The workshop addresses the emerging field of research on robotics, assistive technologies and interaction design promoting play for physically, visually, and hearing impaired children and for emotionally and mentally handicapped children. Interactive devices including toys, pets and educational tools as well as interactive collaborative environments may represent a unique opportunity for disable children to full engage in play and have fun. The Creative Interactive Play workshop presents a collection of innovative interactive technologies and case studies for inclusive play and discusses the challenges and opportunities they can bid to disabled children.

This paper provides a methodological perspective regarding the design of ambient computing systems informed by the notion of Aesthetics of Interaction. This approach stemmed from the growing complexity that is offered by interaction when computation is distributed in the environment and embodied in all sorts of objects. In this work the notion of Aesthetics of Interaction in ambient computing systems is challenged by the use of the Soft Requirements as tools that complement the existing design methodologies based on participatory design approaches. The perspective presented is based on the work conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Siena Hospital - Italy as a part of the EU PalCom project. The outcomes provide a heuristic account, which informs the design process by fostering the novel complexity of ambient/palpable technologies in delicate and fragile settings.

This article provides a methodological perspective on the notion of the aesthetics of interaction in ambient computing systems. Aesthetics of interaction is challenged by the design proposal for the soft qualities of interaction, which is used as a tool to complement existing design methodologies. The perspective presented is based on work conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Siena Hospital in Italy, as a part of the EU PalCom project. The early outcomes provide a heuristic account which questions the design process by fostering the novel complexity of ambient technologies in delicate and fragile settings.