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Transition Tuesday: Life Skills and Technology for Youth with CPAC and Jennifer Sullivan
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center
Overview
This presentation explores assistive technology (AT) as a crucial tool for fostering independence in young adults with disabilities. It covers a wide range of AT applications, from daily living and transportation to communication, academics, and home safety. The video emphasizes that AT exists on a spectrum, from low-tech to high-tech, and highlights resources available in Connecticut for trialing and borrowing devices. Personal experiences, including a detailed account from a student named Sophia, illustrate the practical impact of AT in overcoming challenges and enabling self-determination. The core message is that AT is a necessity, not a luxury, for accessing opportunities and achieving independence.
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Chapters
- Assistive technology (AT) is essential for young adults with disabilities to gain independence in various life domains.
- AT spans a spectrum from low-tech (e.g., step stools, whiteboards) to high-tech (e.g., specialized apps, smart home devices).
- It's never too early or too late to start exploring AT for transition planning.
- Connecticut offers resources like the Tech Act device loan program for free AT trials.
Understanding the breadth of assistive technology and available resources is the first step towards empowering young adults with the tools they need to navigate life independently.
A step stool used to reach a high cabinet is an example of low-tech assistive technology.
- Ridesharing apps (Uber, Lyft) and public transit options (paratransit, dial-a-ride) are vital for non-drivers to access education, employment, and community life.
- Learning to use these apps involves understanding nuances like pre-arranging rides, managing costs, and handling potential communication barriers or overcharges.
- Food delivery and grocery shopping apps support independent living by enabling access to meals and groceries, while also reinforcing executive functioning skills like planning and budgeting.
- Travel training, often included in IEPs, is crucial for teaching students how to safely and effectively use transportation and related apps.
Mastering transportation and daily living technologies removes significant barriers, granting young adults the freedom and autonomy to engage fully in their communities and pursue their goals.
A daughter used Lyft to get to work, appreciating the ability to pre-arrange pickups, though noting it was more expensive than other options.
- Speech-to-text tools (e.g., Google Voice Typing, Microsoft Voice Typing, Dragon Anywhere) aid in writing essays, emails, and applications by allowing users to dictate their thoughts.
- Text-to-speech tools (e.g., Kurzweil, Claro Reader, Snap and Read) read written content aloud, benefiting students with reading difficulties, visual impairments, or those needing to process information auditorily.
- Note-taking and recording apps (e.g., Glean, Otter, Livescribe Pen) help capture lectures and meetings, with transcription features supporting students who struggle with simultaneous listening and writing.
- Digital calendars (Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar) and reminder apps are essential for time management, helping individuals track appointments, tasks, and daily routines.
These technologies provide critical academic and organizational scaffolding, enabling students to succeed in educational settings and develop essential executive functioning skills for future independence.
Students can use text-to-speech apps like Snap and Read to have PDF documents, often uploaded by professors, read aloud to them.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and apps (e.g., Proloquo2Go, Go Talk) empower individuals with limited verbal communication to express themselves through pictures, words, and text.
- The choice of AAC should be personalized, matching the device and vocabulary to the individual's needs and communication style, with flexibility to adapt as needs change.
- Mobile payment apps (Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Cash App) facilitate electronic transactions, teaching financial literacy and independence.
- Budgeting apps like 'Modify' help visualize spending patterns and manage finances effectively.
Effective communication and sound financial management are cornerstones of independence, allowing individuals to connect with others, manage their resources, and participate fully in society.
Sophia transitioned from Go Talk to Proloquo for Text because it offered predictive text and better spelling capabilities, allowing her to express herself more fully.
- Wearable devices (Apple Watch, Fitbit) and health apps (MyPlate) promote personal wellness by tracking physical activity, sleep, and dietary intake, fostering self-monitoring and independence.
- Smart home devices (smart plugs, smart bulbs, voice assistants like Alexa) enhance accessibility and safety by allowing control over lighting, temperature, and appliances through apps or voice commands.
- Medication management systems (e.g., Hero device, specialized pill bottles) ensure adherence to treatment plans, crucial for independent living.
- Home security features like Ring doorbells, security cameras, and smart locks enhance safety and provide peace of mind for individuals and caregivers.
These technologies support health, safety, and daily living, enabling individuals to manage their well-being and live more autonomously and securely in their homes.
A Hero medication dispenser can be rented, loaded with up to 10 medications, and dispenses them at scheduled times, alerting both the user and a caregiver if a dose is missed.
Key takeaways
- Assistive technology is a spectrum of tools, not just high-cost gadgets, that significantly enhances independence for young adults with disabilities.
- Proactive exploration and trial of assistive technology are crucial for finding the best fit for an individual's unique needs and goals.
- Technology plays a vital role in enabling independence in critical areas like transportation, communication, academics, and daily living.
- Learning to use assistive technology is a skill that requires training, practice, and ongoing adaptation.
- Resources like Connecticut's Tech Act loan program provide invaluable opportunities to try devices before committing to purchase.
- Integrating assistive technology into IEPs and transition plans ensures that students receive the necessary support for post-secondary success.
- The ultimate goal of assistive technology is to foster self-determination and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Key terms
Assistive Technology (AT)Low-techHigh-techTransition PlanningTech Act Device Loan ProgramSpeech-to-TextText-to-SpeechAAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)Proloquo2GoSmart Home TechnologyExecutive Functioning SkillsSelf-Determination
Test your understanding
- What are the key differences between low-tech and high-tech assistive technology, and why is understanding this spectrum important?
- How can ridesharing apps and public transit options be leveraged to support the independence of non-drivers?
- Explain how speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies can assist students in academic settings.
- What are the essential considerations when choosing and using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices?
- How do smart home technologies contribute to safety and accessibility for individuals living independently?