1. Funding is provided by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research under the US Department of Education, Grant # H133E040019. University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation R1-R3. Needs, Knowledge, Barriers and Uses of Assistive Technology by Persons with Cognitive Disabilities Purpose/background: This project will: 1) assess the need for technology, current knowledge of available technology, use of technology, and barriers to its use from the perspective of people with cognitive disabilities and from their support persons; and 2) compare specific differences across the three groups (Alzheimer’s disease, Developmental Disabilities, and Traumatic Brain Injury) in needs, knowledge, barriers, and use of technology. Procedures/methods: Individuals with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's, and traumatic brain injury and their caregivers were recruited to complete a web-based survey of needs, knowledge, barriers and uses of assistive technology by persons with cognitive disabilities. They were then routed to one of two surveys (one for caregivers and one for people with disabilities). Recruitment for this survey continues. Anyone interested in completing the survey can access it at http://www.idhd.org/survey/survey.php?sid=62http://www.idhd.org/survey/survey.php?sid=62 Participation in this project will contribute to the identification of uses of technology, needs for technology, and barriers to use of technology for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD), Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or their caregivers. The information obtained during these focus groups and from the surveys may possibly generate the development of more appropriate technologies for individuals with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's, and/or TBI. To ensure that perssons with cognitive disabilities and their support persons use technology, it is necessary to understand not only their needs, but also the barriers that impede their use. Ongoing input from these constituencie is crucial. The R1/R3 project was designed to: 1) assess the need for technology, current knowledge of available technology, use of technology, and barriers to its use from the perspective of people with cognitive disabilities and from their support persons; and 2) compare specific differences across the three groups (Alzheimer’s disease, Developmental Disabilities, and Traumatic Brain Injury). What does the person you support need help with? Participating in the Community (76%) Getting and Sharing Information (71%) Doing Work and School Activities (69%) Keeping Healthy and Safe (66%) Thinking and Remembering How to do Things (63%) Doing Everyday Activities (52%) Why do you think technology would NOT help him/her stay healthy and safe? Technology unavailable (52%) Getting and Sharing Information (71%) Too complicated (39%) Other (39%) Not enough training (12%) Would feel self conscious using it (12%) Too expensive (3%) Principal Investigators: Tamar Heller, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago; Marcia Scherer, PhD, The Institute for Matching Person & Technology, Inc