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

Abstract

ABSTRACT Assistive technology is instrumental for the development and participation of children with disabilities by enabling their communication, mobility, and self-care. Technology also allows each child to explore the worlds of family relationships, friendships, education, play, and household tasks, enhancing their quality of life and that of their families. However, for the vast majority of children with disabilities, inadequate or no access to assistive technology excludes them from education, health, and social services, resulting in lifelong consequences to their participation in civic life and employment. The rights of children with disabilities, as described in the CRC and CRPD, require a systemic approach to the provision of access to assistive technology. In addition to environmental factors such as the quality of sidewalks for wheelchair users or cultural attitudes for those that require eyeglasses or prostheses, obstacles include: lack of awareness of the existence of certain technologies; absence of public policies supporting local availability and affordability; lack of products which have the adequate size, type, or quality; and insufficient personnel to provide referrals, fitting, training, and repairs. Children have additional challenges due to the fact that they are growing and require much more frequent adjustments or replacements of their assistive technology.