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Contenu archivé le 2022-11-15

Vocational Integration through Computer Assistance for Intellectually Disabled People

Objectif

VICAID will develop and evaluate a system, based on the use of 'palmtop' microcomputers as prosthetic aids, to support people with severe intellectual disabilities to perform complex work routines in integrated work settings.

Severe intellectual disability is frequently associated with long-term unemployment. Supported competitive employment is an innovative service response in which staff assist disabled persons to find jobs and then provide individualised 1:1 training at the actual work site. Its development has, however, been limited by the substantial amount of staff time invested, not only in initial training, but in on-going prompting and support.

The VICAID project will develop a system using `palmtop' microcomputers as job aids providing prompts and detailed instructions to assist people with severe learning disabilities to maintain performance of complex work routines without direct trainer support. The system will also have the capacity to fade prompts over time, thus increasing worker independence.

A comprehensive training package will teach agency staffs and co-workers of disabled workers to programme the palmtop to deliver a series of prompts appropriate to a specific job, and to support the disabled worker in using the device.

Technical Approach : The VICAID project will begin by defining and analysing the user needs and setting demands related to persons with severe intellectual disabilities in supported employment, reviewing existing educational technology and instructional procedures, and developing decision models for matching instructional approach to user need.

We shall develop input/output devices which enable persons with severe learning disabilities to use `palmtop' machines in real work-places without compromising portability and robustness. Radically simplified key input and graphical display output will be complemented by facilities to connect alternative input/output devices tailored to individual needs. The software developed will function in two areas, the first allowing a co-worker to programme a complex sequence of job prompts into the palmtop, and the second enabling the disabled person to flexibly access prompts as necessary. The training materials will comprise documentation, video and software for co-workers and support staff.

Throughout the VICAID project, an interactive design and testing process will involve people with severe intellectual impairments in evaluating the effectiveness and acceptability of the devices in laboratory and real-world work settings and identifying areas for improvement.

Impact and Expected Results: It is expected, by the end of the project to have developed and evaluated full working prototypes of the hardware, software, and training materials which together will comprise an integrated support package. The project will considerably improve access of persons with severe intellectual disabilities to real work opportunities by enabling a significant reduction in the costs of supported employment services.

The project developments will also facilitate access of persons with a range of cognitive and sensory disabilities to `palmtop' computers, opening up possibilities for using IT much more flexibly to solve problems of everyday living.

Appel à propositions

Data not available

Régime de financement

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinateur

Work-Place of Leicester Ltd
Contribution de l’UE
Aucune donnée
Adresse
4th Floor, Epic House Charles Street
LE1 3SH Leicester
Royaume-Uni

Voir sur la carte

Coût total
Aucune donnée

Participants (6)