I-Prompt

i-Prompt is an app I picked up from the ASD iPod Touch Project Apps (.pdf) and have tested it out.  It is a free app developed by iPrompter, a company that produces professional teleprompt devices. 

Since the software is originally for teleprompting, this is an example of technology created for one purpose being used in a similar way as assistive technology.

i-Prompt works for both iPad and iPod Touch.  I think that it can be used both by parents, teachers and caregivers to prompt those developing independence with the next steps of a task as well as by more independent individuals to remember steps in a task.  This means that it can be useful for people who have a hard time remembering instructions, and to overcome stressful and confusing situations when something unexpected happens. 

To test it out, I wrote my own prompt script, and tried out some of the features.  It can be set up to scroll through the script at a set pace, but can be paused and manually scrolled through via touch screen.  The font can also be adjusted to different sizes, font type, and the colours.  I found it very easy to use.  The only downside that I can find is that it's text-based and so requires the ability to read and follow written instructions.  Which means that it's a good in-step tool for independence, but is not appropriate for those who need images. 

FastMall App

I've been meaning to review this for a while, but it's taken me some time because I wanted to test it out in different cities and locations. FastMall is a free interactive navigation app, designed to be used by parents with strollers, people with wheelchairs or other physical disabilities, or anyone who's in a new mall and is feeling lost.


I actually talked to the creator of the app, Sam Feuer, who first thought of the app when in a strange mall and his wife desperately needed to find a washroom. Realizing that others could benefit from it, Feuer proceeded to develop this very nifty app.

After testing it out, I think that FastMall has great potential for Autistic adults by giving them a very reliable map with turn-by-turn instructions on how to get places.  After downloading a mall's map, I used the instructions to navigate the mall very well and was very impressed by how detailed the instructions and reference landmarks it gave. 

I did have some problems, mainly with learning how to operate the app, and then with finding maps in its database.  Both of these problems can be overcome with time, I think, by becoming familiar with the app, and by increasing the locations in the database. 

Overall, I'm very positive about this app, as it is seeking to expand not only for malls, but other locations such as hospitals, airports, convention centers and theme parks.  With a well-established database, I think that FastMall is very handy for adults to be more confident going to new locations, or assisting in familiar locations where sudden stress has caused a loss of navigational skills, or even just has forgotten the layout of places. 

I'm looking forward to FastMall's expansions.