Questions of Informed Consent Relating to the Use of Haptic Suits as Assistive Technologies for Persons with Development and Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Technological innovation is seeing the convergence of haptic technologies with real-time 3D virtual environments and/or augmented reality technologies. Amongst the diverse applications of these innovations is their use as assistive technologies (ATs) for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, or persons with cognitive deficits, such as dementia.

This paper focuses on the question of informed consent in relation to researching and using these technologies (hereafter referred to simply as haptic suits). Informed consent is a standard requirement in research ethics, as well as in care scenarios, so it will be required for trials of haptic suits in general, and, when used as an ATs, will be required for use in care settings. Given the emphasis on involving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (PIDD) in researching and designing ATs for their use, the question of informed consent is urgent.