3D printed children's prostheses as enabling technology? The experience of children with upper limb body differences
Journal of Enabling Technologies
ISSN: 2398-6263
Article publication date: 30 September 2022
Issue publication date: 16 November 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the extent to which 3D printed children's prostheses function as enabling technology. The focus lies on the experiences of children with upper limb body differences using 3D printed prostheses in the context of (posthuman) cyborg theories.
Design/methodology/approach
This article is based on several years of field research applying a grounded theory approach. (Health) technology and the body are examined with special regard to the vulnerability of the technology user who is, also, the technology designer. Taking these children's particular vulnerability and sensitivity into account, the method of “cultural probes” was further developed applying distributed socio-(bio-)technical probes, which conceive soma design as the matter of a socio-material world.
Findings
It was shown that the e-NABLE device is not only a socially enabling somatechnic but can itself be limiting, vulnerable and painful for children due to its materiality. The somatechnical construction of children's bodies and identities are presented as heroic figures, which, in part, produces and experiences a corporeal being that is based on and identifies with these heroes and heroines – but may not always be in the interests of children with disabilities. In order to meet these children's needs, the author argues in line with crip technoscience that 3D printed prostheses should be co-developed with (and specifically for) them.
Originality/value
This paper is the first of its kind to consider the daily lives of children with 3D printed prostheses and their experiences as knowers and makers of such. This paper adds to the body of knowledge in the field of crip technoscience and enabling technologies.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon 10.1108/JET-02-2022-0017
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank those who were available for an interview, especially all the children and their families. The author also thank the Turkish regional e-NABLE chapter ROBOTEL for making her field research possible. In particular, the author would like to thank Zeynep Karagöz, co-founder of ROBOTEL, for her support. The author would like to extend her gratitude to the guest editors of the special issue, Marc Fabri and Nigel Newbutt and the anonymous peer reviewers for their careful reading, thoughtful comments and efforts towards improving this article.
Citation
Şahinol, M. (2022), "3D printed children's prostheses as enabling technology? The experience of children with upper limb body differences", Journal of Enabling Technologies, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 204-218. https://doi.org/10.1108/JET-02-2022-0017
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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