Assistive technologies for cognitive augmentation

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR COGNITIVE AUGMENTATION

Carolyn Jenkins-Haigler

COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

Cognitive limitation is difficulty with one or more of the basic functions of the brain: perception, memory, expression, processing skills Expression limitation may limit ability to speak,

write, and follow social norms Memory limitation may limit ability to recall recent

or past events, form mental images of things seen or heard, and learn sequence of tasks or activities

Processing limitation may limit ability to focus on a given task, organize/schedule tasks, problem solve, understand accurately perceived sounds/images, and understand and complete self care functions

LOW VISION

Low vision denotes a level of vision that is 20/70 or lower and cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses. Low vision usually interferes with the performance of daily activities, such as reading or driving.

BLINDNESS Blindness is the condition of lacking visual

perception due to physiological or neurological factors.

Most visual impairments are due to eye diseases such macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes.

PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS A physical impairment is any disability

which limits the physical function of limbs or fine or gross motor ability. Examples include partial or total paralysis or

traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, amputation, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

A hearing impairment is a hearing loss that prevents a person from totally receiving sounds through the ear. Impairments range from mild to severe.

An AT device is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”.

What Is Assistive Technology?

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS

COMPUTER SOFTWARE Scan and read Word prediction Simplified word processors Voice recognition Brainstorming and organization

SCAN AND READ SOFTWARE

Wynn Read and Write Gold

WORD PREDICTION SOFTWARE

Co:Writer Word Q Read and Write Gold

VOICE RECOGNITION SOFTWARE

More likely to be successful if: Motivated due to a disability Good attention to detail Have patience – high tolerance for frustration Have support and training Speak clearly Already understand word processing & punctuation

•Dragon Naturally Speaking•SpeakQ•MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)

PDAS

COMBINE AS MUCH TECHNOLOGY AS

POSSIBLE Smartphones

PDA’sPhonesCameras (KNFB Mobile Reader w/ speech)GPS’s

iPods as digital voice recordersNano 2nd Generation and Video have

microphones as added accessories. Many people know how to use these and they are more intuitive to use than digital voice recorders.

LET’S NOT FORGET LOW TECH…

MEDICATION REMINDERS

WATCHES, TIMERS AND CLOCKS

RECORDERS

VISUAL ASSISTANTVisual Assistant provides supports for helping an individual sequence and perform an activity. It has pictures and custom recorded speech that helps the individual in the real world environment.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FORLOW VISION

MAGNIFICATION SOFTWARE ZoomText Magic Lunar

ZoomText Magic

VIDEO MAGNIFIERS

EnhancedVision Merlin

Freedom ScientificTopaz

OptelecClearview

VIDEO MAGNIFIERSEnhanced Vision

Merlin

GW Micro Senseview

OptelecCompact

VIDEO MAGNIFIERS

Optron PCT ABISee Zoom-Ex

LOW TECH SOLUTIONS

20/20 pens bold, lined paper

OTT lighting hand magnifiers signature guides

20/20 pens

bold lined paper

hand magnifiers

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR

BLINDNESS

SCREEN READING SOFTWARE

JAWS (Job Access with Speech)Window Eyes

NOTETAKERS

Braillenote

Pacmate

Braille Plus

REFRESHABLE BRAILLE DISPLAYS

Pacmate Braille display

Brailliant Braille display

STANDALONE SCANNERS

Extreme Reader

SARA

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

FOR BRAILLE PRODUCTION Duxbury software Romeo

Tiger

Juliet

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGYFOR

PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS

KEYBOARDS

One handedErgonomic OnscreenSmallLargeUnique

POINTING DEVICES Trackballs- mainstream products available in

computer retail stores and specialty products such as P&G roller plus trackball

Ergonomic Head or mouth controlled (Jouse, HeadMouse

Extreme)

3M Ergonomic

AirObic

Jouse

Trackball Emotion

EvolutionMouse-Trak

Footime Foot

SPEECH RECOGNITION SOFTWARE

Dragon naturally speaking SpeakQ MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)

ERGONOMICS Forearm support Wrist rests Keyboard trays Desk height Chair Foot rests

SWITCH ACCESS Switch selection Switch site software

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR

THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

SIGNALING DEVICES

Devices to notify households of events including the telephone or doorbell ringing, baby crying, audio alarms, and more via flashing lamp, a bed shaker and vibrating personal signaler.

alarm clock

COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Video Communication devices Teletypewriters (TTY) PC TTYs Network TTYs TTY/Carry-Over

Telephones

EXAMPLES OF TTYS