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From: kenc@islenet.UUCP (Ken Cribbs)
Newsgroups: net.med,net.micro
Subject: hardware/software/peripherals for quadriplegics
Message-ID: <2816@islenet.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Sep-86 05:48:31 EDT
Article-I.D.: islenet.2816
Posted: Tue Sep 23 05:48:31 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 25-Sep-86 07:54:11 EDT
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Organization: Islenet Inc.,  Honolulu
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Xref: mnetor net.med:3430 net.micro:6124


I'm posting this on behalf of a quadriplegic friend who wants to
purchase a microcomputer-based system to help him control his
environment.  He has some use of his mouth, tongue and jaw (i.e.,
given the right kind of switches he could probably actuate a
"keyboard" or other input peripheral that doesn't require use
of hands or fingers).  The ideal system would give him control
of room lighting, temperature, appliances (TV, radio, audio), 
door locks and security system, etc., as well as provide telephone
dialing and answering.  Of course, it should also be able to run
the usual word processing, accounting, database management and
other standard software -- but preferably with capability to use
short-form abbreviated-keystroke entries.  A particularly good
capability would be easy transferability of the control peripher-
als from bed to wheelchair.

A few systems are available which provide voice-actuated telephone
dialing and simple remote control of appliances, but he has yet
to find an integrated system which goes beyond these basics.  If
anyone has any suggestions or can steer me in the direction of
a good resource for this type of equipment, my friend and I would
greatly appreciate the help.

-- Ken Cribbs
   {ihnp4,dual,vortex}islenet!kenc

   1903 Harbor Square
   700 Richards Street
   Honolulu, Hawaii  96813-4630

   (808) 538-0388, 524-1433

   MCI:  kcribbs / 223-6667