CyberCoach: Keeping People with Memory Disabilities Employed and Independent

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的“网络教练”系统将帮助记忆缺陷的人完成与就业和独立生活有关的任务。CyberCoach将增加最终用户（有记忆缺陷的人），康复专业人员，关心的家人/朋友和雇主之间的沟通量。主要的用户界面是语音，CyberCoach使用合成或录制的语音输出和语音识别进行输入。标准计算机用作基本单元（集线器），并且标准蜂窝电话、图片/文本电话、PDA电话或平板/膝上型计算机可以用作用户的远程单元（终端）。利用这种方法，可以利用各种各样的信息渠道和媒体。CyberCoach作为一个沟通中心，向其他适当的参与者提供或传递信息。当与PDA电话或其他基于计算机的终端一起使用时，CyberCoach不会取代，而是增强已有的认知假肢“提醒”程序。将利用全球定位系统以及一种创新的记忆假体，帮助回忆信息。利用新的语音服务器技术将使其成为一种非常经济的替代方案。在第二阶段，将进一步开发该系统，并对非残疾和记忆残疾的受试者进行用户测试。为了确定其效力，将对由此产生的系统进行更大规模的测试，让目标人口在实际就业和独立生活环境中参与测试。所提出的方法提供了一个令人兴奋的，具有成本效益的，负担得起的新方法，帮助各种残疾用户的记忆/认知缺陷获得/保留有意义的就业和独立生活。此外，通过独立生活和获得有意义的就业，这项技术的用户可能会体验到更好的独立感和自我价值感。此外，用户、用户的家庭和支持政府机构将受益，因为当失业或在更机构化的环境中时支持用户的情感和经济负担减少。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed "CyberCoach" system will help persons with memory deficits perform tasks related to employment and independent living. CyberCoach will increase the amount of communication among the end user (person with a memory deficit), rehabilitation professional(s), concerned family/friends, and employer. The primary user interface is speech, with the CyberCoach using synthesized or recorded speech output and speech recognition for input. A standard computer serves as the base unit (Hub) and standard cell phones, picture/text phones, PDA phones, or Tablet/Laptop computers can serve as the user's remote units (Terminals). Using this approach, a large variety of information channels and media are made available. CyberCoach serves as a communication hub, originating or relaying information to other appropriate participants. When used with a PDA phone or some other computer-based Terminal, CyberCoach will not replace, but rather augment cognitive prosthetic "reminder" programs already available. The global positioning system will be exploited for use as well as an innovative memory prosthetic that provides assistance recalling information. Utilization of new speech server technology will make this a very affordable alternative. In Phase II, the system will be further developed, subjected to user tests with non-disabled and memory-disabled subjects. To determine its efficacy, the resulting system will be subjected to a larger test involving the targeted population in actual employment and independent-living settings. The proposed approach offers an exciting, cost-effective, and affordable new approach for helping a variety of disabled users with memory/cognitive deficiencies obtain/retain meaningful employment and live independently. In addition, by living independently and securing meaningful employment, the users of this technology are likely to experience an improved sense of independence and self-worth. Also, the user, user's family, and supporting government agencies will benefit because of the reduced emotional and financial burden of supporting the user when unemployed or in a more institutional setting.