Analysis of Methods for Evaluation of Assistive Technologies Focused on Computational Access of People with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Considering the digital advancement nowadays, technology comes closer to the population and generates concerns regarding user experience and interaction with machines. In relation to users with some kind of cognitive or motor disability, that is even more complex. Among the deficiencies, cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood. Therefore, it is relevant to develop research regarding accessibility and technology for these people, objectifying the digital inclusion and stimulation of autonomy. The present research intends to contribute with the improvement of studies concerning Inclusive Design focused on people with cerebral palsy and, indirectly, to other motor dysfunctions, by identifying assistive technologies that enable or facilitate the computational access to this audience and to raise methods of evaluation for these technological supports. Through a systematic bibliographic review from databases such as ProQuest, Scopus and Web of Science, classifications regarding the types of computational assistive technologies were found, as well as the relation of methods used in these papers. As results, it was possible to observe the predominance of participative methods, in which people with deficiency test and execute tasks for the evaluation. The methods here presented may facilitate the evaluation of existing assistive technologies for people with cerebral palsy and contribute with the validation of future prototypes with this purpose.