Simple Technology Suggestions
Photographs, Reminiscing and Life History
Family History/Scrapbooks are available from craft stores. They are useful for reminiscing and encourage communication. Special Order Family Photo Books can be developed on the home computer and ordered online or through specialist photography stores. Captions can be added to photos and the books are then published as a hard cover life history book.
Talking Photo Albums vary in size and cost and are available from photographic specialty stores and a variety of retailers.
Digital Photo-Frames enable family photos, music and commentaries to be downloaded into the frame and run as a slide show. The frames can be placed on dressers, beside tables, or hung on the wall. These frames are useful for linking photographs to people, places and events.
Special Order DVD / Family Slide Shows can be developed on the family home computer, or ordered through photography or specialty stores. The DVDs will run on the computer or TV/DVD. The DVDs can be designed to self start and stop or run on repeat until manually stopped.
‘Easy Cookbooks’ are large format, spiral bound books with step by step recipes. Photographs are in colour and the pages are laminated so they can be wiped clean. The recipes include microwave, vegetarian, soups, main meals, salads and desserts. They are designed to make following a recipe easier and may be useful in assisting someone who previously enjoyed cooking to actively participate independently or with support and set up assistance. Easy Cook Shopping Cards are also available from www.easycookbook.org
Simplified appliances, such as simple use music players, simple remote controls and universal remote controls can also aid independence.