ATAP FUNDING REPORT
Message from ATAP's Project Director:
ATAP is pleased to learn that national research is focusing attention on the needs of individuals with cognitive impairments. ATAP has connected with mental health service providers to educate them about the benefits of AT devices to reduce functional limitations of memory loss, distractibility, and the side-effects of medication. ATAP will continue to advocate on behalf of increased use of AT devices and services for individuals with cognitive impairments.
Regina Connor |
Assistive Technology And Cognitive Disabilities
As part of its research agenda, NIDRR, the National Institute on Disabilities and Rehabilitation Research, has created a long-range plan for improving innovation and access to assistive technology (AT). One priority area for NIDRR research involves using AT to enhance cognitive function. The goal of this research is to minimize the substantial barriers to function and social integration that result from limitations in perception, processing information, organizing thoughts, concentration, memory, and decision-making. The research is intended to benefit persons with a range of disabilities, including mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, stroke, mental illness, and dementia. In advancing research in this area, NIDRR has three objectives:
1.To assure that new general technologies being developed will meet the needs of those with cognitive limitations and not exacerbate their exclusion from mainstream;
2. To develop AT that will assist people with cognitive disabilities in the performance of daily living activities (e.g., cuing devices, trackers and wandering devices, and portable instructional technologies); and
3. To develop AT that can enhance or restore some cognitive function (e.g., automated devices to improve memory).
One NIDRR-funded project within this priority is being conducted by a collaborative partnership involving the Brain Injury Association of America, the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and two Institutes for Disabilities/Centers for Excellence at Temple University and the University of Akron. This project assesses the use of several types of information technologies by children and adults with cognitive disabilities, specifically individuals with TBI and mental retardation.
Outcomes include: (1) a catalog of existing portable devices for memory and organization (2) a list of features that enhance or inhibit use of these general purpose and special-use technologies, (3) results of needs surveys regarding use of these technologies, (4) white papers describing project findings, (5) tip cards to assist families in purchasing devices, (6) stronger partnerships between the consumer and research and development communities, and (7) recommendations for memory and organization device modifications and features for individuals with brain injury and mental retardation.
This project will host a free webcast on its work to date on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 1 PM Eastern time. Allan Bergman, CEO of the Brain Injury Association, and Dr. Roberta DePompei, Ph.D. from the University of Akron will speak. To join the webcast, go to the website http://weboffice.dl.uakron.edu before the webcast starts. In the big yellow box there is a link in black that says, “Find an Office.” Click on this link, and then click on the link for “Roberta DePompei” on the left to join the meeting.
Call ATAP in state at 1-800-916-8324 or 463-0202 (TTY) with your funding questions.
Partners in Removing Barriers and Improving Access to Assistive Technology
| TOP
| TechACCESS
Home Page |
TechACCESS of RI
Phone: 401-463-0202 (v/tdd)
FAX: 401-463-3433
In-State: 800-916-(TECH)8324
Contact:
TechACCESS of RI | techaccess@techaccess-ri.org|
Last Revised: May 17, 2004