Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Makerspaces can engage people with disabilities in the design and development of assistive technology (AT) that can enhance their capabilities to perform new activities and function. However, the adoption of makerspaces in the environments and institutions serving people with disabilities remains ch...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Societies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/12/6/155 |
| _version_ | 1827636867709796352 |
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| author | Alyssa Boccardi Kimberly A. Szucs Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Anand Mhatre |
| author_facet | Alyssa Boccardi Kimberly A. Szucs Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Anand Mhatre |
| author_sort | Alyssa Boccardi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Makerspaces can engage people with disabilities in the design and development of assistive technology (AT) that can enhance their capabilities to perform new activities and function. However, the adoption of makerspaces in the environments and institutions serving people with disabilities remains challenging. The authors modeled a makerspace training program, an environmental intervention, based on the capability approach framework. This mixed methods study investigates the feasibility of an 8-week program to train adults (<i>n</i> = 5) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and staff members (<i>n</i> = 5) at a community services center. Study outcomes were measured using knowledge tests, surveys, QUEST 2.0 and interviews. Results indicate a significant increase in staff’s knowledge (<i>p</i> = 0.035) and familiarity with program topics (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Participants with IDD were highly satisfied with the ease of use, weight and effectiveness of the AT devices they created. Five themes emerged from the thematic analysis of interviews: (1) inclusive environment, (2) freedom and improved <i>Capability</i> for building technology for self or client, (3) multidisciplinary collaboration, (4) interactive program elements, (5) makerspace challenges. Overall, the makerspace training program is a valuable program that empowers people with disabilities and ensures the realization of their right of autonomy to create their own AT. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:51:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-57a8acb51c7a4bb2a177ea8b21a38f8c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4698 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:51:31Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Societies |
| spelling | doaj.art-57a8acb51c7a4bb2a177ea8b21a38f8c2023-11-24T18:01:27ZengMDPI AGSocieties2075-46982022-11-0112615510.3390/soc12060155Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesAlyssa Boccardi0Kimberly A. Szucs1Ikenna D. Ebuenyi2Anand Mhatre3Occupational Therapy Department, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USAOccupational Therapy Department, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USADepartment of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USADivision of Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USAMakerspaces can engage people with disabilities in the design and development of assistive technology (AT) that can enhance their capabilities to perform new activities and function. However, the adoption of makerspaces in the environments and institutions serving people with disabilities remains challenging. The authors modeled a makerspace training program, an environmental intervention, based on the capability approach framework. This mixed methods study investigates the feasibility of an 8-week program to train adults (<i>n</i> = 5) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and staff members (<i>n</i> = 5) at a community services center. Study outcomes were measured using knowledge tests, surveys, QUEST 2.0 and interviews. Results indicate a significant increase in staff’s knowledge (<i>p</i> = 0.035) and familiarity with program topics (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Participants with IDD were highly satisfied with the ease of use, weight and effectiveness of the AT devices they created. Five themes emerged from the thematic analysis of interviews: (1) inclusive environment, (2) freedom and improved <i>Capability</i> for building technology for self or client, (3) multidisciplinary collaboration, (4) interactive program elements, (5) makerspace challenges. Overall, the makerspace training program is a valuable program that empowers people with disabilities and ensures the realization of their right of autonomy to create their own AT.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/12/6/1553D printingassistive technologycapabilities approachdevelopmental disabilityinclusionintellectual disability |
| spellingShingle | Alyssa Boccardi Kimberly A. Szucs Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Anand Mhatre Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Societies 3D printing assistive technology capabilities approach developmental disability inclusion intellectual disability |
| title | Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
| title_full | Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
| title_fullStr | Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
| title_short | Assistive Technology Makerspaces Promote Capability of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
| title_sort | assistive technology makerspaces promote capability of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities |
| topic | 3D printing assistive technology capabilities approach developmental disability inclusion intellectual disability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/12/6/155 |
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