike at low forward speeds especially in older cyclists. E-bikes enables riders to cycle for langer duration and distance by reducing the physical fatigue. There is an increasing societal interest in electric bicycles where in 2021, 26. 73 billion US dollars worldwide have been invested on e-bikes and by 2027 this global market size will increase to 53.53 billion US dollars (Statista). However, with increased numbers of e-bikes, bicycle accidents due to inadequate steering and balance control by older cyclists have increased, which suggests needs for extra safety measures to maintain balance on a bicycle for challenging situation such as facing undesired disturbances or low forward speeds. We developed a prototype steering assist which aims to increase safety and improve the user experience, by reducing the steering effort and enhancing the bicycle postural control (rider-bike balance control). We investigated the potential effectiveness ofthe steering assist technology in real life challenging situations. Our present study should be considered exploratory research to find the potential effectiveness of the steering assist technology in improving the user experience and safety compared to a non-assistive e-bike. The improved bicycle postural control is validated by smaller range, variability, and rate of steering and roll trajectories when the rider is subjected to an unwanted disturbance. Improved bicycle postural control is expected based on the reduced need for compensatory behavior in the presence of assistive technology. Decreased steering effort is expected due to reduced demand for acute steering control in the anticipatory control strategy.

This study examined teacher characteristics and practices identified as effective through current research for teaching students with complex communication needs. For this population, communication issues are more complex than those typically encountered in other settings. Specifically, the researcher asked: what are the desired characteristics and practices for this population, and are the desired characteristics and practices present in current settings? Working with six teachers in a large urban school district, this study utilized a multiple case study design. Criteria for participation included the teacher as the primary reading/language arts instructor for a student who used an augmentative and alternative communication system (AAC). This study builds on prior research and fills a gap in current research through a focus on the teacher. This study was conducted through three phases: a survey of teacher characteristics, observations of teacher practices, and a semi-structured interview. Four instruments were utilized to ensure validity. Results suggest that teachers for this population require knowledge on language and literacy specific to the non-verbal child. AAC training is critical in regard to programming and navigation. The use of other technology supports which offer auditory, visual, and access options are essential. Strong collaborative teams (school and district) are also important. However, one of the most significant findings documents that success may lie with the teacher's 'choice' to embrace challenges with this population. This issue of 'choice' questions the teacher's willingness (personally or professionally) to accept this commitment. This finding also questions the degree to which teachers are willing to pursue opportunities. Recommendations include the need for: training (teachers and paraprofessionals), pursuit of opportunities for supports, addressing parent issues, a district-based liaison between home and school, and to examine issues which prevent the recommended instructional time (90 minutes of reading instruction plus 45 minutes of supplemental instruction). Conclusions indicated that participants ranged from effective to ineffective. The identification of 'highly qualified' teachers through level of education and amount of experience did not correlate with participants' level of effectiveness. Given the limited research available, this study addresses a need in the field and lays the foundation for future research with this population.

Assistive technology (AT) is defined as any piece of equipment that improves the functional skills of an individual with a disability. AT choices range from low tech (e.g., communication boards made of cardboard and felt, pencil grips) to high tech (e.g., computer applications, screen readers, specialized software or other curriculum aids; Center on Technology and Disability, 2018).

In an interdisciplinary project, creative concepts for care robotics were developed. To explore the design space that these open up, we discussed them along the common differentiation of physical (effective) and social-emotional assistance. Trying to rate concepts on these dimensions frequently raised questions regarding the relation between the social-emotional and the physical, and highlighted gaps and a lack of conceptual clarity. We here present our design concepts, report on our discussion, and summarize our insights; in particular we suggest that the social and the physical dimension of care technologies should always be thought of and designed as interrelated.

Introduction: Intellectual disability causes performance problems in several domains of everyday life. Vocational training and rehabilitation can facilitate the process of employment for individuals with this diagnosis. Technology offers many possibilities in this process. Aim: The aim was to identify digital tools used in the field of vocational rehabilitation and work adaptation applicable for individuals with intellectual disability. Method: Scoping review was used, following the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005) with the five steps process. Thematic analysis was used to categorize and present the identified data. Results: Fifteen sources were identified. Findings are presented in the themes of work preparation, generic work-related skills, support during employment and access barriers. They include devices, applications and websites used in intellectual disability or other disabilities with similar impairments. However digital tools were not always accessible due to economic factors, lack of time and knowledge. Conclusions: Different digital tools including software and hardware were used with positive implications. Further research is needed to identify appropriate digital tools to facilitate vocational/employment opportunities for people with ID. Significance: Occupational therapy community, individuals and society may benefit from using this review as a guide to facilitate opportunities for using technology to support employment of individuals with ID.

De acuerdo con cifras presentadas por el INEI, en los últimos 8 años, la cifra de peruanos que padecen algún tipo de discapacidad se ha duplicado. Contrario a la demanda supuesta, en nuestro país los aparatos protésicos son costosos y escasos, lo que dificulta que los pacientes con pérdida del miembro superior o inferior, a causa de amputación o en casos de deficiencia congénita, tengan acceso a estos. Ante esta realidad, se desarrolló la presente investigación teniendo por objetivo diseñar y construir una prótesis mioeléctrica con impresión 3D para compensar la pérdida de funcionalidad en adultos a causa de la amputación transradial. Para ellos, se aplicó el enfoque sistemático de Pahl et. al (2007) para diseño en ingeniería, la matriz morfológica de Zwicky, la simulación estático estructural con el software SolidWorks y el procesamiento de señales EMG para la apertura y cierre de la mano en tres agarres: trípode, envoltura mediana y precisión de disco. Esta prótesis está diseñada para ofrecer soluciones prácticas y efectivas, permitiendo a los pacientes realizar acciones cotidianas de manera más independiente. Se diseñó y construyó un prototipo funcional capaz de realizar los agarres requeridos. El proceso comenzó por el diseño conceptual, donde se terminó por seleccionar el concepto solución empleando criterios técnicos y económicos. El sistema mecánico de este concepto fue modelado y simulado con el uso del software SolidWorks. Para el diseño del sistema electrónico se empleó el IDE Arduino, este fue utilizado en la lectura de señales EMG y programación de algoritmo de control. Finalmente, para la construcción del prototipo se emplearon materiales de adquisición nacional por un costo total de 570 nuevos soles. Para la evaluación de funcionalidad se empleó un protocolo desarrollado a partir del protocolo AHAP, como resultado se obtuvo un dispositivo capaz de realizar los agarres trípode y envoltura mediana sin dificultad. Se comprobó de esta manera que el prototipo cumplió con los requerimientos establecidos en un inicio, siendo una solución viable para servir como tecnología de ayuda a personas con amputación transradial. / According to figures presented by the INEI, in the last 8 years, the number of Peruvians suffering from some type of disability has doubled. Contrary to the supposed demand, in our country prosthetic devices are expensive and scarce, which makes it difficult for patients with loss of the upper or lower limb, due to amputation or in cases of congenital deficiency, to have access to them. In light of this reality, this research was developed with the aim of designing and building a 3D-printed myoelectric prosthesis to compensate for the loss of functionality in adults due to transradial amputation. For this purpose, the systematic approach of Pahl et al. (2007) for engineering design, Zwicky's morphological matrix, static structural simulation with SolidWorks software, and EMG signal processing for hand opening and closing in three types of grips: tripod, medium wrap, and disc precision, were applied. This prosthesis is designed to offer practical and effective solutions, allowing patients to perform daily tasks more independently. A functional prototype capable of performing the required grips was designed and built. It began with the conceptual design in which the solution concept was selected using technical and economic criteria. The mechanical system of said concept was modeled and simulated with the use of SolidWorks software. For the design of the electronic system, the Arduino IDE was used, this was used in the reading of EMG signals and programming of the control algorithm. Finally, for the construction of the prototype, national acquisition materials were used for a total cost of 570 nuevos soles. For the evaluation of functionality, a protocol developed from the AHAP protocol was used, as a result, a device capable of performing tripod grips and medium wrap without difficulty was obtained. In this way, it was verified that the prototype met the requirements established at the beginning, being a viable solution to serve as a technology to help people with transradial amputations.