DSPs Using and Supporting Technology Use
Anita Uses Technology at Work to Help Her Learn and Excel at Her Job
Anita and Pam
I started working with Anita by supporting her at work in 2018. Anita was very excited to show me where she works at Taco Bell in Johnson City. When we arrived at Taco Bell, Anita introduced me to her coworkers, and her work family. In my supportive role, I was beside her the whole time she was at work. I had to keep encouraging her to work and reminding her of the work she needed to do. Anita was frequently annoyed by these verbal reminders.
Then, we discovered how to use everyday technology to program the steps Anita needed to follow at work on her iPhone's scheduling app. The work steps were programmed into her iPhone, and she wore headphones to listen to the prompts. Anita preferred listening to her prompts this way rather than a DSP. She was glad she did not have staff walking beside her every step. She enjoyed more independence while listening to the prompts.
Anita was able to complete her job more efficiently, which presented new opportunities and broader job duties like maintaining the bathrooms. I assisted Anita in learning how to change out the paper towels in the bathrooms. Anita was excited to learn how to do that by herself. After about two weeks, she built up her courage and loaded the paper towels using the key by herself. Anita was so proud of her accomplishment. After she learned to change the paper towels, I started showing her how to change out the toilet paper. That took a little more time. Once she felt comfortable, she again wanted to try by herself. She had some issues using the key, but with a little more practice, she changed out the toilet paper rolls in the bathrooms. With practice, Anita was so happy that she could clean the bathrooms and change the paper towels and toilet paper without staff following her around.
As I watched Anita do her job, I noticed that people would stare at her because the headphones she wore to listen to the prompts were big and noticeable. Some customers actually asked me about the headphones she was wearing. They wanted to know what they were for. I explained how her technology works. People were often very surprised there were things available to help her be as independent as possible. But I wondered if there was a set of smaller headphones that wouldn’t draw so much attention, setting Anita apart.
Anita wears hearing aids. When we visited her doctor, I asked if there were Bluetooth hearing aids. The doctor checked, and Anita was approved for them. Anita was very excited when she received her hearing aids and got them connected to her iPhone. When she arrived at work, I helped her put her iPhone on her arm. She went to put on her old headphones, but I explained they weren’t needed anymore. Her hearing aids would now give her the prompts. When she understood, the smile on her face was priceless. Her words were, “Nobody will see!” I said, “You are right. Nobody will stare at you and wonder why you have headphones on, Anita.” Then she said with a smile, “I have a happy day, and thank you, Pam!”
The excitement on Anita’s face said it all. She wanted more independence at work, and technology helped her achieve that. Anita also wears a pendant with a button to get the right amount of support. If she pushes the button, it will call me. Then I can talk with her. If she wants me back at work with her, I can go back to provide support. But now she knows her job so well that she doesn’t always need me there. Her technology helps her get the support she needs, and it helps her to be more independent.
With technology that Anita can use at work, I have worked my way slowly into the shadows. Anita kept looking for me for a while, so I would walk back to her and tell her she was safe and doing great.
With technology that Anita can use at work, I have worked my way slowly into the shadows. Anita kept looking for me for a while, so I would walk back to her and tell her she was safe and doing great. I asked her if she wanted to work by herself. She said, “Yes.” I informed her manager that I was stepping out to give her some independence, and the manager was supportive. Her manager and coworkers often help if she needs anything. The first time I left Anita at work, I sat in the car for an hour and returned to check-in. She was doing her job just as well as if I was still next to her. I asked her manager, and they said she did great. Then, I went out of sight for two hours, and the hours increased each week. Now, with technology to support her at work, Anita is working by herself and living her best life.