Organization

• Reduce distractions by: using sound absorption panels and other noise masking products
• Add cubicle walls and doors to work area to reduce visual/audible distractions
• Move to a private office or area with less distractions
• Use watches and timers with prompts
• Allowing employee to use headset to listen to music
• Giving directions verbally
• Providing index cards with clearly-explained directions
• Reviewing information with the employee
• Providing retraining as needed
• Breaking information into smaller segments- task restructure
• Re-writing information so it is easier to understand
• Checklists for the day and week to help stay on top of projects and due dates
• Make a visual or pictorial schedule to show the sequence of events in the day
• Require essential functions of the job and remove or modify less important functions

Assistive technology for Organization is listed below. Links go directly to the manufacturer's or developer's website where you can further research, or purchase, the AT:

• Providing training materials in audio tape or print copy
• Allowing the employee to record instructions with a hand-held recorder or phone app
• Environmental sound machine to lessen distractions
• Use time-oriented alert systems triggered by timers, watches, or cell phones to remind people to perform a specific task at the right time
• Reminder Rosie Clock with Voice
• Use digital highlighters and sticky-notes on digital texts to mark important information
• Website for project management and due dates such as “Basecamp”
• Online planning tools such as Google Calendar can be used to map out and track progress on assignments and projects
• Visual schedules and Time Timers work well for individuals with visual preferences
• Print schedules and alarm sound features may work better for those who preferred auditory feedback
• Vibrating watch

App Ideas

• First Then Visual Schedule - AppUseful for those who benefit from a structured environment and a structured environment; increases independence and lowers anxiety.
• Clear-Tasks, Reminders, & To Do Lists
• Time Timer 
• Any Do(syncs across several devices) AudioNote app
• AudioNote app

Case Study #1:


A clerical worker with auditory processing disorder

A clerical worker with auditory processing disorder worked for a large employer where different work assignments were handed out daily. To ensure the job assignment was accurate, the employee used a voice recorder to capture information about the work assignment, such as the job location, the supervisor’s name, and tasks to be completed. To refresh his memory, the employee was able to listen to this recorded information whenever necessary, sometimes several times each day.

Possible Recommendations:

There are a variety of voice recording technologies such as small, hand-held recorders that can be purchased at common stores. The employer could purchase a smart phone for the employee who could use “audio note” to record. Smart phones provide a microphone symbol to use your voice to text a message or take notes.  The supervisor may also user a voice recorder to save verbal instructions and leave at the employee’s desk each day. iPads can also be used with apps such as Voice Dream Reader, Dragon Dictate, and Noteability which allows a document to display along with recorded message such as powerpoint or guidebook.

Goals and Outcomes:

The employee and employer’s goals were to find easy to use accommodations that would help the employee remember instructions about each project.  The employer valued the employee because he was reliable and an asset to the company.

See the attached HAAT Model form to see how to match the employee to needed AT.

Case Study Forms – HATT Model

Case Study #1 (Worker with Auditory Processing Disorder) | PDF | Word



Sample solutions:

iPad	Notability App

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Case Study #2:


An employee who works in manufacturing and has a learning disability

The employee had difficulty remembering task sequences of the job. The supervisor provided written instructions, whereby each major task was broken down into smaller, sequential sub-parts. Each subpart was color-coded for easy reference (green means start, red means stop).

Possible Recommendations:

The employee and supervisor could implement more color coding by projects such as yellow, purple, etc. would prioritize the projects for the day or week.  The employee could also try using a smart phone supplied by the company to save the written and verbal instructions in an app. Daily reminders at various times of each work day could easily be entered in the phone’s calendar.

Goals and Outcomes:

The employee and employer’s goals were to determine the necessary parts of the employee’s job and focus on written instructions for each daily task.  As the employee became more experienced and needs less written instructions, the employer’s hope was to give one or two new projects to the employee with the same accommodations. This would allow the company to train and keep an experienced worker.

See the attached HAAT Model form to see how to match the employee to needed AT.

Case Study Forms – HATT Model

Case Study #2 (Employee in manufacturing with learning disability) | PDF | Word



Sample solutions:

Noteability App	iPad	Voice Dream Reader App

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Case Study #3:


An employee with executive function disorder

An employee with executive function disorder was promoted to sales manager in a busy electronics store.  The new job functions included managing multiple employees, writing training procedures, conducting employee hiring and performance reviews, and leading inventory checks each month.  The employee discussed the new job functions with his supervisor and discussed some strategies the employee had used in school and college to help him succeed in those areas of weakness.

Possible Recommendations:

The supervisor suggested that the employee attend the company’s time management workshops for new managers. The supervisor agreed to send emails with numbered task lists or general pieces of information the employee needed to know. Due dates were assigned either by the supervisor or by the employee. The employee decided to use a subscription online project management tool so that all employees can log into to see new assignments and due dates. The employee will send a weekly priority list to the supervisor each Monday morning as well as prepare a weekly priority list for all staff he supervises. After a while on the job, he may wish to have the employees create their own priority lists and send to him to check. This would save him the time of developing it weekly and give them the opportunity to manage projects and grow in their knowledge. The employee will use a few smart phone apps to organize loose ends including personal responsibilities such as paying bills.

Goals and Outcomes:

Because the employee and supervisor came up with a game plan to proactively address his executive functioning weaknesses, he was able to address many of the problems before they occurred.

See the attached HAAT Model form to see how to match the employee to needed AT.

Case Study Forms – HATT Model

Case Study #2 (Employee with executive function disorder) | PDF | Word



Sample solutions:

Watchminder	Mint (by Intuit) Money Manager