Observation of use of technology of people with a Learning Disability
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the specific barriers and facilitators to the use of assistive technology as perceived by the residents of a supported living setting and the staff who work with them using an ethnographic methodological approach
IRAS ID
312705
Contact name
Benjamin Morris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Over 23,000 individuals with a learning disability (LD) in England live in supported living houses that are properties with staff who provide input to help people live independently. Assistive Technologies are products and services created to maintain or improve functioning (World Health Organization, 2017), are one of the potential ways that supported living settings meet the needs of their tenants, support independence, wellbeing, engagement and allow individuals to remain in their homes (Nicols, 2011). Such technology is of particularly relevance to those individuals who develop dementia, which is more likely in the learning disability population (BPS, 2015). Maintaining someone with a dual diagnosis of dementia and LD within their supported living can prove challenging for both client and the carers (Janicki et al., 2005; Cleary and Doody, 2017).) Despite the potential of assistive technology, successfully implementing technology has been historically challenging, with roughly 1 in 3 pieces of technology being abandoned (Federici 2016).
In order to study the potential of assistive digital technology, Brandon Trust (BT) have funded a PhD studentship with the University of Plymouth to explore the use of bespoke technology with clients with a learning disability and dementia/ cognitive changes to help them remain in their supported living setting. This specific study aims to explore and understand activities carried out by the residents in a specific setting and the factors that will impact technology implementation, in order to decrease abandonment rates of such technology.
The study will be carried out in a specific supported living setting (Zion House) run by Brandon Trust. The overall study will run for approximately six months including write up and will involve adults with a learning disability currently living at their setting and the staff who support them.REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
23/IEC08/0001
Date of REC Opinion
28 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion