To examine how electronic organizers (PDAs, handheld computers, voice organizers, watches, cell phones and Smartphones) can be used to promote the independence of people with cognitive disabilities

• Conduct surveys to identify current trends in the use of electronic organizers by people with cognitive disabilities.
  
• Conduct research trials of electronic organizers by people with cognitive disabilities
  
• Develop Web based catalog of current electronic devices
  
• Create an evaluation tool for assessing Web accessibility for cognitive disabilities
  

• www.closingthegap.com
  
  
• +03: First Magnifier Software Launched For Mobile Phones

• Summary of Assistive Technology for Persons with Cognitive Challenges: Coleman Institute Conference Special Meeting held October 23-24, 2005. Researchers exploring the use of assistive technologies for people with cognitive disabilities met with each other and with manufacturers of devices and software to discuss the status of mutual research initiatives. This report summarizes the discussions in terms of general observations, recommendations, challenges, and future ideas.
  

The first magnification software for mobile phones will be available by the end of this month, allowing users of compatible phones to enlarge their on-screen text by downloading the software over the web.

Various areas of a phone's screen display can be magnified, and the software can be configured to begin working as soon as the phone is switched on. Mobile Magnifier works with Nokia 3620; 3650; 3660; 6600; 6620; 7610; 7650; N Gage; N Gage QD; and Siemens SX1 handsets.

The software, whose price has not yet been decided, has been designed by Spanish programming company Code Factory (http://fastlink.headstar.com/code1). Testing for the system was undertaken by the technology department of Spanish blindness organisation Organización Nacional de Ciegos de Espana (ONCE - http://www.once.es).

"We believe this will be an exciting development and may well be a solution for some users," said Steve Tyler, Policy and ICT Access Manager at the RNIB. "Whether or not magnification software is the answer remains to be seen through evaluation, but we are clear that in surveys carried out by service providers, well over 40 per cent of users comment on not satisfactorily being able to read the screen along with [problems] accessing very small keys."

A web site where people can download Mobile Magnifier and access a list of distributors is now under construction at http://www.mobilemagnifier.com . "We have received interest from many companies and individual users so far and we are now negotiating with distributors in different countries," said Irja Emma Gerdes, sales and marketing representative at Code Factory. Until then, users can purchase the magnifier software via email from Code Factory and have the option to try it before deciding whether or not a make a purchase.

Code Factory has previously released screen readers for mobile phones such as Mobile Accessibility (http://mobileaccessibility.codfact.com/) and Mobile Speak (http://mobilespeak.codfact.com). Mobile Magnifier is compatible with Mobile Speak, allowing users to hear speech output and receive magnification simultaneously.

For more information on PDA phones, visit www.nohandcom.com/pda.html

• DePompei, R., Gillette, Y., Faithful, D. (2005, July). Collaborative works to determine the potential for electronic organizers to enhance memory and organizational skills for persons with cognitive challenges. TBI Challenge.
  
  
• Gillette, Y., DePompei, R. (2004, November) The potential of electronic organizers as a tool in the cognitive rehabilitation of young people. Neurorehabilitation, 19, 233-243.
  
  
• Gillette, Y., DePompei, R., Faithful, D. & Neff, D. (2005, June-July) The promise of generic technology for young people with cognitive disabilities. Closing the Gap, 24 (2).

• Hart, T. et al. (2004, Sept.-Oct.). Portable electronic devices as memory and organizational aids after traumatic brain injury: a consumer survey study. Journal of Head Trauma and Rehabilitation, 19 (5), 351-365.

• Carey, A., Friedman, M. & Bryen, D.N. (2005). Use of electronic technologies by people with intellectual disabilities  Mental Retardation: Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 322–333.

• Bryen, D.N., Carey, A., & Friedman (2007).  Use of cell phones by adults with intellectual disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 1–2.

• Friedman, M. & Bryen, D.N., (2005).Web accessibility guidelines for people with cognitive disabilities. Unpublished paper, Institute on Disabilities, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122.

   

In 2005, Diane Nelson Bryen and Mark Friedman of Temple University compiled a brochure offering suggestions to improve web accessibility for people with cognitive disabilities. Also included is the summary of a study regarding cell phone usage by adults with cognitive disabilities conducted by the aforementioned authors and Allison Carey. 

Drs. Yvonne Gillette and Roberta DePompei presented an update of the PDA device trails with youths who have memory and organizational problems as a result of TBI or Intellectual Disabilities. The presentation was at the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s national convention on November 19, 2005 held in San Diego, California.

Drs. Yvonne Gillette and Roberta DePompei of The University of Akron presented on the phases of the research on assistive technology. Phases include survey results and device trials. A few of the research subjects and their outcomes were discussed. The presentation was at California State University Northridge’s Annual International Conference held in Los Angeles, California from March 14-19, 2005. 

Sponsor: National Institute on Disabilities and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
Project Number: #H133A030810

Dr. Roberta DePompei and Dr. Yvonne Gillette of The University of Akron presented at The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) convention in November of 2007 in Boston, MA and at The Assistive Technology Industry Association's (ATIA) convention in Orlando, FL in January of 2008.  The presentation summarizes the phases of the project and includes two subjects studied through each of these phases.

In November 2001, the Brain Injury Association of America was awarded a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, to administer a five-year, multi-phase project on assistive technology for individuals with cognitive disabilities.

The Assistive Technology Research and Development on Cognitive Disabilities Collaborative will assess the use of several types of devices for memory and organization by children and adults with cognitive disabilites, specifically those with traumatic brain injury and mental retardation, to determine products and features that enhance function in school, work, and living environments.

Dr Yvonne Gillette and Dr Roberta DePompei presented results of the survey of students with memory and organizational challenges as a result of traumatic brain injury or intellectual disabilities. Students, their parent, and teacher were surveyed about knowledge about, exposure to, and desire to learn generic electronic organizers to aid with memory for functional situations. They were also tested on numerous devices to determine feature and function promotors and barriers. The University of Akron's findings were presented at the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association national conference held in Chicago, IL , November 15, 2003. The powerpoint presentation follows.

Dr Mark Friedman presented results of surveys of adults with intellectual challenges regarding their exposure to, knowledge of ,and desire to learn electronic devices to assist with memory and organization. They were also tested on numerous devices to determine feature and function promotors and barriers. Temple University's findings were presented at the international conference on technology and persons with disabilities (CSUN) held in Los Angeles, CA March 25, 2004. The powerpoint presentation follows.

Presentation at American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR),
June 2, 2004, Mark Friedman, Ph.D. and Debbie Robinson