Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!jarthur!usc!apple!olivea!oliveb!bunker!wtm
From: char@b11.ingr.com (Orrin Char)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Communication Aid for impaired persons
Keywords: software hardware communication
Message-ID: <15392@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 5 Nov 90 15:20:50 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: char@b11.ingr.com (Orrin Char)
Distribution: misc
Organization: Intergraph Corp. Huntsville, AL
Lines: 46
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 11490

A couple of engineers and I are working in our spare time
with an ALS patient who suffers from a degradation of her
muscular control.  We are attempting to develop a more 
effective means of communication.

At this point, she is only capable of pushing a single
button to communicate.  Using an off-the-shelf program
on a home computer, she patiently waits for letters of
the alphabet to appear on the screen until she sees the
letter that she would like to type.  By pressing her button,
she selects that letter, and restarts the letter selection
process.

It takes several minutes to type out a short sentence, and
it is very frustrating to correct mistakes since
that all-important button push is fairly strenuous for her.

At this point, she is unable to use her tongue or eyes
for sending information, but she can hear and see
effectively.  While her body is impaired, her mind is
completely healthy.  We have considered using some kind 
of brain wave biofeedback mechanism.

Has anyone worked with or heard of a better means of
communicating for someone with her condition?

Is there software or hardware already available that
we can build on?

We are capable of designing some fairly sophisticated
hardware and software.  Are there any research concepts
that someone might like to work with us to implement?
As I had stated previously, we are working in our
spare time (free labor!).

Thanks in advance for any help,
--
Orrin Char
Senior System Engineer
Intergraph Corp.
email:	...uunet!ingr!b11!orrin!char
phone:  (205)730-6127

Standard Disclaimer:  The opinions stated above are mine ...