HumanTechnology has been an exciting pioneer project in the area of psychiatric disabilities and assitive devices. It was carried out during the period 2001-2004. The purpose of the project was to develop new ways of support to persons with psychiatric disabilities. The objective was, that persons with psychiatric disabilities, with the support of different assitive devices, should be given the possibility to gain power of their own lives by becoming more secure, independent and more active in every day life.

The Swedish Handicap Institute together with the consumer organisations were responsible for the project. The Swedish Inheritance Foundation funded the project.

Co operating parts in Karlstad were the Municipality of Karlstad and the County Council of Värmland.

For more information about psychiatric disabilities go to www.hi.se.

HumanTechnology in Karlstad has an apartment where it is possible to see all products used in the project. We receive study visits and give information about the project in various kinds of meetings and training programmes.

But, the main task of the project, was to test different kinds of assitive devices in every day life for persons with psychiatric disabilities.

The target group of the project consisted of persons with psychosis and/or OCD -Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

There were 12 persons between the age of  21-54 (5 women - 7 men) and they all tested different kinds of assitive devices in their daily life.

Below, some viewpoints from our participants on the products/equipment tested in the project.

Memory Message - helps the user to remember things that are important such as the current date
and time and gives the possibility to record own messages.

“To wake up to. To be able remember my morning routines. To be reminded of what I shall do immediately but also during the day. To plan activities and to be able to take initiative to different activities. In the evening to be reminded go to bed. It works easy and is easy to programme, it really sounds loudly and I make my own messages to encourage and “nag” on myself.”
 

Handhelds Handi- pocket computer with reminder function and calendar, possibility to take notes.

“Daily and weekly planning of activities, small and easy to have in the pocket, easy to programme, reliable, use it as a calendar, calculator, address book, write down my own structure and plans. The easiness to bring it along, to take notes and to plan my week and days is what I use the most and due to that I can be more relaxed because I can separate important things and discover in time when I about to do other things. Before I used to be confused about what day it was and at what time I was supposed to have some activity.”
 

Wrist-watch - with alarm and text messages

“To be able to have my routines work so that I eat when I am supposed to, cleaning up an so on. The watch is easy to carry and it contains so much, it is good that it makes a “bip” and that the text message tells me what to do. I use to call it my “eat and sleep-watch”. The best is that it looks like an ordinary watch.”
 

Time rule - visualizes countdown of time by a column of red lights, which turn off in sequences one by one and gives a signal when time has run out.

“Very useful for me, I use it mostly when I shall watch TV to avoid missing programmes. Makes it easier to start to do things, in the morning when I shall get up, the column of lights have helped me to be more secure of time. Good to use during daily “naps” so that I rest during a limited time. Helps me have control of time while I am using my computer, while I am cleaning up, taking a shower or do my dishes. It makes me feel secure and helps me so that I don’t get exhausted, it is easy to handle and a “good friend.”
 

Shake-Awake - an alarm-clock with audible alarm and bed shaker

“I wake up to the combination a horrible noise and that my bed is vibrating. This is the first and only alarm clock that has helped me to wake up in the morning. It is easy to programme and it looks like an ordinary alarm-clock”.
 

Careousel - automatic computerized pill dispenser with alarm and security lock

"To be reminded when to take medication, and in correct dosage, gives you independence and increased safety."


 

Tactile stimulation Quilt - a special quilt filled with small plastic balls, is calming because of its heaviness and it stimulates the central nervous system and gives the body tactile stimulation.

“A feeling of being secure, it holds me together, nice, very comfortable to wear something so heavy, felt psychiatrically stabile when using it, one feels hugged, warmth and heaviness. I go to sleep faster, sleep deeper and do not wake up during night as often as before, gives a better sleep. Have been able to reduce my medicine and I still sleep very good. Do not eat during night time anymore – sleep instead.”

 

White Board - for notes, easy and good to overview

 “I use it to write the name of the day and date, meetings and the tasks of every day, what I need to shop. It is easy to see what is going on. It helps me a lot when people call – because I can take notes and write immediately on the board. Use it very much to avoid checking the door, I write: checked it once – it is locked! Then I can look at the board if I get insecure and then I’ll be calm when I see that I have checked it. I write amusing things on it as well as Good Night and sweet dreams."
 

Computer and printer - to plan the day through the calendar function, to use the Internet in order to be part of society and look for knowledge, send e-mails, to be part of discussion groups

“To write my diary helps me a lot, gives me insights, I feel that I become educated. My self-confidence grows when I learn new things, my ability to concentrate has improved, feel much better when I am writing. I enjoy having a computer – I write, play games. I can’t describe how much it means to me to have a computer at home. The printer is very important because it visualise what I have written. I feel less lonely when I can send e-mails and have contacts via Internet."
 

Would you like some more information about the project or the products you are welcome to contact us.

For e-mail addresses and telephone numbers please go to "Kontakta oss"