Functional activity and mobility: A new technology-aided program to support people with intellectual and visual disabilities

Background People with intellectual disability and severe visual impairment or blindness tend to have low levels of functional activity engagement and low levels of mobility/ambulation. Objective The study assessed a new technology-aided program to support four adults with intellectual disability and blindness in their activity and mobility engagement. Methods The program was implemented following single-case research methodology. The activity consisted of completing object kits. The objects needed for the kits were distributed over a relatively large space and the participants moved around that space to collect them and distribute them in the kits. The program (a) was based on the use of a smartphone, tags with radio frequency identification codes, and a tag reader linked to the smartphone, and (b) ensured that the participants would receive physical support, verbal instructions, and preferred stimulation. Results During the baseline phase (without the program), the participants were unable to engage in activity and mobility. During the intervention (using the program), all participants managed to engage in activity and mobility correctly completing the object kits available during the sessions. Conclusions The results suggest that the program might be useful to support activity and mobility in people like the participants of this study.