Co-designing Digital Technologies to Support People with Learning Disabilities in the Context of Smart Cities

Abstract

Over the past ten years, advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have shaped how people communicate with others and have provided them with access to information about their cities and everyday living. The agenda around smart cities seeks to augment current cities’ physical infrastructure by creating tools and technologies that help with information management, service provision, and citizen empowerment; this involves supporting various forms of participation in public deliberation and democratic processes. With around 55% of the world’s population living in urban areas today, and with an expected gradual escalation to 80% by 2050, this has encouraged digital exploration and intervention specifically tailored towards these urban environments. Considering the interleaving of smart cities infrastructures and the opportunities for citizens to fully participate in taking action and making change in their life, technology plays a major role in empowering citizens and ensuring their access to urban places and services. However, urban spaces frequently remain inaccessible to people with learning disabilities due to various environmental and social factors. This research discusses findings from empirical, theoretical, and design-based explorations of potential technology use to support people with learning disabilities within urban environments. The empirical work provides the ground understanding of the everyday accessibility challenges and current practices to overcome them. The theoretical part highlights the growing research around urban accessibility and smart cities as well as participatory research with people with learning disabilities. The design work discusses methods of engagement with participants with learning disabilities and findings from the design of ideas and prototypes co designed with them. In addition, I draw upon my discussion with a group of expert stakeholders in related domains to evaluate digital prototypes. Finally, this thesis reflects on these engagements and explores their implications of provisioning digital applications to inform inclusive smart cities.