Expanding job options

Abstract

There is currently an emerging body of human-computer interaction research on computer skills in children and adults with Down syndrome, which so far seems to conflict with the assumptions based on the medical/clinical literature. Based on the medical/clinical literature, it would seem that the documented sensory and motor issues in children with Down syndrome would lead to difficulty with computer usage. Yet the research literature emerging from the human-computer interaction community indicates that many children and adults with Down syndrome can effectively use computers at an intermediate or advanced level. In the past, computer skills have not been considered as a potential job skill for adults with Down syndrome. This article discusses the existing literature on computer use and skills in people with Down syndrome, the existing environment of employment for adults with Down syndrome, and potential computer-related job categories for adults with Down syndrome.