1. Consortium for Handheld Technology Partnership for People with Disabilities Virginia Commonwealth University Principal Investigator: Joseph Wallace, PhD Project Director: Tony Gentry, M.A. OTR/L

2. CHT Project  Use handheld computers to improve functional performance of individuals with brain injury or autism  50 participants projected  Track outcomes

3. CNI-Partnership Project  Age 14 or over  Documented ABI or autism spectrum disorder  Measurable impairment in ADL performance  Functional vision and dexterity  Ability to follow one-step written or iconic commands  Caregiver available  Live in Virginia

4. Consumer PDAs  Timex Data Link watch  Palm Zire models  Pocket PCs  Alphasmart Dana  Add-on software

5. Therapist/Instructor’s Role  Functional assessment  Determine best device for participant  Train participant and caregiver  Include in daily organization routine  Follow-up consults  Gradually diminish supports  Post Assessment

6. 36 Participants So Far Blue = ABI (20)Red = Autism (16)

7. Functional Change - COPM Scores n = 20

8. Comments “I am absolutely amazed at how that [Timex Data Link] watch is working. It is incredible! The second it goes off, D___ jumps up and completes his task. I am so excited about the possibilities for his independence and responsibility level.” (mother of 14 year old boy with autism) “Before I got this PDA, I wouldn’t even remember to eat half the time. Now I‘ve got alarms for my medicines and appointments, my emails, my shopping list, even directions to places in town. It makes me feel like maybe I can start doing things again.” (35 year old with TBI)

9. Other Project Activities  Develop and deliver training materials  Collaborate with service providers  Team with other A.T. purveyors  Investigate disability-specific software applications  Partner with tech research teams  Outreach to other disability groups

10. Reflection, So Far…  Effective and inexpensive  Potential for expansion to other populations & settings  New software/new possibilities  Need for basic technologies  Computer literacy training

11. 2005 Plans  Add part-time trainer  Complete work with 50 participants  Outreach to Southside/Southwest  Ongoing presentations/trainings  Complete online training courses  Build/trial behavioral management software  Publish research findings  Seek research/development funding

12. The Future  New Research  Software Development  Learning Platforms  Smart Homes  Outreach to New Disability Groups