Technology Tuesday - Chris's Corner

This week’s edition of “Technology Tuesday” brings the debut of “Chris’s Corner.” Imagine!’s Assistive Technology Specialist Chris Baumgart will use this space to discuss various goings on in the world of assistive tech at Imagine!, and offer follow up information as projects move forward. Today Chris discusses how Imagine! is exploring technology as a way to allow individuals with cognitive disabilities work toward increased self-sufficiency in the community by better understanding the concept of money.

Chris’s Corner

"No One But Chris puts Chris in the Corner"

 

 

The Manhattan Project Part 1: The Vision

Welcome to the Manhattan In-Home Kitchen Marketplace!

Teaching the economic values of tangible items, relationships between currency denominations, and furthering meal preparation independence since 2013!

One of the challenges we find our clients are looking to overcome as they work toward increased self-sufficiency in the community is the concept of money. At home, our residents also find that meal preparation relies heavily on staff assistance. The Manhattan In-Home Kitchen Marketplace Project is designed to provide tools to achieve progress toward meeting both challenges.

To start the project, we sat down with the residents and staff at Imagine!’s Manhattan Group Home to determine what the clients would like to learn to help them cook more independently. In addition, using the SmartSupports Functional Knowledge Inventory Tool, we were able to establish each client’s existing skill base when it comes to number familiarity, time familiarity, mathematical computation, and currency familiarity. We found that each individual’s skill base differed a great deal (no surprise there), but one thing everyone had in common was this: each person was able to successfully identify common currency denominations. However, each person also expressed the desire to learn more about how the denominations related to one another. In addition, a common question was raised, “What does $5.00 buy?”

Now that we’ve established a baseline point of reference, as well as determining goals for moving forward, we’re we’ve taken the first steps in the project. To date, using the AbleLink Technologies Visual Impact app, we have developed a basic review tool that teaches basic currency denomination relationships, i.e., one dime is the equivalent of ten pennies, one dollar is equivalent to four quarters, etc.

 

At the same time, we are developing a virtual marketplace to incorporate what the clients are learning about currency, and will be using meal preparation as the foundation of which items they need purchase in the virtual store.

This project is in the early stages, but we are excited to see where it will lead us.

Next up on deck:

• We will continue the development of the Manhattan In-Home Kitchen Marketplace by adding inventory, prices, and an iPad tool to assist with virtual purchases.
• We will be building iPad Tasks to teach the preparation of recipes of three different skill levels.
• We will be integrating the Virtual Store purchasing process into each recipe.
• We will be developing a scheduling tool so that each individual has equal opportunities for learning and participation.

Tune in next month to see our progress!