Tölvumál - 01.10.2012, Page 41

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information in these photos, such as time or location, can also be
useful. Pictures can also be used to explain complex sequences
or to document and communicate ones day.
Most smartphones have integrated GPS, which can be of great
use for people with difficulties to orientate themselves in their
environment. Maps can provide an overview, directions can be
given and one can get help to compare street views and get
localization. This can help people to dare to be more spontaneous
and independent, and if something goes wrong the possibility to
send GPS coordinates via a text message can be of great help.
A calculator can be used if mental arithmetic is problematic or
stressful. In a shop, one can calculate discounts and final sums in
forehand to avoid surprises or manage a budget. There are also
other possibilities of budget managing that can be installed in
smart phones, from simple ones to more advanced and even
banking.
Many with cognitive impairments get stressed in situations with
many people or other stimuli. These can be shielded off, using
functions in the smartphone such as listening to music or audio
books, playing games or surfing the internet. These functions can
also be used to manage stress in other situations and to relax or
unwind.
Since so many functions can be integrated in a phone, one can
have them there just in case, or to use for an area that is not so
problematic. This can save physical and mental resources that
can be used for an area that is more problematic or that the
person values more.
There are countless other applications and uses that can be
downloaded to a smartphone, to manage bus travel, to play
games, to navigate, remember or to administer social networks.
Or just for the pure fun of it. One’s imagination is the limit, and with
proper help and the willingness to try a smartphone can be of
immense help to people with cognitive impairments.
Yet, technology must integrate seamlessly into the user’s life and
environment in order to be useful. It does not eliminate the need
for other people. Technology should never be used to “normalize”
a person, or to help the environment manage the person, but to
help the person manage its own life and to be the best version of
oneself possible. If used properly it can diminish differences and
augment resources, but it is never the whole solution. Technology
is something we encounter everywhere in today’s society,
something which is ubiquitous in our everyday lives and something
we need to relate to when we want to make our lives work.
Technology is a part of the world we have to deal with, but also a
part of all the tools we have at our disposal when dealing with that
world.
Technology is something we encounter everywhere in today’s society,
something which is ubiquitous in our everyday lives and something
we need to relate to when we want to make our lives work.
Technology should never be used to “normalize” a person, or to help
the environment manage the person, but to help the person manage
its own life and to be the best version of oneself possible.