Technology-assisted programs for promoting leisure or communication engagement in two persons with pervasive motor or multiple disabilities

Objective. To evaluate technology-assisted programs to help a man with pervasive motor disabilities and an adolescent with multiple disabilities manage the use of a radio and a special messaging system, respectively. Method. The technology for the man (Study I) involved a modified radio device, an electronic control unit, an amplified MP3 player with verbal questions about radio operations (changes), and an optic microswitch. This allowed the man to respond to the questions and carry out operations through minimal chin movement. The technology for the adolescent (Study II) involved a net-book computer fitted with specifically designed software, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem, and an optic microswitch. This allowed the adolescent to select the persons to whom he wanted to send messages and the messages to send them, and to listen to messages sent to him. Results. The data showed that both programs were effective, with the two participants learning to use the radio and the messaging system, respectively. Conclusion. Technology-assisted programs may represent useful tools for providing persons with pervasive and multiple disabilities leisure and communication opportunities.

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