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Thread: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology

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Number of posts in this thread: 13 (In chronological order)

From: catherine
Date: Wed, Apr 08 2009 5:40PM
Subject: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
No previous message | Next message →

Hi,

In the process of preparing a presentation I will be giving in May, I am
looking for examples of people with various disabilities and their use
of technology. I have examples for visual, auditive and motor
disabilities (though would welcome any other resources). For example,
here in Québec, members of the Deaf community have created Espace
FrancoSourd[1], which is a Facebook type network with various features,
set up by deaf people.

Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding examples of projects for
people with cognitive disabilities. While there is a lot of material out
there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
use technology.

Any feedback would be appreciated.


Catherine


[1] www.francosourd.com

--
Catherine Roy
http://www.catherine-roy.net

From: Randi
Date: Wed, Apr 08 2009 6:05PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

Hi Kathryn,

This is interesting. I have a cognitive disability, MS, which is what
caused my blindness. I can't really think of ways technology has
helped me, other then maybe keeping things organized. Before I went
blind, I used the computer to help me stay organized, ie, reminders,
etc. With me, the cognitive part is not too severe, only when I'm
tired. And when I get fatigued to the point that it affects me
cognitively, honestly, I want nothing to do with the computer. Thats
only been since starting to use a screenreader, because it takes a lot
more cognitive energy.

A site you might look at is www.patientslikeme.com. They have a whole
section for neurological disorders. It's not very accessible for
screenreaders, so I haven't been back. But you might find people there
with more severe cognitive disorders that could point you in the right
research direction.

Let me know off list what you might find though, I'm curious.

Randi

On 4/8/09, catherine < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> In the process of preparing a presentation I will be giving in May, I am
> looking for examples of people with various disabilities and their use
> of technology. I have examples for visual, auditive and motor
> disabilities (though would welcome any other resources). For example,
> here in Québec, members of the Deaf community have created Espace
> FrancoSourd[1], which is a Facebook type network with various features,
> set up by deaf people.
>
> Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding examples of projects for
> people with cognitive disabilities. While there is a lot of material out
> there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
> community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
> projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
> use technology.
>
> Any feedback would be appreciated.
>
>
> Catherine
>
>
> [1] www.francosourd.com
>
> --
> Catherine Roy
> http://www.catherine-roy.net
>
>

From: Steve Green
Date: Wed, Apr 08 2009 6:10PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of catherine
Sent: 09 April 2009 00:40
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] looking for examples of cognitive disability and
technology

Hi,

In the process of preparing a presentation I will be giving in May, I am
looking for examples of people with various disabilities and their use of
technology. I have examples for visual, auditive and motor disabilities
(though would welcome any other resources). For example, here in Québec,
members of the Deaf community have created Espace FrancoSourd[1], which is a
Facebook type network with various features, set up by deaf people.

Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding examples of projects for people
with cognitive disabilities. While there is a lot of material out there on
how to make the Web more accessible to this particular community, there does
not seem to be anything in terms of interesting projects or concrete
examples where people with cognitive disabilities use technology.

Any feedback would be appreciated.


Catherine


[1] www.francosourd.com

--
Catherine Roy
http://www.catherine-roy.net

--

The only one I know of is www.peepo.co.uk. The site uses SVG and does not
work in Internet Explorer so I suggest you use Firefox. If you want to know
more about it I can put you in touch with the consultant who did much of the
research and development.

Steve Green
Director
Test Partners Ltd

From: Lauren O'Donovan
Date: Wed, Apr 08 2009 6:40PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

Hi,

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but its reading technology for
those with a variety of disabilities and it's used in some American schools.
This website has some short demo videos that may (or may not!) have what
you're looking for: http://www.kurzweiledu.com/v11overviewvideos.aspx

Lauren

On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 1:10 AM, Steve Green < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >wrote:

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of catherine
> Sent: 09 April 2009 00:40
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Subject: [WebAIM] looking for examples of cognitive disability and
> technology
>
> Hi,
>
> In the process of preparing a presentation I will be giving in May, I am
> looking for examples of people with various disabilities and their use of
> technology. I have examples for visual, auditive and motor disabilities
> (though would welcome any other resources). For example, here in Québec,
> members of the Deaf community have created Espace FrancoSourd[1], which is
> a
> Facebook type network with various features, set up by deaf people.
>
> Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding examples of projects for people
> with cognitive disabilities. While there is a lot of material out there on
> how to make the Web more accessible to this particular community, there
> does
> not seem to be anything in terms of interesting projects or concrete
> examples where people with cognitive disabilities use technology.
>
> Any feedback would be appreciated.
>
>
> Catherine
>
>
> [1] www.francosourd.com
>
> --
> Catherine Roy
> http://www.catherine-roy.net
>
> --
>
> The only one I know of is www.peepo.co.uk. The site uses SVG and does not
> work in Internet Explorer so I suggest you use Firefox. If you want to know
> more about it I can put you in touch with the consultant who did much of
> the
> research and development.
>
> Steve Green
> Director
> Test Partners Ltd
>
>
>

From: catherine
Date: Wed, Apr 08 2009 9:35PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

Thank you all for your responses, much appreciated !

As for peepo.co.uk, I was aware of this work but was unsure if it was
still active. If I am not mistaken, Jonathan Chetwend was the driving
force behind this endeavour. This might be something I can use. The
thing is, I would like to be able to show real examples of real people
using technology for whatever. All too often, we have abstract
discussions about people with disabilities but for the unitiated
especially (which will make up a good portion of attendees), nothing
beats real-life examples of people with disabilities using technology.

Best regards,


Catherine




--
Catherine Roy
http://www.catherine-roy.net

From: Peter Krantz
Date: Wed, Apr 08 2009 11:55PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 01:40, catherine < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> While there is a lot of material out
> there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
> community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
> projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
> use technology.
>

There are a lot things for persons with dyslexia. Some examples:

1. Speech enabled websites (e.g. with tools from voicecorp:
http://www.voice-corp.com/en/ or http://www.browsealoud.com/).

2. Enabling internet for people with dyslexia:
http://www.e-bility.com/articles/dyslexia.php

Regards,

Peter

From: Henny Swan
Date: Thu, Apr 09 2009 12:35AM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

An interesting project built by Christian Heilmann is Easy YouTube [1]

Prompted by Antonia Hyde, who works with people with cognitive
impairments at United Response, who voiced her concerns about a lack
of an easy to use media player at Accessibility 2.0, Christian went
and reskined YouTube so that it had bigger buttons, removed additional
clutter and made better use of colour. There are also bookmarklets
that can be added to the regular YouTube page so that you have a nice
big green button you can it click if you want to switch to Easy YouTube.

Antonia presented about it again at Scripting Enabled [3] so you can
get more background there. Her presentation contained lots of videos
of people using regular and then Easy YouTube (the presentation is
available as a video and transcribed). Easy YouTube also lead to Easy
Flickr [4] and Easy SlideShare [5] which may also be of interest.

Cheers, Henny

[1] http://icant.co.uk/easy-youtube/
[2] http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/direct/podcasts.html#hyde
[3] http://scriptingenabled.org/2009/01/video-antonia-hyde-on-learning-disabilities-scripting-enabled-london/
[4] http://www.wait-till-i.com/2008/06/13/easy-flickr-just-the-photos-please/
[5] http://icant.co.uk/easy-slideshare/about/index.html

On 9 Apr 2009, at 06:55, Peter Krantz wrote:

> On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 01:40, catherine < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> wrote:
>> While there is a lot of material out
>> there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
>> community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
>> projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive
>> disabilities
>> use technology.
>>
>
> There are a lot things for persons with dyslexia. Some examples:
>
> 1. Speech enabled websites (e.g. with tools from voicecorp:
> http://www.voice-corp.com/en/ or http://www.browsealoud.com/).
>
> 2. Enabling internet for people with dyslexia:
> http://www.e-bility.com/articles/dyslexia.php
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter
>

From: Phil Teare
Date: Thu, Apr 09 2009 4:00AM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

and www.textic.com

I'm dyslexic. I'm also CTO at Textic. I could tell you a fair amount about
the problems faced by dyslexic users of the web...

Good luck
Phil


Phil Teare,

CTO & Chief Architect, TEXTIC Ltd
http://www.textic.com

Mob: ++44 [0]7554016939
Home: ++44 [0]1628621432


2009/4/9 Peter Krantz < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >

> On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 01:40, catherine < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> > While there is a lot of material out
> > there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
> > community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
> > projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
> > use technology.
> >
>
> There are a lot things for persons with dyslexia. Some examples:
>
> 1. Speech enabled websites (e.g. with tools from voicecorp:
> http://www.voice-corp.com/en/ or http://www.browsealoud.com/).
>
> 2. Enabling internet for people with dyslexia:
> http://www.e-bility.com/articles/dyslexia.php
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter
>

From: Phil Teare
Date: Thu, Apr 09 2009 4:05AM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

The e-bility articled link is great. Thanks for that.

Phil Teare,

http://www.textic.com
CTO & Chief Architect, TEXTIC Ltd
Mob: ++44 [0]7554016939
Home: ++44 [0]1628621432


2009/4/9 Peter Krantz < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >

> On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 01:40, catherine < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> > While there is a lot of material out
> > there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
> > community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
> > projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
> > use technology.
> >
>
> There are a lot things for persons with dyslexia. Some examples:
>
> 1. Speech enabled websites (e.g. with tools from voicecorp:
> http://www.voice-corp.com/en/ or http://www.browsealoud.com/).
>
> 2. Enabling internet for people with dyslexia:
> http://www.e-bility.com/articles/dyslexia.php
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter
>

From: Steve Green
Date: Thu, Apr 09 2009 9:55AM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disabilityand technology
← Previous message | Next message →

-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of catherine
Sent: 09 April 2009 04:32
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] looking for examples of cognitive disabilityand
technology

Thank you all for your responses, much appreciated !

As for peepo.co.uk, I was aware of this work but was unsure if it was still
active. If I am not mistaken, Jonathan Chetwend was the driving force behind
this endeavour. This might be something I can use. The thing is, I would
like to be able to show real examples of real people using technology for
whatever. All too often, we have abstract discussions about people with
disabilities but for the unitiated especially (which will make up a good
portion of attendees), nothing beats real-life examples of people with
disabilities using technology.

Best regards,
Catherine

--
Catherine Roy
http://www.catherine-roy.net

From: Jan Heck
Date: Thu, Apr 09 2009 12:20PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

Catherine, you and all the members of this list may be interested in the
following:

There is an excellent project that focuses on learning to use a PDA or
"pocket PC" to help individuals with cognitive disabilities (including those
with acquired brain injuries). You can find more info at
http://pda4memory.com/. Here's some info from the home page:

---------------------------------------------------------------

Making Cognitive Connections for Brain Injury Survivors

Memory Compensation Using the Pocket PC: Making Cognitive Connections for
Brain Injury Survivors (Windows Mobile 5 version) is the first in a series
of books and training materials designed specifically for use by brain
injury survivors. Survivors of acquired brain injuries (ABI), also known as
traumatic brain injuries (TBI), typically experience struggles with memory
and cognitive skills which affect their daily functioning, their
relationships and their self-esteem. One brain injury survivor who used the
book in conjunction with a PDA workshop offered through Coastline Community
College had the following comment:

The Pocket PC has been a transformative tool in my life. It has
strengthened my ability to be independent, efficient, and productive. It has
given me hope and a concrete vehicle with which to create a new fulfilling
and fruitful future for myself.

How Did the Project Come to Be?

Memory Compensation Using the Pocket PC: Making Cognitive Connections for
Brain Injury Survivors (Windows Mobile 5 version) was created by two
individuals with over 40 years combined experience working with brain injury
survivors. Initially, the PDA was used with students from the Coastline
Community College Acquired Brain Injury Program who suffered from severe
memory deficits. The students successfully learned to use the PDA as a
memory/cognitive prosthetic. We soon found the PDA training could open up
opportunities for students to work on a wide array of other cognitive
skills. Given students' natural interest in memory, we realized there is no
better context for cognitive retraining than within memory compensation
training itself, especially if we provide a cognitive connection to their
own real-life experience. Coastline's ABI Program has implemented the PDA
and book into its daily curriculum with great success and, in 2007, adopted
the Pharos 535+ GPS/PDA as the device of choice.

What Makes this Series of Books and Training Materials Different?

Unlike a typical memory workbook or PDA manual, which many users find
frustrating and technical, this book is much more than a reference source;
it is consciously structured to be a learning tool for adults with ABI. For
each PDA function, users will:

* Read about what it is and how to do it;
* Follow steps to perform that function on the PDA;
* Make the cognitive connection by learning what cognitive skills are
being used to perform the task; and
* Identify real-life examples from outside the realm of the PDA which
require use of the same cognitive skill.

Our book is unique because it goes beyond the traditional memory workbook or
PDA training manual. It teaches how to use a PDA by focusing on the
cognitive skills (attention to detail, sequencing, etc.) required to
successfully learn the PDA, and then has the user apply those same cognitive
skills to their everyday lives.

We use the PDA (i.e., Pocket PC) training, applied in particular to
memory compensation techniques, as a relevant, real-life activity. Not only
do we teach you how to use the PDA, but we also provide structured exercises
to help you make cognitive connections between what you are learning to do
with the PDA and your life. So we are simultaneously providing general
cognitive stimulation, attempting to build specific new neural pathways,
preparing you to apply what you are learning to real life, and teaching you
a highly effective memory compensation strategy.

---------------------------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of catherine
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 4:40 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] looking for examples of cognitive disability and
technology

Hi,

In the process of preparing a presentation I will be giving in May, I am
looking for examples of people with various disabilities and their use
of technology. I have examples for visual, auditive and motor
disabilities (though would welcome any other resources). For example,
here in Québec, members of the Deaf community have created Espace
FrancoSourd[1], which is a Facebook type network with various features,
set up by deaf people.

Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding examples of projects for
people with cognitive disabilities. While there is a lot of material out
there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
use technology.

Any feedback would be appreciated.


Catherine


[1] www.francosourd.com

--
Catherine Roy
http://www.catherine-roy.net

From: Owens, Parker
Date: Thu, Apr 09 2009 1:00PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | Next message →

I wish I could remember where I read about this, but apparently there is a gps device application that captures where you parked, and can get you back to your car by gps directions. There is also a way to view all nearby establishments so you can get walking or driving directions to the post office or a deli, for instance.

This would be for individuals with short term memory problems. The pda suggestion was very good as well.

Parker Owens
Web Accessibility Office
Eastern Kentucky University
254 Case Annex
Richmond, KY 40475
 
Phone: (859) 622-2743
http://www.accessibility.eku.edu

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This e-mail transmission, including any attachments, is private and confidential and contains information intended to be conveyed only to designated recipient(s). If you are not a designated or intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in this transmission is strictly PROHIBITED and may be unlawful. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify me by e-mail, telephone or return mail at the address above. Thank you.


-----Original Message-----
From: catherine [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 7:40 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology

Hi,

In the process of preparing a presentation I will be giving in May, I am
looking for examples of people with various disabilities and their use
of technology. I have examples for visual, auditive and motor
disabilities (though would welcome any other resources). For example,
here in Québec, members of the Deaf community have created Espace
FrancoSourd[1], which is a Facebook type network with various features,
set up by deaf people.

Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding examples of projects for
people with cognitive disabilities. While there is a lot of material out
there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
use technology.

Any feedback would be appreciated.


Catherine


[1] www.francosourd.com

--
Catherine Roy
http://www.catherine-roy.net

From: J. B-Vincent
Date: Thu, Apr 09 2009 4:10PM
Subject: Re: looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
← Previous message | No next message

Parker: I wrote about this device a few months ago in the "Access on Main Street" blog:

http://www.accessonmainstreet.net/2008/12/17/not-exactly-global/

--Jane Vincent

--- On Thu, 4/9/09, Owens, Parker < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

From: Owens, Parker < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology
To: "WebAIM Discussion List" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 11:56 AM

I wish I could remember where I read about this, but apparently there is a gps device application that captures where you parked, and can get you back to your car by gps directions. There is also a way to view all nearby establishments so you can get walking or driving directions to the post office or a deli, for instance.

This would be for individuals with short term memory problems. The pda suggestion was very good as well.

Parker Owens
Web Accessibility Office
Eastern Kentucky University
254 Case Annex
Richmond, KY 40475
 
Phone: (859) 622-2743
http://www.accessibility.eku.edu

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This e-mail transmission, including any attachments, is private and confidential and contains information intended to be conveyed only to designated recipient(s). If you are not a designated or intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in this transmission is strictly PROHIBITED and may be unlawful. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify me by e-mail, telephone or return mail at the address above. Thank you.


-----Original Message-----
From: catherine [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 7:40 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] looking for examples of cognitive disability and technology

Hi,

In the process of preparing a presentation I will be giving in May, I am
looking for examples of people with various disabilities and their use
of technology. I have examples for visual, auditive and motor
disabilities (though would welcome any other resources). For example,
here in Québec, members of the Deaf community have created Espace
FrancoSourd[1], which is a Facebook type network with various features,
set up by deaf people.

Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding examples of projects for
people with cognitive disabilities. While there is a lot of material out
there on how to make the Web more accessible to this particular
community, there does not seem to be anything in terms of interesting
projects or concrete examples where people with cognitive disabilities
use technology.

Any feedback would be appreciated.


Catherine


[1]  www.francosourd.com

--
Catherine Roy
http://www.catherine-roy.net