Technology Within Services for Persons with Disabilities
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EDITORIAL
Technology Within Services for Persons with Disabilities Giulio E. Lancioni 1 Accepted: 17 October 2020 / Published online: 10 November 2020 # Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract Technology is deemed to have a critically important role in programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as disabilities following neurological damage and neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, a variety of technology solutions have been developed over the years to address the needs of persons with different disabilities and different needs. This editorial (i) presents some examples of technology solutions recently reported in the literature, and (ii) provides a brief description of the 10 articles included in this Special Issue of the Journal. Those articles add to previous literature and extend the debate on the use of technology within services for people with disabilities. Keywords Technology . Intellectual and developmental disability . Neurological damage . Neurodegenerative disease
Technology is increasingly recognized as a critically important variable in the work with persons (i.e., children and adults) with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as disabilities following neurological damage and neurodegenerative diseases (Brunner et al. 2017; Modi and Singh 2020; Saleh et al. 2020). Indeed, technology is seen as a resource to (i) improve diagnostic and intervention approaches directed at these persons, (ii) enhance the quality of the services available to them, and (iii) increase their opportunities of participation and positive interaction with the environment, and eventually their social image and quality of life (Lancioni et al. 2019; Stock et al. 2019). The vast majority of research on technology has so far focused on (a) developing specific solutions (devices) aimed at supporting the functioning of these persons in some problem areas (i.e., areas in which their competence is weak or inadequate), and (b) assessing the impact of those solutions in a controlled manner. Given the different levels of disabilities presented by different persons and the different emphasis of research studies (i.e., emphasis leading the studies to address different aspects of the persons’ performance/development), a large variety of technology solutions have been developed. For example, various technology solutions have been put forward to help persons with
* Giulio E. Lancioni [email protected] 1
University of Bari, Bari, Italy
intellectual and extensive neuro-motor disabilities control environmental stimulation with minimal motor behavior (Lancioni et al. 2019). Similarly, a range of technology solutions have been proposed to help persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities manage various forms of communication (Gevarter et al. 2020; Hemmingsson and Borgestig 2020). Multiple technology solutions have also been set up to help persons with developmental or neurodegenerative disabilities independently perform functional daily activities or engage in both functi
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