Technology for helping people with neuromotor, intellectual, and speech disabilities engage in leisure and communication activities: a proof-of-concept study

Abstract

We extended the assessment of our recently developed technology to help people with neuromotor, intellectual, and speech disabilities access (listen to) music, communicate with distant partners, and answer questions. The technology included a tablet (1) fitted with an Internet connection, a SIM card, WhatsApp Messenger, and MacroDroid application, and (2) interfaced with different pairs of response sensors. Six participants were included in the study, which was carried out according to a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants. During the baseline phase (5–8 sessions carried out over 1–2 weeks), participants were unable to access music, make video calls, or answer questions using a regular tablet. During the intervention phase (50–102 sessions carried out with the technology over 2–4 months), however, they activated means of 4.7–7.6 songs and 0.4–3.6 video calls per session. Moreover, they answered correctly a mean of 69–96% of the questions presented to them. These results suggest that our technology solution is a viable and potentially valuable resource for people with extensive disabilities.