Getting it Right – Unfolding Factors for Reporting on Participatory Design with Children with Special Needs

Paper in proceeding, 2015

In this paper, we argue that in order for researchers to learn from each other in the field of Participatory Design (PD) and children with special needs it would be beneficial to start using clearer descriptions and terms. Based on a literature survey, we will unfold and discuss several areas that we think are in need of clarification: The target group and the context, National differences between contexts, The aim of the technology, and The roles of children and adults. We recommend the following: 1. The target group should be defined more clearly by paying attention to the approach taken towards the disability as well as the context 2. Researchers should clarify their targeted national context for an international audience 3. The aim of the technology as well as the design process could be more explicitly communicated 4. The role of children in the design process could be described more clearly by referring explicitly to methods and techniques applicable in different phases of the design 5. The role of the adults in the design process should be described more clearly, and acknowledging that adults may play several roles Using these recommendations we think that it becomes easier for researchers to determine the relevance of findings and contributions from PD practice and apply them to their own research.