
Philosophy
When considering what technology solutions are best for an individual, it’s important to have a person-centered approach. Each person is unique and there is not one technology solution that is right for all people. Therefore, before considering specific technologies, it is best to start with considering the individual’s specific life goals and what supports are needed to facilitate the attainment of these life goals. For example, someone may set a goal to arrive at their workplace on time for the start of their work shift. However, some people have difficulty estimating the passage of time and this might result in increased tardiness. Merely prompting someone to be ready in an hour or by a specific time may not be sufficient to support their success. Therefore, what might be needed is a type of support that enhances the ability for this person to stay on schedule. Technology can be a useful tool by helping someone plan for and organize important activities (e.g., work, doctor’s appointment, chores, etc.) and remember important steps needed to be ready for and/or engage in those activities (e.g., work tasks, cooking recipes, personal hygiene routine, pack a lunch, wait for transportation, etc.). Combining a digital calendar with electronic reminders (e.g., audible reminders such as “it’s time to brush your teeth”) may help someone become more successful in meeting such goals, without always necessitating the physical presence of a caregiver, who historically may have provided these prompts or supervised these activities. As another example, someone may have in the past accidentally started fires while cooking. These incidents will often limit an individual’s confidence in becoming more independent in the kitchen. In order to accomplish this, the person may benefit from having a cooking environment that enhances safety and reduces dangers related to cooking. There are a number of technology solutions that can be used to reduce the risk of a fire by automatically shutting down the stove and oven when someone walks away for a pre-set period of time (e.g., 5 minutes).