Background on AbleLink

1
ICDR Workshop on Technology to Improve Cognitive
FunctionJune 29-30, 2006 - Washington D.C.
Research, Development and Delivery of Cognitive
Support Technologies
Daniel K. Davies AbleLink Technologies,
Inc. Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Overview

• Introduction
• Cognitive Support Technology an Emerging Field
• Cognitive Technology Available Today
• Industry Standards
• Challenges in R, D D of Cognitive Technology
• A Model of Collaboration
• Evidence Based Research Collaboration
  Opportunities

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Introduction

• Began Research Specifically on Assistive
  Technology for Individuals with Intellectual
  Disabilities in 1991
• Founded AbleLink Technologies in 1997
• AbleLinks Mission
• Research, Development, and Delivery of
  Assistive Technology addressing the Specific
  Needs of Individuals with Intellectual and other
  Cognitive Disabilities.

John Roger Davies, my brother
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Needs-Driven Technology Solutions

• Needs Analysis, R D, Field Testing,
  Commercialization
• Develop research based assistive technology
  solutions to meet practical needs of individuals
  with intellectual disabilities by including
  individuals with disabilities, parents,
  professionals, and other caregivers throughout
  the process and through partnerships with
  organizations with the common vision to improve
  the quality of life for individuals with
  intellectual disabilities.

• Collaborating Organizations

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AbleLinks Research Funding Support

• Small Business Innovation Research Phase I (24
  projects)
• Duration 6 months each , funding agencies -
  NIDRR/IES NIH/NIA
• Small Business Innovation Research Phase II
  (13 projects)
• Duration 24 months each, funding agency
  NIDRR/IES NIH/NIA
• Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Projects (2
  projects)
• Duration 24 months each
• Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (1
  project)
• Beach Center on Disability/ University of
  Kansas
• Duration 60 months, funding agency NIDRR
• Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center -
  Advanced Cognitive Technologies (2 projects)
• Assistive Technology Partners/ Univ. of
  Colorado Health Sciences Center
• Duration 60 months, funding agency NIDRR
• Research Outcomes 15 journal articles book
  chapters (others pending)
• Research Outcomes 14 commercially available
  products (others in dev)

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Initial Research Focus Prompting Technologies

• Pocket Coach Pre-PDA PDA for individuals with
  intellectual disabilities, providing step-by-step
  verbal task prompting.

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Research-based Development Strategies

• Power of Technology to Simplify Life
• Personal Customization of User Interface
• Build on Strengths, Overcome Limitations
• Minimize Error, Maximize Success
• Self-Direction, Full and Partial Participation
• Empower Individuals with Tools for Living

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Cognitive Support Technology An Emerging Field

• Many Assistive Technologies exist for mobility,
• sensory, and communication disabilities
• Augmentative Communication Device Industry
  Example
• R D of devices from 1960s
• Commercial Devices Introduced
• - Efficacy studies conducted to
  demonstrate
• societal benefits
• - Outcome research effects
• funding legislation
• - Industry grows over four decades
• now dozens of manufactures with
• over 250 communication devices
• Field of Cognitive Support Technologies in its
  infancy
• - Experimental studies of benefits of
  cognitive support technology exist, but scope is
  limited
• - Very little evidence based research
  from longitudinal/ large sample size studies
• - Funding legislation has not been
  impacted - yet!

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Overview

• Introduction
• Cognitive Support Technology an Emerging Field
• Cognitive Technology Available Today Tools for
  the Toolbox
• Industry Standards
• Challenges in R, D D of Cognitive Technology
• A Model of Collaboration
• Evidence Based Research Collaboration
  Opportunities

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Independent Task Support
Instructional support technologies providing
visual and auditory prompts to facilitate
independent and accurate task performance.
Existing Technologies
Visual Impact
Pocket Compass
Visual Assistant
Pocket Coach
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Independent Task Support
Instructional support technologies providing
visual and auditory prompts to facilitate
independent and accurate task performance.
Application of Cueing Technology
? Daily living support, e.g. morning routines ?
Vocational support, e.g. assembly instructions ?
Decision making support ? Navigating complex
tasks, e.g. microwave operation
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Cuing Technologies Desktop

• Picture Coach First desktop prompting system for
  individuals with intellectual disabilities,
  providing step-by-step visual and verbal task
  prompting for individual or group living
  settings. Circa 1995.

Renamed Visual Impact in 1997
Also includes video playback
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Cueing Technologies PDAs
Decision Making Support
PDA Prompting Systems
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Scheduling Time Management
Technologies to support personal schedules by
providing visual and auditory reminders on
desktop or portable computers with easier to use
interface than traditional PDAs.
Existing Technologies
Schedule Impact
Schedule Assistant
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Scheduling Time Management
Technologies to support personal schedules by
providing time-based visual and auditory
reminders on desktop or portable computers with
easier to use interface than traditional PDAs.
Existing Technologies
Schedule Impact
Schedule Assistant
Life Application Examples
? Reminders to jog memory for daily activities
? Auto-initiation of task cueing instructions ?
Visual review of sequential activities of My Day
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Computer Access Providing an Integrated Solution
Tools simplifying computer access through
training, self-directed practice and a custom
interface which removes barriers of standard
operating systems and facilitates functional
integration of the end user experience.
Existing Technologies
Discovery Desktop
Pocket Discovery Desktop
Compskills
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Internet Access Leveling the playing field
Simplified access to the benefits of the Internet
through use of pictures, audio, and a simplified
web browser and search engine.
Existing Technologies
Web Trek
Visual Search Site
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Web Trek Internet Browser
Available Since 2001
Accessible web browser, picture-based Internet
search engine, and simplified screen reader.
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Communication
Tools for facilitating communication, such as
audio email and picture-based cell phone for
non-readers.
Existing Technologies
Pocket ACE (mobile phone)
Web Trek Connect E-Mail Client
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Web Trek Connect Email
Available Since 2001
Picture and audio-based email program designed
specifically for users with cognitive
disabilities that have difficulty reading and
writing.
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Pocket ACE
(Accessible Communication Enabler)
Available Since 2005

• Accessible, picture-based cell-phone, visual
  phone-book, and wireless audio email.

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General Curriculum Access
Tool to encourage independence in accessing the
general curriculum by eliminating barriers
related to significant literacy deficits.
Existing Technologies
Rocket Reader
QuestNet
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General Curriculum Access
Tool to encourage independence in accessing the
general curriculum by eliminating barriers
related to significant literacy deficits.
Life Application Examples
? Students can read books in literature class ?
Self-directed test and survey taking ? Access
textbooks in the NIMAS format
Accommodations for curricula with disabilities
Accommodations for disabled curriculum
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Rocket Reader
Audible Version Available Since Fall 2005
PDA based program for accessing electronic
documents, audio Books, and textbooks in the
NIMAS national file format.
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Overview

• Introduction
• Cognitive Support Technology an Emerging Field
• Cognitive Technology Available Today
• Industry Standards
• Challenges in R, D D of Cognitive Technology
• A Model of Collaboration
• Evidence Based Research Collaboration
  Opportunities

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Industry Standards Promote Industry Growth
Example World Wide Web (HTTP/HTML/XML) AIMS
(AbleLink Instructional Media Standard) A
cross-platform XML-based protocol for presenting
instructional media through computer-driven
prompting systems which provides a common
language for cueing technologies.
www.aimsxml.com
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Tools for Users to Build Share Instructional
Tasks
AIMS Task Builder Available for Free to Build
Tasks
Funding NIDRR, Pocket Compass Phase I Phase
II SBIR NIDRR, RERC Advanced
Cognitive Technologies IRAD
(Internal Research and Development)
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Challenges in R, D D of Cognitive Technology

• Developing for Small or Niche Markets
• Funding Availability for R D to Address
  Underserved Populations
• Funding Eligibility Restrictions
• Intellectual Property
• Lots of new foundations few usable buildings

Delivering Research Proven Cognitive Technologies
to Meet Practical Needs
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A Model for Collaboration
Co-Principal InvestigatorsCathy Bodine, PhD/
Michael Lightner, Ph.D.Assistive Technology
Partners University of Colorado Health Sciences
Center/ CU Boulder
R6. Technology to Promote Decision-Making Skills
and Self-Determination for Students with
Cognitive Disabilities This is a large-scale (n gt
250), randomized study that will investigate the
impact of cognitively accessible technology
(Decision Manager and JobQuest-AbleLink
Technologies) on the capacity of students with
cognitive disabilities to independently make
decisions related to the transition areas of
independent living, community inclusion,
recreation and leisure, and employment. Principal
InvestigatorMichael L. Wehmeyer, PhDKansas
University Center on Developmental
DisabilitiesUniversity of Kansas Co-Investigator
Daniel K. Davies, MAAbleLink Technologies
Funded Agency National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research
with additional funding from Coleman
Institute for Cognitive Disabilities
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A Model for Collaboration
Project Action Supporting Parents with
Intellectual Disabilities in Caring for their
Children Principal InvestigatorDavid OHara,
PhDWestchester Institute for Human
Development Co-InvestigatorDan Davies,
MAAbleLink Technologies
Funded Agency Westchester County Department of
Social Services
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Topics for Research to Build on Existing
Foundations
Opportunities for Evidence Based Research
Collaboration

• Replications studies with larger N/ longitudinal
  studies
• Evaluating the potential benefits and feature
  requirements for seniors
• Evaluating the potential benefits and feature
  requirements for other populations (TBI,
  significant learning disabilities)
• Evaluating the potential benefits and feature
  requirements in younger children
• Cost/Benefit or ROI analyses
• Impact on quality of life, self-determination
  measures
• Measures on impact for improving cognitive
  function

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Specific Examples of Collaboration Opportunities
Web Trek

• Universally Designed Multimedia Web Browser
• Phase I II NIDRR SBIRs, Sept. 1998 - August
  2001
• Studied independent usability as compared to
  Internet Explorer n 12 (within subjects
  design)
• Mean Diff. in average errors p lt .001
• Results published in Education and Training in
  Developmental Disabilities, Vol. 36, No. 1,
  2001.

Web Trek Connect

• Multimedia Email for non-readers
• Phase I II NIDRR SBIRs, Sept. 1998 - August
  2001
• Sample Implementation Heritage Christian
  Services, Rochester, NY 11 sites, 150 users
  with ID

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Projects Needing Further Field Research
Pocket ACE

• Simplified Picture Based Cell Phone
• Phase I NIDRR SBIR, October 2002 April 2003
• Univ. Kansas NIDRR DRRP, 2004-2005
• Studied independent usability as compared to
  mainstream Nokia cell phone n 22 (within
  subjects)
• Mean Diff. in average prompts p .001
• Mean Diff in average errors p lt .001

• Accessible electronic book reader
• Phase I II IES SBIRs, October 2004 June 2007
• Usability study compared to Microsoft Reader and
  Audible Reader n 49
• Results showed significant differences in average
  errors and assistance needed between experimental
• and control conditions
• No significant differences between two control
  conditions

Rocket Reader
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Projects Needing Further Field Research
Pocket Compass

• Electronic Prompting System with automated timing
  and decision support
• Phase I II NIDRR SBIRs, Sept. 2001 - August
  2004
• Studied effectiveness and usability as compared
  to
• demonstration practice training n 40
• Significantly less errors made p lt .001
• Significantly less assistance needed p lt .001
• Results published in Research Practice for
  Persons with Severe Disabilities, Vol. 28, No.
  4, 2003.

Schedule Assistant

• Accessible Multimedia Scheduler for non readers
• Phase I II NIDRR SBIRs, Sept. 1999 - August
  2002
• Studied effectiveness and usability as compared
  to
• written schedules n 12 (within subjects)
• Significantly less errors made p .001
• Significantly less assistance needed p .002
• Results published in Mental Retardation, Vol. 40,
  
• No. 5, October, 2002.

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Projects Needing Further Field Research
QuestNet

• Customizable Multimedia Internet software for
• independent test-taking by non readers
• Phase I SBIR, October 2003 - March 2004
• Studied independent usability as compared to
  paper-
• and-pencil tests n 22 (within subjects)
• Significant reduction in assistance needed to
  complete sample eight item test p lt .001
• Significant reduction in errors p .195
• Results published in Journal of Special Education
  Technology, Vol. 19, No. 4, Fall 2004

Job Quest

• Independently usable career interest inventory
  and job
• matching
• Phase I II NIDRR SBIRs, October 2002 Sept.
  2006
• Studied independent usability and comparison to
  expert predictions n 22 (within subjects)
• Results showed significant effectiveness in
  enabling students with ID to express job
  interests p lt .025

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Projects Needing Further Field Research
WorkRight SkillBuilder

• Computer animated simulation for self-directed
  social skills training
• Phase I NIDRR SBIR (Phase II pending), Sept. 2005
• - Feb 2006
• Studied potential for increasing social skills
  knowledge n 26 (pretest/posttest within
  subjects)
• Significant increase in social skills knowledge
  p .003
• Subjects required only .42 minutes of support
  time per session (ave. session length 10.5
  minutes)

WayFinder

• PDA GPS based multimedia public transportation
  support
• Phase I NIDRR SBIR (Phase II pending), Sept. 2005
  - Feb 2006
• Studied usability and comparison of written/map
  supports for riding new city bus route n 23
• Significant increase in ability to exit bus at
  prescribed location (Control 8 success
  WayFinder 73 success)

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Projects Needing Further Field Research
Home Care Assistant

• Step-by-step multimedia prompting for supporting
  family home health care providers
• Phase I II NIH/NIA SBIRs, March 2004 June
  2008
• Studied potential for decreasing stress levels in
  family home health care providers n 16
• Significant decrease in caregiver stress levels
  per MBRC Caregiver Strain Instrument as compared
  to control group p .039
• Subjects required only .42 minutes of support
  time per session (ave. session length 10.5
  minutes)

LCAI

• Self-directed auditory repetition priming/recall
  for non readers
• Phase I II IES SBIRs, Sept. 2004 June 2007
• Compared with WRAML Story Recall and Story
  Recognition subtests for administrative time
  requirements and outcome correlations n 22
  (within subjects)
• Significant reduction in administrative time
  requirements (p lt .001) while maintaining high
  correlation of results (.63-.79)

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Conclusion

• Cognitive Support Technology an Emerging Field
• Cognitive Technology Available Today
• Industry Standards Promote Industry Growth
• Challenges in R, D D of Cognitive Technology
• A Model of Collaboration Researchers
  Developers
• Numerous Opportunities Exist for Evidence Based
  Research and Building Beyond the Foundation

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Contact for Further Info
Contact Info AbleLink Technologies, Inc.
528 N. Tejon Street, Suite
100 Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Dan Davies, AbleLink Technologies, Inc.
dan_at_ablelinktech.com
719-592-0347
www.ablelinktech.com
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Tech Forum at www.aamrtechsig.com