Tools for Daily Living

General Adaptive Technology Resources

Craig Hospital: Adaptive Tech Lab Resources: A categorized list of various tools available to help individuals to be independent.

Specific Topic Areas

Managing Schedules/ Tasks

  • Weekly/ Monthly Planners: Keep written notes of upcoming events, tasks, appointments, etc.
  • Alarms/ Timers: An alarm can help you stay on task and/or be used as a reminder of a task that needs to be completed (such as a medication). Examples of timers can include egg timers, countdown timers, interval timers, alarm watches (that are familiar to you), cell phone alarm
  • Reminder Apps for Smartphones: Apps can be found for smartphones that remind you of upcoming appointments and tasks. Medication reminder apps are also available which allows you to enter medications, medication information, a photo of the medication, refill reminders and expiration reminders.
  • Google Resources: Google Calendar syncs across multiple devices (phone, computer, tablet) and the calendar can be shared with family members/caregivers so they can add items to the calendar. Individuals can also set up notifications/reminders, and color code events on Google calendar. Google Keep also syncs across multiple devices and has many functions such as voice memos, transcribe text from images, color code notes to stay organized, and the ability to set location-based or time-based reminders to notify you of what needs to be accomplished when you reach a set location or at the specified time.

Tasks Affiliated with School

  • Note-taking Software: Enables you to record speech to text as you take notes. Tap a section of your notes to automatically replay the audio from that point in time. Examples include Livescribe or AudioNote.
  • Computer Access Resources: Craig Hospital provides information on adaptions and technological resources that are available to help individuals effectively use a computer. Other items that may be helpful are keyboard key guard, large button keyboard, keyboard key topper (alters colors so letters are easier to read), alphabetically ordered keyboard, etc.
  • Assistive Technology Evaluation: If you believe your child can benefit from assistive technology in the classroom as a result of his/her brain injury, request that the school carry out an assistive technology evaluation.

Driving

Driving requires numerous skills such as problem solving, divided attention, reaction speed, etc. and these factors can influence an individual’s ability to drive safely.