Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A smartphone-based program enabling people with intellectual and other disabilities to access leisure, communication, and functional activities

  • Short Paper
  • Published:
Universal Access in the Information Society Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study assessed a new smartphone-based program to enable five adults with moderate intellectual disabilities and visual or visual-motor impairments to independently access leisure events, communication with distant partners, and functional activities. The program was evaluated through a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. During the intervention and post-intervention sessions, the participants used a Samsung Galaxy A10 smartphone and eight mini voice-recording devices. The smartphone was provided with a SIM card, Internet connection, and Google account, and fitted with MacroDroid. Four of the mini recording devices contained recorded requests for singers/bands’ songs (leisure). The other four contained recorded requests for telephone calls with preferred communication partners. During those sessions, periods in which the participants could engage in leisure and communication alternated with periods in which the smartphone invited them to carry out functional activities and presented verbal instructions for the activity steps. Data showed that during the baseline phase the participants’ performance was unsuccessful or only partially successful. During the post-intervention phase, on the other hand, all participants succeeded in independently accessing leisure events, making telephone calls, starting the activities, and performing those activities with high accuracy. These findings suggest that the aforementioned smartphone-based program might be quite helpful for people like those included in this study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Golisz, K., Waldman-Levi, A., Swierat, R.P., Toglia, J.: Adults with intellectual disabilities: case studies using everyday technology to support daily living skills. Br. J. Occup. Ther. 81(9), 514–524 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. King, G., Gibson, B.E., Mistry, B., Pinto, M., Goh, F., Teachman, G., Thompson, L.: An integrated methods study of the experiences of youth with severe disabilities in leisure activity settings: the importance of belonging, fun, and control and choice. Disabil. Rehabil. 36(19), 1626–1635 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Lancioni, G.L., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F., Sigafoos, J., Alberti, G., Chiariello, V., Buono, S.: Extended smartphone-aided program to sustain daily activities, communication and leisure in individuals with intellectual and sensory-motor disabilities. Res. Dev. Disabil. 105, 103722 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103722

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Badia, M., Orgaz, M.B., Verdugo, M.A., Ullán, A.M.: Patterns and determinants of leisure participation of youth and adults with developmental disabilities. J. Intellect. Disabil. Res. 57(4), 319–332 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Davies, D.K., Stock, S.E., Herold, R.G., Wehmeyer, M.L.: GeoTalk: A GPS-enabled portable speech output device for people with intellectual disability. Adv. Neurodev. Dis. 2(3), 253–261 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Lancioni, G.L., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F., Sigafoos, J., Campodonico, F., Zimbaro, C., Alberti, G., Trubia, G., Zagaria, T.: Helping people with multiple disabilities manage an assembly task and mobility via technology-regulated sequence cues and contingent stimulation. Life Span Disabil. 21(2), 143–163 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lin, L.P., Hsia, Y.C., Hsu, S.W., Loh, C.H., Wu, C.L., Lin, J.D.: Caregivers’ reported functional limitations in activities of daily living among middle-aged adults with intellectual disabilities. Res. Dev. Disabil. 34(12), 4559–4564 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cannella-Malone, H.I., Schaefer, J.M.: A review of research on teaching people with significant disabilities vocational skills. Career Dev. Transit. Except. Individ. 40(2), 67–78 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chan, J.M., Lambdin, L., Van Laarhoven, T., Johnson, J.W.: Teaching leisure skills to an adult with developmental disabilities using a video prompting intervention package. Educ. Train Autism Dev. Disabil. 48(3), 412–420 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Darcy, S., Green, J., Maxwell, H.: I’ve got a mobile phone too! Hard and soft assistive technology customization and supportive call centres for people with disability. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 12(4), 341–351 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Kagohara, D.M., van der Meer, L., Ramdoss, S., O’Reilly, M.F., Lancioni, G.E., Davis, T.N., Rispoli, M., Lang, R., Marschik, P.B., Sutherland, D., Green, V.A., Sigafoos, J.: Using iPods and iPads in teaching programs for individuals with developmental disabilities: a systematic review. Res. Dev. Disabil. 34(1), 147–156 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Lancioni, G., Singh, N., O’Reilly, M., Sigafoos, J., Boccasini, A., La Martire, M.L., Lang, R.: Case studies of technology for adults with multiple disabilities to make telephone calls independently. Percept. Mot. Skills 119(1), 320–331 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Light, J., McNaughton, D., Caron, J.: New and emerging AAC technology supports for children with complex communication needs and their communication partners: State of the science and future research directions. Augm. Altern. Commun. 35(1), 26–41 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Leopold, A., Lourie, A., Petras, H., Elis, E.: The use of assistive technology for cognition to support the performance of daily activities for individuals with cognitive disabilities due to traumatic brain injury: the current state of research. NeuroRehab 37(3), 359–378 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Lin, M.L., Chiang, M.S., Shih, C.H., Li, M.F.: Improving the occupational skills of students with intellectual disability by applying video prompting combined with dance pads. J. Appl. Res. Intellect. Disabil. 31(1), 114–119 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Ramdoss, S., Lang, R., Fragale, C., Britt, C., O’Reilly, M., Sigafoos, J., Didden, R., Palmen, A., Lancioni, G.E.: Use of computer-based interventions to promote daily living skills in individuals with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. J. Dev. Phys. Disabil. 24(2), 197–215 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Desideri, L., Lancioni, G., Malavasi, M., Gherardini, A., Cesario, L.: Step instruction technology to help people with intellectual and other disabilities perform multistep tasks: a literature review. J. Dev. Phys. Disabil. (2020) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-020-09781-7

  18. Mechling, L.C., Gustafson, M.: Comparison of the effects of static picture and video prompting on completion of cooking related tasks by students with moderate intellectual disabilities. Exceptionality 17(2), 103–116 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Mihaila, I., Handen, B.L., Christian, B.T., Hartley, S.L.: Leisure activity in middle-aged adults with Down syndrome: initiators, social partners, settings and barriers. J. Appl. Res. Intellect Disabil. (2020) https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12706

  20. Ricci, C., Miglino, O., Alberti, G., Perilli, V., Lancioni, G.E.: Speech generating technology to support request responses of persons with intellectual and multiple disabilities. Int. J. Dev. Disabil. 63(4), 238–245 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Lancioni, G.L., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F., Sigafoos, J., Alberti, G., Perilli, V., Chiariello, V., Buono, S.: An upgraded smartphone-based program for leisure and communication of people with intellectual and other disabilities. Front. Public Health 6, 234 (2018). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lancioni, G.L., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F., Sigafoos, J., Alberti, G., Chiariello, V., Desideri, L.: People with intellectual and visual disabilities access basic leisure and communication using a smartphone’s Google Assistant and voice recording devices. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2020.1836047

  23. Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F., Sigafoos, J., Alberti, G., Perilli, V., Chiariello, V., Grillo, G., Turi, C.: Case series of technology-aided interventions to support leisure and communication in extensive disabilities. Int. J. Dev. Disabil. 66(3), 180–189 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F., Sigafoos, J., Alberti, G., Perilli, V., Chiariello, V., Grillo, G., Turi, C.: A tablet-based program to enable people with intellectual and other disabilities to access leisure activities and video calls. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 15(1), 14–20 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Masina, F., Orso, V., Pluchino, P., Dainese, G., Volpato, S., Nelini, C., Mapelli, D., Spagnolli, A., Gamberini, L.: Investigating the accessibility of voice assistants with impaired users: mixed methods study. J. Med. Intern. Res. 22(9), e18431 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2196/18431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Pal, D., Arpnikanondt, C., Funilkul, S., Razzaque, M.A.: Analyzing the adoption and diffusion of voice-enabled smart-home systems: empirical evidence from Thailand. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-020-00754-3

  27. World Intellectual Property Organization.: WIPO Technology Trends 2021: Assistive technology (2021). https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4541. Accessed 3 June 2021

  28. Siebra, C., Correia, W., Penha, M., Macedo, J., Quintino, J., Anjos, M., et al.: Virtual assistants for mobile interaction: a review from the accessibility perspective. In: Proceedings of the 30th Australian Conference on Computer-Human Interaction, pp. 568–571 (2018)

  29. Pradhan, A., Mehta, K., Findlater, L.: “Accessibility Came by Accident” use of voice-controlled intelligent personal assistants by people with disabilities. In Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–13 (2018)

  30. Balasuriya, S.S., Sitbon, L., Bayor, A., Hoogstrate, M., Brereton, M.: Use of voice activated interfaces by people with intellectual disability. In: Proceedings of the 30th Australian Conference on Computer-Human Interaction, pp. 102–112 (2018)

  31. Carmien, S.: End user programming and context responsiveness in handheld prompting systems for persons with cognitive disabilities and caregivers. In: CHI'05 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1252–1255 (2005)

  32. Balboni, G., Belacchi, C., Bonichini, S., Coscarelli, A.: Vineland II. Vineland adaptive behavior scales, 2nd edn. OS, Firenze, Standardizzazione Italiana (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Sparrow, S.S., Cicchetti, D.V., Balla, D.A.: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (2nd ed.) (Vineland II). Pearson, Minneapolis (2005)

  34. Boat, T.F., Wu, J.T., National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.: Clinical characteristics of intellectual disabilities. In: Mental Disorders and Disabilities Among Low-Income Children. National Academies Press (US) (2015)

  35. Barlow, D.H., Nock, M., Hersen, M.: Single-case experimental designs, 3rd edn. Allyn & Bacon, New York (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Sanetti, L.M.H., Collier-Meek, M.A.: Increasing the rigor of procedural fidelity assessment: an empirical comparison of direct observation and permanent product review methods. J. Behav. Educ. 23(1), 60–88 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Siegel, S., Castellan, N.J.: Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences, 2nd edn. Macgraw-Hill, New York (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Davies, D.K., Stock, S.E., King, L.R., Brown, R.B., Wehmeyer, M.L., Shogren, K.A.: An interface to support independent use of Facebook by people with intellectual disability. Intell. Dev. Disabil. 53(1), 30–41 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Caouette, M., Lachapelle, Y., Moreau, J., Lussier-Desrochers, D.: Descriptive studies of caseworkers’ practices to support the development of self-determination of adults with intellectual disabilities. J. Policy Pract. Intellect. Disabil. 15(1), 4–11 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Kazdin, A.K.: Behavior modification in applied settings, 7th edn. Waveland, New York (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Boot, F.T., Owuor, J., Dinsmore, J., MacLachlan, M.: Access to assistive technology for people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review to identify barriers and facilitators. J. Intellect. Disabil. Res. 62(10), 900–921 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. De Witte, L., Steel, E., Gupta, S., Delgado Ramos, V., Roentgen, U.: Assistive technology provision: towards an international framework for assuring availability and accessibility of affordable high-quality assistive technology. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 13(5), 467–472 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Kazdin, A.K.: Single-Case Research Designs: Methods for Clinical and Applied Settings, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Travers, J.C., Cook, B.G., Therrien, W.J., Coyne, M.D.: Replication research and special education. Remed. Spec. Educ. 37(4), 195–204 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Ferron, J.M., Levin, J.R.: Single-case permutation and randomization statistical tests: present status, promising new developments. In: Kratochwill, T.R., Levin, J.R. (eds.) Single-Case Intervention Research: Methodological and Statistical Advances, pp. 153–183. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC (2014)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  46. Martin, J.K., Martin, L.G., Stumbo, N.J., Morrill, J.H.: The impact of consumer involvement on satisfaction with and use of assistive technology. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 6(3), 225–242 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Steel, E.J., Layton, N.A., Foster, M.M., Bennett, S.: Challenges of user-centred assistive technology provision in Australia: shopping without a prescription. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 11(3), 235–240 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Brown, I., Hatton, C., Emerson, E.: Quality of life indicators for individuals with intellectual disabilities: extending current practice. Intellect. Dev. Disabil. 51(5), 316–332 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Kocman, A., Weber, G.: Job satisfaction, quality of work life and work motivation in employees with intellectual disability: a systematic review. J. Appl. Res. Intellect. Disabil. 31(1), 1–22 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Owuor, J., Larkan, F.: Assistive technology for an inclusive society for people with intellectual disability. Stud. Health Technol. Inform. 242, 805–812 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Dillon, C., Carr, J.: Assessing indices of happiness and unhappiness in individuals with developmental disabilities: a review. Behav. Interv. 22(3), 229–244 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Stasolla, F., Caffó, A.O., Damiani, R., Perilli, V., Di Leone, A., Albano, V.: Assistive technology-based programs to promote communication and leisure activities by three children emerged from a minimal conscious state. Cogn. Process 16(1), 69–78 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Plackett, R., Thomas, S., Thomas, S.: Professionals’ views on the use of smartphone technology to support children and adolescents with memory impairment due to acquired brain injury. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 12(3), 236–243 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Worthen, D., Luiselli, J.K.: Comparative effects and social validation of support strategies to promote mindfulness practices among high school students. Child. Fam. Behav. Ther. 41(4), 221–236 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Mihailidis, A., Melonis, M., Keyfitz, R., Lanning, M., Van Vuuren, S., Bodine, C.: A nonlinear contextually aware prompting system (N-CAPS) to assist workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities to perform factory assembly tasks: System overview and pilot testing. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 11(7), 604–612 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Corso Italia 23, 70121, Bari, Italy

    Giulio E. Lancioni

  2. Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

  3. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Mark F. O’Reilly

  4. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Jeff Sigafoos

  5. Lega F. D’Oro Research Center, Osimo, Italy

    Gloria Alberti & Francesca Campodonico

  6. University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Lorenzo Desideri

Authors
  1. Giulio E. Lancioni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nirbhay N. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark F. O’Reilly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeff Sigafoos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Gloria Alberti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Francesca Campodonico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Lorenzo Desideri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulio E. Lancioni.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by an institutional Ethics Committee. All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

The participants’ legal representatives provided written informed consent for the participants’ involvement in the study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F. et al. A smartphone-based program enabling people with intellectual and other disabilities to access leisure, communication, and functional activities. Univ Access Inf Soc 22, 581–590 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-021-00858-4

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-021-00858-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation