An implementation study to promote participation in leisure through mobile app gamification and awareness (CHILD-BRIGHT Jooay)

Contact

Anna Radzioch: anna.radzioch@mail.mcgill.ca 

Principal Investigators

Keiko Shikako (Canada Research Chair in Childhood Disabilities, McGill University)

Project summary

Play is essential for every child, but children with disabilities face challenges finding activities that are adapted for them. The Jooay App was created to help children and youth with disabilities identify and engage in community-based leisure activities like sports, arts, and camps in their neighbourhoods. Currently, Jooay is used by over 5,400 rehab and education professionals, families, and youth across Canada, however, the app could benefit over 800,000 Canadian children and families who have a disability.  

In Phase 2, we are working with partners to co-design interactive features (such as gamification, rewards, customization) that were highlighted in Phase 1, and we are developing knowledge mobilization and implementation strategies to scale and spread the use of the app across Canada and for different groups, particularly youth with disabilities, municipalities, and community partners. 

Research theme: BRIGHT Realities – Projects to effectively bring interventions into the lives of children and their families

Audience: Children and youth with disabilities and their families.

Phase 1 study: Jooay App: Promoting Participation in Leisure

Project updates

2023-24

The CHILD-BRIGHT Jooay project has received research ethics approval for its study at all four study sites. We have conducted the gamification co-design studies, developed personalized gamification to enhance user’s experience and reviewed best practices recommendations for the implementation of knowledge brokers’ networks.

Follow our work

Website: www.jooay.com 

Jooay social media: Facebook | Facebook community | Instagram | Twitter/X

Jooay YouTube tutorials: English | French

Members on social media: @KeikoShikako