The extent to which children and young people with disabilities are involved in the design of assistive technology : a scoping review

Abstract

Background: Assistive Technologies (AT) are often abandoned. As technology is an expanding and vast field, it should be utilised optimally for vulnerable populations. Research shows that to address this, there is an increasing need to involve end-users in the design process of AT. This study aimed to investigate the extent of research available pertaining to the involvement of children and young people with disabilities in the design of ATs and further analysed the extent of their involvement. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was therefore conducted. Limitations included a risk of publication bias on English articles, and accessibility from 2007 to 2020. Results: The results revealed that minimal research was available that actively involved children with disabilities in a Participatory Design (PD) framework in the field of AT development including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Children and young people’s levels of involvement were mainly at a symbolic level in terms of the type of participation. This research highlights the need for intensified efforts towards increasing the participation and engagement of the children and young people as they voice their opinions, which could then be considered by the decision-makers. Conclusions: The findings shed light on the disparity in the research which may hinder the effective implementation of ATs. Future research is needed to establish optimal methods of involvement of children and young people with disabilities in AT design. Keywords: assistive technology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), children with disabilities, the extent of involvement, involvement, participatory design