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How can participatory design inform the design and development of innovative technologies for autistic communities?

Mark Brosnan (Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK)
Sarah Parsons (Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK)
Judith Good (School of Engineering and Informatics, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK)
Nicola Yuill (School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK)

Journal of Assistive Technologies

ISSN: 1754-9450

Publication date: 20 June 2016

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon on the opportunities and challenges of engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders during the design, development and evaluation of innovative technologies for people with autism. Autism is defined in part by difficulties in social communication and interaction, and is therefore particularly pertinent when considering the opportunities and challenges of participatory design (PD).

Design/methodology/approach

A series of presentations from key researchers and practitioners are reviewed, highlighting contemporary issues about how technologies have been designed to improve educational support using a range of methods and processes for stakeholder involvement.

Findings

Involvement per se does not constitute engagement as a design partner. The interdisciplinary nature of PD, combined with the viewpoints of communities beyond academia, need to be integrated in a manner that allows for different perspectives and voices, and for the “trace” of the contribution to be evidenced. The level of evidence required for demonstrating effective support needs to be considered in terms of both the outcomes of projects and the processes for involving stakeholders in PD.

Originality/value

This paper offers an up-to-date insight from lead researchers into key debates about the benefits and challenges of PD with autistic people and the broader autism community. Its value lies in raising questions about, and discussing evidence that challenges, some of the assumptions that underpin both PD processes and the needs of the autistic community.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The seminar series “Innovative technologies for autism: critical reflections on digital bubbles” is funded by the ESRC [ES/M002624/1] and is a collaboration between the Universities of Southampton, Sussex and Bath. The authors are very grateful to the rapporteurs who play an important and active role in summarising key information from the seminars and supporting the website and blog: Nigel Newbutt, University of the West of England; Clarence Singleton, Jo Black, Catherine Wise, Aurora Constantin, University of Bath; and Chris Girvan, University of Sussex.

Citation

Brosnan, M., Parsons, S., Good, J. and Yuill, N. (2016), "How can participatory design inform the design and development of innovative technologies for autistic communities?", Journal of Assistive Technologies, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 115-120. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAT-12-2015-0033

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Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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