Clemson students make apps to help people with intellectual disabilities

Students and faculty at Clemson University have developed two smartphone apps to provide practical, real-world assistance to help people with intellectual disabilities maintain employment and live independently.

Roy Pargas, associate professor emeritus in the School of Computing, led the technical aspects of the project devoted to producing the apps. He said the apps require parent or guardian support, at least initially, to input information regarding specific tasks or create meal sizes and preferences for each individual.

The ClemsonLIFE Task Analysis app aids individuals in the completion of everyday tasks for home and work, while the ClemsonLIFE Meal Planner app helps users develop a weekly meal plan, manage inventory in a pantry and populate a grocery list that ensures they buy required food items each week.

The apps were made available through the Apple iTunes store on July 15 and will be announced publicly by Joe Ryan at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in Sacramento, California from July 21 to July 23.

Zachary Buchanan is a student beginning his fourth year in the ClemsonLIFE program. Zachary’s younger brother, Sam Buchanan, said: “I think it’s brilliant to only show Zach what is useful for him based on where he physically is, and the fact that the app will allow us to give him specific instruction on how to handle meals with multiple pots and pans will also have him eating healthier.”