OPTICAL SECTIONING THAT PRESERVES USEFUL DEPTH OF FIELD

Not Available Achieving greater levels of independence for individuals with mental retardation depends upon a number of key skiffs that must be learned to a proficiency level. One of the significant barriers that exists for individuals with cognitive limitations is time management and adhering to a schedule. The ability to reliably perform tasks according to a schedule is a key to independent living, e.g., taking correct medications on time, and for maintaining employment, e.g. getting to work on time or knowing when to move on to the next task. People with mental retardation are often quite limited in time management skills. The proposed research will demonstrate the application of a portable device designed to increase independence and self-determination in time management for individuals with mental retardation. The long-term objective is to develop Schedule Assistant, a pocket-sized Windows CE based software system for providing automated schedule management support. The Schedule Assistant system will generate automated onscreen visual prompts using color pictures in combination with audio prompts using digitally recorded verbal messages in response to a time-based schedule of events to help the user maintain a schedule and perform time-sensitive vocational tasks. The research focus is on building and field testing a Schedule Assistant prototype to assess its effectiveness for improving independence in meeting time requirements in scheduled tasks, and reducing supervision requirements for individuals with mental retardation. The Schedule Assistant prototype will benefit from other research projects conducted by AbleLink staff under previously funded NIDRR grants. Specifically, the development effort for the Schedule Assistant prototype will be build on work done in developing Visual Assistant, a Windows CE based training tool for teaching community-based vocational tasks. In this project the Schedule Assistant requirements will be identified, followed by development of a software prototype that can be used to test the Schedule Assistant concept in the Phase I pilot test. Field testing in Phase I will be in coordination with Colorado Springs School District # 11's Transition Program and Cheyenne Village, an adult service agency for individuals with disabilities.