Technology Needs, Knowledge, Barriers, and Uses by Persons with CD

1
Technology Needs, Knowledge, Barriers, and Uses
by Persons with CD

• Technology for Improving Cognitive Performance
  Conference
• Washington, DC
• June 2006
• Tamar Heller
• Department of Disability and Human Development
• University of Illinois at Chicago

2
Aims

• Assess needs, knowledge, use, and barriers from
  perspective of people with CD and their support
  persons
• Compare differences across groups
• AD, ID, and TBI
• Establish a national Technology Users with CD
  group (TUG) and a support persons Technology
  Users group (S-TUG) to provide input
• Evaluate degree to which information increases
  knowledge and use of technology among persons
  with CD and support persons

3
Research Questions

• What are differences in needs, knowledge, use,
  barriers and supports for 3 groups?
• What are the differing needs across the lifespan?
• To what extent are specific devices useful to
  each group?
• What types of information dissemination leads to
  increased awareness and use among people with CD
  and support persons?

4
Method (1)

• Focus Groups
• 6 TUG focus groups of 8-10 people in Chicago and
  CO (Years 1 and 3)
• Separate groups of TBI, AD, ID
• Collaborate with R3 in TBI groups
• Individual interviews prior to group,
  Semi-structured interview guide

5
Focus Group Protocol

• Preliminary Survey
• Demographic and personal history
• Cognitive difficulties and functional
  limitations
• What devices are participants aware of
• What devices have participants used
• What devices have participants tried but
  abandoned
• Demonstration of Sample Devices
• Prototype/mock-up versions of assistive
  technology devices

6
Focus Group Protocol

• Discussion of (up to) three scenarios.
• Each scenario presents a brief example of a
  person experiencing a cognitive or functional
  difficulty.
• Participants are asked to offer opinions about
  whether or not any of a variety of assistive
  technology devices would be, in their judgment,
  helpful in regard to the scenario problem.

7
Scenarios

• John is having trouble remembering how to do
  things. People who know John are frustrated
  because they want him to do well but he makes
  mistakes or doesnt remember. John and his boss
  are wondering if there is any assistive
  technology that might be able to help him do the
  things he has to do.
• Sample Questions
• Would a ____ help John remember how to do the
  things he has to do?
• Digital tape recorder
• Computer
• Wrist watch reminders
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) (with text or
  pictures)
• Cell phone
• What would you like about using a (insert) to
  help you remember how to do the things you have
  to do?
• What would you NOT like about using a (insert) to
  help you remember how to do the things you have
  to do?

8
Scenarios

• John goes to the recreation center for an
  exercise class. Even though his family members
  have helped him take the route many times, he
  still doesnt know how. John and his family are
  wondering if there is any type of assistive
  technology device that might help him get around
  better.
• John would like to stay in touch with friends and
  family, but is having trouble writing out his
  thoughts on paper. John is wondering if there
  is any type of assistive technology that can help
  him communicate with his family and friends
  better.

9
Results

• Held three DD focus groups Chicago and Denver
• Individuals with developmental disability
• Ages 20-61
• Technology Familiarity
• 13/23 have used a computer
• 7/23 have used a cell phone
• 2/23 had used a word processor with spell check
• 6/23 had heard of a PDA
• Technology abandonment (2 examples)
• Lift (too large for room)
• Picture book (too small to see)
• Voice Recognition (unreliable)
• PDA (too complicated)

10
Results

• Desirable features
• Size large enough to read/see
• Buttons big enough to push
• Voice control
• user friendly (ease of use reliable)
• Compatible with future software upgrades (so they
  dont have to buy a new device)
• Adaptable technologies (consumer-driven)
• Being able to test technology before buying
• Objects that rattle and vibrate
• Some participants accompanied by caregivers

11
Digital Key Chain Recorder

• Do you like itNo, it's too small
• What do you like?... You can hear your voice on
  it.

12
Talking Picture Book

• I like the picture book.
• I thought it was fun
• It's big and you can see clearly.
• Id use it to learn how to cook

13
(No Transcript)
14
Alzheimers

• We also held two Alzheimers focus groups with 7
  participants 3 caregivers
• Never heard of most technologies
• Less concerned with speed of technology
• More concerned with confirmation that messages
  sent were received (cell phone, fax)
• Hesitant to use b/c of lack of training and worry
  about remembering information
• Desire for training to be able to use

15
Alzheimers

• Technologies for caregivers benefits
• Selection of pictures
• Bigger screen on digital tape recorders
• Bigger buttons and text
• Speech recognition software

16
Method (2)

• Web-Based Survey of Support Persons
• Administered Years 2 and 4
• Sample of 750 support persons and persons with
  disabilities nationally, through the web
• Randomly selected intervention group receives
  general and specific information on their
  technology needs

17
Acknowledgements

• NIDRR, U.S. Department of Education, Grant
  H133E040019.
• Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities,
  University of Colorado.