Basic Usage of Agenda AAC
Basic Usage of Agenda AAC
Alexandros

Written by Alexandros SIDIRAS GALANTE on Thursday 16 May 2024

Estimated Reading Time ~ 9 minutes

Introduction

What is Agenda CAA?

Agenda CAA is a calendar app for people with mental disabilities or neurodevelopmental disorders that make them more anxious and less independent throughout the day. For example, autism, ASD, DYS, Down syndrome.

We were inspired by the paper version of the weekly planner we had on our fridge, as well as more classic calendar apps.

Agenda CAA provides voice feedback for events using a synthesized voice and offers a pictogram search engine from ARASAAC, Sclera, Mulberry, and others. Importing images from your photo library is also possible. Agenda CAA has a notification system to help promote independence.

Installation

The app is available on Android and iOS. You can also access the app directly in your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) at this address: https://agenda.pictalk.org/

No need to create an account to start using Agenda. Once the app is installed, it works offline to view events.

How to use it?

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First use

When you first use the app, you will be greeted by a popup and default events.

The agenda's background color depends on the day of the week. For example, Monday is red. You must create a free Pictalk account to be able to create your own color theme.

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Understanding the menu

The top bar looks like this.

Top Bar

Material Symbols Light Menu Opens the app settings
Material Symbols Calendar View Day Outline Rounded Changes the agenda layout (vertical/horizontal day, vertical/horizontal week)
Top Bar Copy Allows you to quickly navigate to another date

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Material Symbols Arrow Back iOS New Go to the previous day
Material Symbols Arrow Forward iOS Rounded Go to the next day
Material Symbols Event Go to the current day
Material Symbols Add2 Create an event

Creating an event

Creating an event is a crucial part of using Agenda. It is essential to master.

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Here are the main properties:

  1. Event title (visible from the agenda view)
  2. Pictograms or images (Plus or Pro account required for images)
  3. Description
  4. Start date and end date
  5. Repetition / Routine (Plus or Pro account required)
  6. Alarms (Plus or Pro account required)
  7. Calendar choice
  8. Sequences attached to the event (Plus or Pro account required)
  9. Event address (optional) (Plus or Pro account required)

The event "Take the bus home" is visible in the afternoon time slot. If we click on it, we can see it in more detail. A "Read aloud" button allows the entire event to be read. It is possible to click on the sequence thumbnails to play them.

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Settings

Agenda CAA is customizable to suit a wide range of disabilities. 

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  1. Adjustable interface size (Normal, Large, XL)
  2. Agenda colors (default, protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia)
  3. Vertical and horizontal display for day and week.
  4. Voice settings (voice, speed, tone)

Plus and Pro Features:

Operator mode

Operator mode protects events, sequences, and settings from unintentional changes or deletions. When operator mode is deactivated, it is impossible to delete an event, remove a sequence, or change settings. To support self-determination, creating an event is still possible. However, the event's status is set to "Pending" to indicate it still needs confirmation by the operator.

Sequence creation

You can create an unlimited number of sequences and steps and link them to events.

Multi-calendar and sharing

With a Plus subscription, you can have up to two calendars. One for home and family activities, and a second to be shared with school or care professionals. This way, there’s no need to share your password, and privacy is not an issue! Professionals will only have access to the school calendar.

With a Pro subscription, you can have a minimum of six calendars. Each calendar can be shared with up to 50 people. This is ideal for having a shared calendar among each school group. For example, Cécile, the special education teacher of the "Ouistitis" group, can create a common calendar for all her students.

Printing (coming soon)

Printing an event, week, or month will be possible.

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