Participatory technology design for autism and cognitive disabilities: a narrative overview of issues and techniques.

Robb, Nigel; Doyle, Brian; Politis, Yurgos; Newbutt, Nigel; Hung Jen, Kuo; Sung, Connie

Abstract

Abstract. Participatory design (PD) refers to the involvement of users in the design and development process. Those who may be identified as eventual users of such technology are often involved in the development process as testers or as informants. However, PD aims to transform this user involvement, allowing users to contribute ideas and influence the design of the resulting software product or service. PD therefore is not simply motivated by, or concerned with, the extent to which user involvement may improve the quality of technology. Rather, it is also concerned with the ethical and political dimensions of increased user participation. This combined focus on the quality of outcome and empowerment through participation in the process of design has attracted the interest of developers of technology for people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs). In addition to the obvious benefit of improving software quality (e.g., by being aware of the unique requirements of such populations), researchers now also recognise that PD may help to improve inclusion and well-being for people with NDDs. Indeed, it is recognised that PD can help ensure that the rights of these individuals, both in terms of their right full societal participation and access to the technology that supports such participation. Research on PD with people with NDDs has been carried out increasingly in recent years. However, much of our collective knowledge is based on a disparate body of research, with different researchers focused on different aspects of the field. As a result, there is little in the way of concrete, practical advice for designers who wish to use PD with people with NDDs. In this chapter, therefore, we provide a narrative review focused on the practical aspects of previous PD projects. Our aim is to provide the novice PD researcher and designer with an overview of what techniques they might use and what challenges they might face when embarking on a PD project.

Citation

Robb, N., Doyle, B., Politis, Y., Newbutt, N., Hung Jen, K., & Sung, C. (in press). Participatory technology design for autism and cognitive disabilities: a narrative overview of issues and techniques. In A. Brooks, S. Brahman, B. Kapralos, A. Nakajima, J. Tyerman, & L. Jain (Eds.), Recent Advances in Technologies of Inclusive Well-Being: Virtual patients, gamification and simulation. (3). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59608-8

• Acceptance Date: Nov 21, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 21, 2021
• Deposit Date: Apr 12, 2020
• Publisher: Springer
• Series Title: Recent Advances in Technologies of Inclusive Well-Being: Virtual patients, gamification and simulation
• Series ISSN: 1868-4394
• Edition: 3
• Book Title: Recent Advances in Technologies of Inclusive Well-Being: Virtual patients, gamification and simulation
• ISBN: 978-3-030-59607-1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59608-8
• Keywords: Participatory design, autism, intellectual disabilities, neurodevelopmental disabilities, co- creation, co-design, prototyping
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/5872696
• Publisher URL: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030596071