Assistive Technology to support occupational engagement and mobility in persons with multiple disabilities

These two studies extended the evaluation of technology-aided programs for fostering occupational engagement and mobility in persons with multiple disabilities (i.e., severe to profound intellectual disability and blindness or limited residual vision). In Study I, the program (a) provided auditory cues to guide three adults to various desks, at each of which a simple occupational activity was to be carried out, and (b) ensured preferred stimulation at each of the desks. In Study II, the program (a) provided auditory or visual plus auditory cues to guide two adolescents to gather five objects of a collection at five different desks and put each of them into a container located at a sixth desk, and (b) ensured preferred stimulation at each desk. The results of both studies were largely positive with all participants learning to move from one desk to the next independently to deal with the activities/objects properly. The results were discussed in light of previous evidence in the area and in terms of practical and technical implications for daily intervention with persons with multiple disabilities.