Cognitive disabilities are a “set of conditions that create greater difficulty for people to perform one or more types of mental tasks than the average person.” 12.8% of US adults live with one. Though many disabilities fall under this umbrella term, the ones that do all have one thing in common: they make life difficult for the people who have them.
But there are tools that these people can use to mitigate the effects of cognitive disabilities. Assistive technology has been around for many years, and technological advances have led to an explosion of options.
Daily assistants
Everyday assistive technology comprises a variety of tools that can help a person get through daily life. Many people with cognitive disabilities have trouble with basic tasks, like remembering to brush their teeth or eat dinner, and assistive devices such as the following can help mitigate these difficulties:
- Smartwatches – Smartwatches can vibrate with set reminders to keep a person on schedule with daily tasks.
- Voice AI – Voice AI, like Amazon’s Alexa, can be set up to provide reminders about appointments and deadlines.
- Phone reminders – Push notifications offer a visual reminder of tasks and appointments every time a person looks at their phone.
Though these technologies may seem basic, they can be incredibly helpful for people with cognitive disabilities who find everyday tasks difficult.
Education
Students have a host of assistive technology options to help in school. Depending on a person’s specific cognitive disability, they may encounter challenges or barriers with certain classes or tasks. The following technologies can help mitigate a student’s challenges and support their success:
- Speech-to-text – For students with disabilities like dyslexia, using speech-to-text software can help overcome challenges with writing.
- Graphic organizers – These can help students with ADHD and other cognitive disabilities that disregulate focus to more effectively work on assignments.
- Talking calculators – If a student has a cognitive disability like dyscalculia, a talking calculator can help overcome challenges working with numbers.
In addition to these devices, many more general and specialized assistive technologies can help facilitate equal access to learning for students with cognitive disabilities.
Employment
Hectic workplaces can present a lot of competing input that might make it difficult to concentrate on work or complete tasks for employees with cognitive disabilities. However, most computers and software have a variety of assistive features built into them, and this technology can be extremely beneficial for employees with disabilities.
- Focus mode – Focus mode is meant to help improve concentration when working at a computer by minimizing distractions like notifications and ads. It can be activated using an operating system’s built-in feature if available, or facilitated or enhanced by using an app.
- Word-prediction software – This software helps people with cognitive disabilities who may struggle to find words by autocompleting or making suggestions based on predictions. These tools can help minimize frustration and improve efficiency.
- Screen magnifiers – Screen magnifiers may also help with focus by isolating what one wants to focus on, removing other content from view.
Assistive technologies like these can serve as a simple way to help a person with cognitive disabilities succeed and thrive in the workplace.
Future technology
The landscape of assistive technology is ever-changing. Although there is no perfect assistive technology, advancement is always happening and improvements are always being made. Technology has always been about innovation, and assistive technology is no different.
Change may come in the form of the further development of existing technology or the invention of new technology, but no matter how it comes, it has the potential to help countless individuals. Although not all people with cognitive disabilities use assistive technology, those who do stand to gain that much more agency in their lives.
Conclusion
There are many types of assistive technology available for people with cognitive disabilities, helping them overcome the challenges they may face with daily tasks, work, or pursuing education. And as innovation continues, more technologies are bound to emerge and become more widespread, reaching a broader audience and enhancing the lives of individuals with cognitive disabilities in increasingly impactful ways.
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