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Applied Cognitive Technologies to Support the Autonomy of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

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Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Increasingly, access to technology is a necessity if one is to participate fully in all life domains. Technology is critical to enable people with and without disabilities to live autonomous, self-determined lives. This article provides a synthesis of recent information concerning technology that might promote the autonomy of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on technology emerging from the field of applied cognitive technologies.

Methods

To explore these issues, we provided a synthesis of the major theoretical perspectives pertaining to autonomy and self-determination, emphasizing the notion of autonomy-as-volition, and selected exemplary research findings that illustrate how technology can promote autonomy.

Results

There is clear evidence that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be supported to be more autonomous across multiple domains using applied cognitive technologies.

Conclusion

In today’s ever increasingly technical world, access to usable technology is not simply a convenience, it is a necessity. If people with IDD are to be supported to live, learn, work, and play in their communities, they need to have access to cognitively accessible technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Road, Room 3134, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA

    Michael L. Wehmeyer

  2. AbleLink Smart Living Technologies, LLC, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, USA

    Daniel K. Davies & Steven E. Stock

  3. University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA

    Shea Tanis

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  1. Michael L. Wehmeyer
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  2. Daniel K. Davies
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  3. Steven E. Stock
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  4. Shea Tanis
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MLW organized and provided a first draft of the paper. DKD SEK and ST assisted with writing and finalizing the paper.

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Correspondence to Michael L. Wehmeyer.

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Wehmeyer, M.L., Davies, D.K., Stock, S.E. et al. Applied Cognitive Technologies to Support the Autonomy of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Adv Neurodev Disord 4, 389–399 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00179-2

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