Digital Breakthrough: Mobile Technologies Such As Personal Devices And YouTube Can Help People With Intellectual Disabilities Face Challenges

A recent study shows that gadgets like tablets and smartphones can empower people with intellectual disabilities. With the use of these mobile technologies, they can produce videos that can describe their life experiences and achievements. They would be self-empowered while exhibiting their skills to their contemporaries.

Science Daily reports that the study was led by Ann-Louise Davidson, an associate professor in Concordia's Department of Education together with 8 co-authors. Issued in Social Inclusion, it involved participants who were asked to write and direct short videos about the significant aspects of their lives using iPads and tablets. Then, they uploaded them in YouTube channel with a common goal of expressing oneself nd inspiring others. Hence, the feedback seemed to be really affirmative -- getting high praises from lots of people. 

"The collective message we see in these videos is clearly one of the people with ID being able to lead the satisfying lives and feel good about living, working and playing on a daily basis," Davidson said. "And when people with ID see their peers' success, it inspires them."

The study shows positive results as all the participants delivered enough information about their skills and they were not intimidated by the use of mobile technology. Their capabilities such as living indecently, receiving an award, being involved in a various organization and making and having a paid job are all impressive and inspiring.

"With powerful mobile technologies so readily available and accessible, people with ID can and should produce their own educational resources," Davidson concluded.

WebMD describes Intellectual Disability (ID) which was also called before as mental retardation is characterized by mental disability or below-average intelligence and cannot cope with day to day living. On the other hand, they can learn the skills slowly. This means that people with intellectual disability are just a little slower than the average in terms of acquiring new sets of skills.