The Independo calendar app: A mom tells her story
Julia Kruselburger
In the world of technology, there are numerous apps designed to make our lives easier. But which of them are really designed to support people with cognitive disabilities? We spoke to Gundula Schachtner, the mother of Abby Schachtner, a 15-year-old teenager with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. Gundula Schachtner, herself an AAC specialist, shares her experiences with the Independo app and how it makes everyday life easier for her family.
"How does the Independo app differ from other available tools?" we ask Gundula. "The Independo app works with pictograms, with Metacom symbols," she explains. "This is particularly useful for people who can't read or write but still want to organize their daily lives themselves. Independo is therefore not just a calendar app, but a learning tool."
"It's easier for her to get through the day than if she didn't have the calendar."
In our conversation, we also talked about the specific relief that the Independo app offers Gundula and her family. "The Independo app makes everyday life with my daughter easier because she can see in advance what's happening today or what's coming up tomorrow," she explains. "It's easier for her to get through the day than if she didn't have the calendar." "She can also tell me in advance what she wants to do tomorrow, whether she wants to go to a show, visit grandma and grandpa or whether she wants to go to school."
Everyone has their own personal favorite feature
Of course, we were also curious about Abby and Gundula's favorite features and asked them directly "My favorite feature is the photo function, which allows you to add photos directly to appointments," says Gundula. "This makes it easier to visualize the experience. At the same time, it's also possible to tell what happened, whether you enjoyed it or whether it wasn't so great."
Thank you so much, dear Gundula, for taking the time to talk to us about the Independo app and your experiences!
Julia Kruselburger
