Enhancing Email Use for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities: Eugene University Research

1. Think-and-LinkEmail for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities Teaching Research – Eugene University of Oregon

2. PURPOSE The Think & Link Project seeks to identify the wide range of user issues critical for long-term, effective use of email by people with cognitive disabilities and translate this information into: 1) a comprehensive computer-use evaluation protocol and 2) a toolkit of email software. We will also evaluate potential cognitive & psychosocial effects of successful email use.

3. 4 RESEARCH STRANDS • Focus Groups • Controlled Lab Studies • Longitudinal Study • Feasibility Study

4. FOCUS GROUPS • We are conducting focus groups throughout Oregon to obtain the perspectives of our target users and their community. • We have conducted 6 groups in Portland, Eugene, and Brookings and have 3 groups scheduled during the next few weeks in Medford, Portland and Bend.

5. The EMAIL User Think & Link Focus Group Observations

6. FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS

7. CURRENT USES OF EMAIL • Speedy communication • Stay in touch with people who might not call, but will e-mail • Keep up with daily events of extended family • Stay in touch with friends who have moved away • Sharing jokes • Broadcast greetings, correspond with those who respond • “Friend group” shares stories, writing, perspectives on BI • Keep a lot of people up to date with what’s happening • Receive support from wide network of friends and family • Discuss daily events • Send pictures • Send info to volunteer group • Communicate with legislators - self advocacy

8. ADVANTAGES OVER PHONE • Faster than mail • More frequent than mail/phone • Don’t need to deal with answering machine • After phone call, can’t remember content of conversation • People can write things they would be uncomfortable saying • Easier to follow written conversation (less time pressure) • Gives time to think about what to say • Can email when they have time; less intrusive • Can be very brief; less time commitment than call or conversation • Less intrusive & distracting than phone • Easier to communicate by email with people you don’t know well, who don’t understand BI

9. DISADVANTAGES OVER PHONE • No voices • Expense • Screen flashing

10. “New Mail” alert Personalized auditory and text prompts On-screen Operating Instructions Interactivity: Pop up a picture of an email buddy and ask the user whether they want to email this person “Mail Sent” alert Split screen for received message and reply Follow-up questions: Do you want to send this message to anyone else? Do you want to print the message you wrote? SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONSProcedural Prompts:

11. Text, voice & graphic prompt to encourage initiating email Icons representing suggested topics Feedback on appropriateness of message Prompt to spell check or spelling dropdown Dictionary Word prediction Program self-starts and alerts user daily at specified time SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONSCompositional Prompts:

12. Enlarged font or magnified screen Screen on adjustable arm Mouse alternatives (single click, joystick, touch-screen) Text/Speech converters Volume control Adjustable key sensitivity SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONSHardware:

13. Photo/name directory Pen-pal list/resource BCC Auto delete after specified time SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONSOrganization:

14. SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONSGeneral: • Use clearly understood icons • Use text, voice, and graphics for alerts • Screen unwanted email • Break up long paragraphs • Modify interface as supports are no longer needed