Johnny needs to get to karate by 5.  Susie has a dance rehearsal at 6.  Then there’s that huge work-related presentation you must prepare for.  How are you going to keep your head above water and everyone on time?

In the past you probably relied on paper and pen or a day timer-style book.  But those aren’t always useful to people who have difficulty organizing their thoughts.  People with dyslexia come to mind.  Dyslexic individuals process information differently than the rest of us.  They often have difficulty with reading, writing, and time management.  Electronic schedulers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) can be a real boon.

On a PDA you can take notes and create schedules.  Because sometimes short term memory is a problem (especially if you forget to look in a notebook), you can set reminder alarms for important events.  If you’re a busy student who has difficulty organizing thoughts in the form of words, there are software packages that give PDAs the ability to create mind maps - pictures - of ideas.  And, of course, you can check your spelling before sending your boss that all-important memorandum.

PDAs Help Those with Social Disabilities
Electronic organizers make creating plans and schedules easier.  But they can also help “organize” social interaction.  When do I smile, laugh, or make eye contact during conversations?  This kind of dilemma often confounds people with cognitive or emotional disabilities.  But if the “unwritten” rules of social interaction are written down in a logical order people with these kinds of difficulties can learn, slowly, to change their behavior.

Voice Activation
If you’ve got or visual or dexterity problems, or just arthritic pain, hunting for and pushing keys can present real challenges.  That’s where voice-activation software comes into play.

In 2002 students from the University of California at Berkley created the Voice Interface PDA as part of their User Interface Design, Prototyping and Evaluation course.  The device was specifically designed for users with visual impairments and offered an alternative to Braille-character keyboards.

Then, in 2003, Microsoft launched its Voice Command software.  The software allows users of Windows Mobile equipped PDAs to control features such as note taking, contact listing, phone calling, and scheduling.  You can even organize and play your music files. All done with simple verbal commands.

Another option is the Voice Mate PDA.  As its name implies this handheld device speaks all menus and control panel options and digits. It’s available in ten languages and has the ability to store phone numbers, addresses and appointments.  Hold it up to a phone and hit a button.  Instantly those beautiful touch tones we are all familiar with are emitted and you’re connected to the person you wish to speak with.  If you wish to know the time, simply ask and the correct hour will be told to you. 

Whether you have difficulty organizing your thoughts, seeing, or moving your fingers, a PDA can be of huge benefit in the difficult task of managing your life.  From taking notes in a class, to balancing the hectic schedules of your kids, a PDA makes tasks look and feel easy.

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