Chapter 1: General introduction. A specific group of people with disabilities includes individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). However, individuals with PIMD form a heterogeneous group regarding the origins of their underlying conditions leading to profound disabilities …

Background: Despite the growing interest in smart glasses, it is striking that they are not widespread among health care professionals. Previous research has identified issues related to social interactions involving the use of smart glasses in public settings, which may differ from those associated …

The domestic use of natural gas for heating is the prevalent option in the Netherlands. However, heat pumps will be mandatory in most Dutch households by 2026. Therefore, insights are needed in how citizens perceive this technology, by taking into account various societal, technological, economic, environmental, …

Background:   Intellectual disability (ID) is a developmental disorder that causes considerably below-average intellectual performance and adaptive behaviour. In the context of the present study, families raising a child with ID are reported to experience multiple challenges that appear not to be well …

Physical and social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic had the potential to jeopardize health and well-being of older adults. Especially older adults who lived alone faced challenges due to restrictive COVID-19 measures. In this study, we explored views and support needs to maintain health …

The Dutch healthcare system suffers from the ‘care gap’: its inadequacies to deliver healthcare services for growing numbers of clients. AI-systems are designed to remedy these problems, but for social acceptance these innovations must be realized with a human-centric approach. The research focuses on …

Smart glasses have the potential to transform healthcare, but their acceptance and use are under pressure due to concerns about social interaction around smart glasses, such as privacy, intended use, and the social isolation of the user. However, the value is seen in healthcare, where they could potentially …

Airborne wind energy (AWE) is an emerging renewable energy technology that uses kites to harvest winds at higher altitudes than wind turbines. Understanding how residents experience a local AWE system (AWES) is important as the technology approaches commercialization. Such knowledge can help adjust the …

Smart glasses were perceived to be potentially revolutionary for healthcare, however, there is only limited research on the acceptance and social implications of smart glasses in healthcare. This study aims to get a better insight into the theoretical foundations and the purpose was to identify themes …

Metaverse, a burgeoning technological trend that combines virtual and augmented reality, provides users with a fully digital environment where they can assume a virtual identity through a digital avatar and interact with others as they were in the real world. Its applications span diverse domains such …