Still picture telephone use by persons with profound mental retardation: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

A common perception is that persons with mental retardation are not expected to be able to benefit from advanced technology. This pilot study describes how four adults with profound mental retardation use one form of advanced communication equipment, namely still picture telephones. The findings based on questionnaires, interviews, diary notes and records refute the belief that mental retardation and high tech are not incompatible. On the contrary, the study suggests that a still picture telephone may become a necessary support to get access to telecommunications for those persons.