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Can Assistive Technologies go hand in hand
with Mainstream Technologies?
“How they complemente each other and how they
must work together”
Assistive Technology (AT):
“Technology is to be used in the Context of the whole life of a Person with a disability, to function as a part of an individual's total system for support, and not just in one role, setting, or functional application”
(Enders, 1999)
“AT is an umbrella term for any device or system that allows an individual to perform a task that he would otherwise be unable to do or increases the ease and safety with which the task can be performed ”.
(Cowan & Turner-Smith, 1998)
COMMUNICATION is a Basic Human Right!
(United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
The “Power to Have a Voice”
Assistive Technology (AT) for Augmentative and
Alternative Communication (AAC) to support
persons with Complex Communication Needs (CCN)
•Communication today is not just about talking, listening, reading and writing, but also emailing, texting, twittering, blogging, instant messaging and more. •Individuals with Complex Communication Needs today want and need not only to communicate face-to-face, as well as across distances. They also need to access mainstream technologies so they can pursue an education, mainstream employment engage in recreational activities, access media, develop relationships, explore personal interests and participate in social networks.
(Blackstone, S., ACN Vol 21, Number 3, Oct. 2009)
ICT Mainstream Industry
Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) and AAC
Developments in mainstream technologies and the impact in Speech Generating Devices for AAC:
• Synthesized speech
• Tablet PCs with appropriate hardware (interfaces) and software
• Portable Devices (e.g. mobile phones)
Speech synthesis: • Mainstream companies producing speech synthesis used in AAC devices, e.g., Acapela offer 25 languages with 50 voices and Loquendo offer 17 languages with 70 voices. • More personalized, more intelligible and more natural sounding of synthesized speech voices offered in AAC technologies. • Embedded or external speaker systems profoundly influence the quality of speech output, enabling effective communication to occur in noisier situations
(Blackstone, S., ACN Vol 21, Number 3, Oct. 2009)
Tablet PC with Software:
SICAM ™ from ANDITEC with GRID 2™ from Sensory Software
Portable devices (e.g. mobile phones)
“iPadism”
Mainstream Technologies /Assistive Technologies for AAC: New Challenges, New Oportunities
• Eye Gaze / Eye Tracking systems
• Bio Sensors
• Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs)
Eye Gaze / Eye Tracking Technologies Examples of mainstream applications:
• Marketing analysis • Computer interfaces in medical settings • Inputs for games • Behavior analysis • Security • Vision and neurological evaluation • Defense applications
“Eye Gaze / Eye Tracking Systems”
Eye Gaze / Eye Tracking Technologies and Mainstream Applications
Market Studies with Tobii T60 & T120 Eye Tracker
Research in Developmental Psychology
• Neurological Progressive Diseases (e.g., ALS) • Traumatic Brain Injury • Muscular Dystrophy • Locked-in Syndrome • Cerebral Palsy • ……….
Eye Gaze / Eye Tracking Technologies and AAC:
MyTobii P10 Eye Tracker
Tobii C12 with CEye with eye control module
Eye Gaze / Eye Tracking Technologies and AAC:
Tobii PCEye Mini
Eye Gaze / Eye Tracking Technologies and AAC:
• Eyetracking integrated communication system:
– Face to face communication
– Phone/texting
– Internet access
– Customizable
– Portable
Questions that must considered in eye gaze/eye tracking technology:
• How does the use of an eye gaze interface affect face-to-face communication? • How can communication software be optimized access to language for people who use eye gaze/eye tracking as an input method • What do usability studies tell us about various eye gaze products by diagnosis? Age? Function? • Can eye gaze/eye tracking technologies contribute to multimodal access systems and their effective use? How? • Do eye gaze/eye tracking methods reduce user fatigue and/or repetitive stress injuries over time?
(Blackstone, S., ACN Vol 21, Number 3, Oct. 2009)
Bio Sensors
Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI)s
Can assistive technology go hand in hand
with mainstream technologies?
YES but……
• European Legislation • Stronger AT European Industry • More Involvement of Users • Information /Training in AT
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