Childhood and Assistive Technology: Growing with opportunity, developing with technology

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Disability Studies
• Pediatric Health Technology

Background:

• Assistive technology (AT) is vital for children with disabilities, supporting communication, mobility, and daily activities.
• Access to AT enhances quality of life and integration into education, social life, and family.
• Inadequate AT access leads to exclusion from services, impacting lifelong civic participation and employment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of assistive technology in the development and participation of children with disabilities.
• To identify systemic barriers preventing equitable access to assistive technology for children with disabilities.
• To emphasize the need for a rights-based, systemic approach to AT provision for children.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on assistive technology access for children with disabilities.
• Analysis of barriers based on international conventions (CRC, CRPD).
• Examination of environmental, policy, product, and personnel-related obstacles.

Main Results:

• Lack of awareness, policy support, appropriate products, and trained personnel are significant barriers.
• Environmental and cultural factors further impede AT access.
• Children's growth necessitates frequent AT adjustments, posing unique challenges.

Conclusions:

• Systemic approaches are required to ensure children with disabilities have access to necessary assistive technology.
• Addressing awareness, policy, product design, and service provision is crucial.
• Children's specific needs, including growth-related changes, must be considered in AT provision.