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.
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:
Though these technologies may seem basic, they can be incredibly helpful for people with cognitive disabilities who find everyday tasks difficult.
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:
In addition to these devices, many more general and specialized assistive technologies can help facilitate equal access to learning for students with cognitive disabilities.
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.
Assistive technologies like these can serve as a simple way to help a person with cognitive disabilities succeed and thrive in the workplace.
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.
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.