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Advanced Features that Can Serve as Cognitive Aids:

Some PDAs come with onboard digital cameras.  You can also acquire a portable camera that fits in the PDA’s memory slot or simply download photos from your personal computer directly to the PDA.  Photos can help your clients:

Remember names and faces
Photograph maps for worksite routes
Photograph task sites

For tips on taking digital photographs, click here.

Using Video Capabilities of PDAs:

All Pocket PCs have Windows Media Player onboard, and Palm PDAs either have a media player onboard or one can be downloaded cheaply (Kinoma is a good one).  This software allows you to download short videos to your client’s PDA.  Imagine all the ways that videos might be used to help her/him on the job and in the community!  Some ideas:

• A video that walks your client through a route on the job
• A video that shows the steps of a task (video can be paused or replayed)
• A video that introduces your client to coworkers (saying, “Hi, my name is ….”)
• A video that offers a relaxation routine or cues for managing on-the-job crises

Of course, to use the video capability of a PDA, you will need a video camera and video-editing equipment on your computer, along with the time needed to film, edit and download the video.  The upfront time commitment may be considerable, but think of the time and worry saved once your client has a PDA loaded with the videos he/she needs!

GPS-Enabled PDAs (both Palm and Pocket PC versions)

Garmin makes PDAs with route-mapping software and audio-visual prompts for individuals to use while driving in unfamiliar locations.  Individuals with cognitive impairment sometimes can get lost even near their homes.  These PDAs, when programmed with familiar routes, can help your clients get to work, to the grocery store, to other sites and back home again, without getting lost.  Again, you’ll need to do the initial programming of these devices (on your pc or that of your client).

A few companies market PDA software designed specifically for people with cognitive impairment. Let's look at these products now.