ADL Access: A Cognitively Accessible Software Application for Augmented Self-Management of Activities of Daily

The previously conducted Phase I project had two goals: (1) to prototype and evaluate the feasibility of an intelligent computer-based task management application that would improve the ability of persons with cognitive disabilities to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and (2) to identify objectives for full development of a deployable system in a Phase II project. Intelligent multimedia computer agents offer an untapped resource to augment the functional cognitive ability of individuals with disabilities in community living setting who cannot use text-based and complicated commercial personal management applications. The Phase I results underscored the need for computer-based applications in this area and confirmed that the design prototype represents an application that is needed, feasible, and ready for Phase II development. The computer-based application is unique in that it is cognitively accessible and includes intelligent features for context aware task tracking. Users will be able to manually enter data on the accomplishment of personal care and household management tasks. The application will also be able to integrate data on task accomplishment that will be provided remotely by caregivers and by residential sensor networks, often referred to as “smart homes.” In either case, the user will benefit from augmented self-management ability.