Promoting Independence through Assistive Technology: Evaluating Audio Recorders to Support Grocery Shopping

Abstract

In light of a positive research base regarding technology-based self-operating prompting systems (e.g., iPods), yet a concern about the sustainability of such technologies after a research project is completed, this study sought to explore the effectiveness and efficiency of an audio recorder, a low-cost, more commonly accessible technology to support grocery shopping skills in students with moderate intellectual disability. Using a single subject ABAB design with three high school male students with moderate intellectual disability, the researcher explored student use of an audio recorder to identify and locate grocery list items in a grocery store. The results of the project suggest the students were able to use the audio recorders to correctly identify and locate 10-items from a grocery list. In other words, teachers could implement a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-use technology (i.e., audio recorders) and support students in grocery shopping in a more independent fashion than picture symbol lists.