Work

"It's an independent living skill, but covered with fun!": Prompting At-Home Skill Development for Children with Vision Impairment

Year: 2024

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: This study examined how to design tools that build independence with Blind or Visually Impaired (BVI) children and their families. Beyond core academics, BVI children require instruction on independent living skills, with their curriculum necessitating parent-school cooperation to support continued education at home. However, most technology for BVI children focus on academics, spatial orientation, and physical mobility. In this work, we aim to design a tool for independence that aligns with existing familial structures and activities. Through interviews and diary studies with five families, we explored development practices parents used with their BVI children, parent-teacher relationships, and how a prompting and reflection tool supported family goals. This study highlights home routines and independence skills that benefit from customized prompting, how activity prompts can encourage parents to scale back their assistance and propel independence, and how reflection builds optimism and empowers parents in the learning process.

Source: International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

DOI: 10.1145/3663548.3675626

Authors: Vinitha Gadiraju, Lucia Jayne, Shaun K. Kane

Institutions: Wellesley College, University of Colorado Boulder, Google (United States)

Language: English

Topic: Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Science Foundation