Cognitive and Speech Impaired User Stories

With so many different products and assistive technologies available, it can be hard to figure out what will suit your needs and will help you to communicate with others. The below personas have been adapted from real experiences; however, the names and stories have been changed.

1.    Bethany

Bethany has autism and is nonverbal. She used to carry around a communication board that she used to generate speech in person as well as to send messages. However, the cost to rent this device became too much, so she decided to try some downloadable applications on her Apple iPad tablet and iPhone.

She now uses the Proloque2GO application on her phone. She finds it helpful to be able to swap between using the pictures to generate messages and using text depending on the day and situation. Bethany uses the app for face-to-face communication as well as to send messages or emails on her phone. It allows her to connect to others.

For more information on the products and accessories that Bethany finds useful, visit the following links:

2.    Jarvis

Jarvis has athetoid cerebral palsy and has been using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Technology for many years. He had to try many different types of devices and applications to see which one suits his needs. Now he uses a combination of the Grid 3 software on his computer and tablet and Keeble on his phone.

However, involuntary muscle movement makes it difficult to target the icons on his screen. To help with this, he has purchased a customised physical keyguard that works with the Grid 3 software, allowing him to find the right icons easier. He has also found it helpful to use the built-in features on his mobile devices.

For example, he disables the screen timeout so that it doesn’t turn off when he is trying to do something. He also uses the Shortcuts applications. With help from his friend, he was able to set his most common actions, tasks, and messages to an icon that sits on the home screen of his device. For example, if he wants to send a message to his mother saying, “I am home safe”, he can do that but simply pressing one icon on the screen, rather than the many it would take to type and send the message.

For more information on the products and accessories that Jarvis finds useful, visit the following links:

3.    Elina

Elina uses technology to make sure her Downs Syndrome does not prevent her from communicating with friends or missing important social events. While she is using a lot of assistive technology at her university, helping her to improve her speech and communication, she sometimes struggles to use her mobile device as it is too cluttered.

For a few years, Elina used an Opel Easy Smart phone which has a simple design with limited features and shortcuts to contact family members. However, as she got older she decided to upgrade to a Samsung phone, to allow her to use more of the social media apps and programs that her friends were using. After attending an Android training session near her, she learnt that she could use the Easy mode feature on her device to make the home screen simpler, with larger icons and a simple layout.

Elina also uses the built-in reminders app that lets her set alerts and reminders in simple language for things she needs to remember, such as to make a doctor’s appointment or call her mum. Sometimes we will use voice memo and reminder applications instead, allowing her to record her speaking the reminder to play it back later, so she does not have to type it out. She has also started using shortcut and actions applications, as recommended by her friends.

For more information on the products and accessories that Jarvis finds useful, visit the following links:

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