Visual Assistant Keeps Users
on Task

Eden Melmed, AT Specialist New Castle County ATRC

Visual Assistant by AbleLink Technologies is a customizable, multimedia software application that runs on Windows CE palmtop computers (Figure 1). It was designed to help individuals with mental retardation and other cognitive impairments learn and maintain skills in a self-directed format. The software may be used in a variety of settings including home, school, and workplace.

Figure 1

Visual Assistant allows caregivers to set up instructional tasks by recording instructions and incorporating pictures of each step. Once created, the multi-modal task reminders provide both visual and auditory reminders of the job the user must complete. There are three modes to play back messages and view the pictures for each step.

The Play Only mode requires the user to press a single on-screen button to cycle through the steps in a task (Figure 2). The Play/Done mode provides the option to press a Done button to indicate completion of a step. These modes are useful when a sequence of steps needs to be repeated frequently, such as in an assembly position.

Figure 2

The To Do List mode is similar to a written “to do” list and is useful in settings where steps in a task do not need to be performed sequentially. In this mode, after a message plays the user presses the Done button to indicate that the step has been completed; if the step is not completed, the user presses the To Do button again to hear the next instruction. All steps marked as "Done" are removed from the set, while those not completed are replayed until the user indicates they have been finished. When the final step is completed, a feedback message is played to confirm that the user has completed all steps.

The Visual Assistant is a powerful support for independence by providing a portable training and reminder system. It is available as a complete system that includes a Pocket PC, an integrated digital camera, and a 64 MB memory card ($1,499). For more information about Visual Assistant, please visit the website at www.ablelinktech.com or contact your local ATRC.