what-when-how
In Depth Tutorials and Information
For an individual with a cognitive disorder, learning to travel using public trans-
portation can be essential to living independently. A Swedish research initiative
called the Isaac project proposed a PDA/cell phone/camera in the mid-1990s, to
help mentally handicapped people become more independent. Before these devices
became commonplace among American citizens, it was proposed as a prompting
system to assist in travel.
A tool called he Visions System is a technology that was also developed to
help the disabled live a more independent life. his home-based product used a
computer to prompt an individual to do simple household tasks. his idea was
later expanded to PDA technology so that the prompting system would be mobile.
Adding audio and visual prompts allowed individuals to learn and relearn certain
task from the palm of their hand.
hrough the pilot studies, an architecture was developed to allow cognitively
impaired travelers to navigate transit systems without fully comprehending a com-
plex, artifact-laden technique. he goal of this architectural design is to help the
user effectively communicate with transit personnel as well as provide real-time
support for “selecting a destination, locating the right bus, preparing to board,
boarding the bus, signaling the driver where to get of, and disembarking.” [2] he
architecture can be contained in a small mobile device, PDA, or cellular phone,
allowing each user easy access. Table 14.2 explores some of the different functions
prototype models would include.
he different prototype functions were developed to assist users in several ways.
he Personal Travel Assistant (PTA) gives the traveler a real-time map location of the
diferent transit vehicles and the user himself. his allows the user to estimate wait
time and to determine if they are traveling in the correct direction. his device also
provides “just-in-time prompts and detects breakdowns by using real-time telemetry
data (i.e., location, speed, and direction) from buses and travelers.” [2] From the hand-
held device, the user can select a presaved destination, and the device will provide
step-by-step directions to their destination to include which transit vehicles to take.
Table 14.2
PrototypeFunctionandDescription
PersonalTrainingAssistant
—Attached GPS components on transit vehicles will
provide real-time locations for users. This will allow easier navigation and
estimated wait times.
Memory-AidingPromptingSystem(MAPS)
-Allows users and caregivers the
opportunity to program and personalize the Personal Training Assistant.
Lifeline
-Provides the real-time location and task status of the user. Allows
caregivers or emergency organizations the ability to support the user remotely.
Source:
Stefan Carmien et al. Socio-technical environments supporting people
with cognitive disabilities using public transportation.
ACM Transactions on
Computer-Human Interaction (TOCHI).
Vol. 12, No. 2. pp. 233-262, June
2005.
