Free Assistive Technology Software for Persons with Motor Disabilities

2014 ◽  
pp. 110-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Pino
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Text Entry ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Disabilities ◽  
Switch Control ◽  
Voice Control ◽  
Control Switch

Free assistive technology software can be an answer to various problems of the market, most importantly the products’ high cost. The focus of this chapter is on open source software and freeware available at online repositories like Raising the Floor, EmpTech, Adaptech, ATHENA, OATSoft, and Project:Possibility. The most important features and suggested information fields for each included application are presented, followed by a comparison of the repositories in the context of these features. Finally, brief descriptions and prominent examples of free AT applications are given in the following categories: augmentative and alternative communication, click helpers, content simplification, eye control, games, head control, joystick control, media players, mouse enhancers, on-screen keyboards, scanning, shortcuts and macros, stylus control, switch control, talking browsers, text entry, text readers, voice control, and word prediction.

Free Assistive Technology Software for Persons with Motor Disabilities

2015 ◽  
pp. 462-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Pino
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Text Entry ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Disabilities ◽  
Switch Control ◽  
Voice Control ◽  
Control Switch

Free assistive technology software can be an answer to various problems of the market, most importantly the products' high cost. The focus of this chapter is on open source software and freeware available at online repositories like Raising the Floor, EmpTech, Adaptech, ATHENA, OATSoft, and Project:Possibility. The most important features and suggested information fields for each included application are presented, followed by a comparison of the repositories in the context of these features. Finally, brief descriptions and prominent examples of free AT applications are given in the following categories: augmentative and alternative communication, click helpers, content simplification, eye control, games, head control, joystick control, media players, mouse enhancers, on-screen keyboards, scanning, shortcuts and macros, stylus control, switch control, talking browsers, text entry, text readers, voice control, and word prediction.

scholarly journals Tracking and Classification of Head Movement for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems

Sensors ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Carlos Wellington P. Gonçalves ◽  
Rogério A. Richa ◽  
Antonio P. L. Bo
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Functional Movement ◽  
Involuntary Movements ◽  
Motor Disabilities

The use of assistive technologies can mitigate or reduce the challenges faced by individuals with motor disabilities to use computer systems. However, those who feature severe involuntary movements often have fewer options at hand. This work describes an application that can recognize the user’s head using a conventional webcam, track its motion, model the desired functional movement, and recognize it to enable the use of a virtual keyboard. The proposed classifier features a flexible structure and may be personalized for different user need. Experimental results obtained with participants with no neurological disorders have shown that classifiers based on Hidden Markov Models provided similar or better performance than a classifier based on position threshold. However, motion segmentation and interpretation modules were sensitive to involuntary movements featured by participants with cerebral palsy that took part in the study.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems for the Motor Disabled

2016 ◽  
pp. 680-727
Author(s):  
Alexandros Pino
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Source Model ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Disabilities ◽  
Symbolic Communication ◽  
Motor Problems ◽  
Software Lifecycle

This chapter discusses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for individuals with motor disabilities. Motor disabilities do not only affect movement, but very often also affect speech. In these cases where voice is very weak, speech is unintelligible, or motor problems in the human speech production systems do not allow a person to speak, AAC is introduced. Aided and unaided communication is explained, and low and high tech AAC examples are illustrated. The ITHACA framework for building AAC applications is used as a paradigm in order to highlight the AAC software lifecycle. The same framework is also used to highlight AAC software design issues concerning component-based development (the open source model and the Design for All principles). Key features of an AAC application like virtual keyboards, scanning techniques, symbol dashboards, symbolic communication systems, message editors, symbol translation, word prediction, text to speech, and remote communication are presented. Finally, practical hints for choosing an AAC system are given and a case study of informally evaluating is cited.

Participação da família na confecção de tecnologia assistiva para pessoas com deficiência (p. 163-178)

1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munique Massaro ◽  
Débora Deliberato
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Rehabilitation Professionals ◽  
The Family ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Technology Professional ◽  
Technology Resources

ResumoConsultoria colaborativa entre os profissionais da reabilitação e as famílias das pessoas com deficiência é essencial para o uso dos recursos de tecnologia assistiva em diversos contextos. Assim, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as etapas de preparação e de desenvolvimento dos recursos de tecnologia assistiva durante as oficinas de orientação sobre o sistema de comunicação alternativa para as famílias das pessoas com deficiência. Participaram deste estudo cinco famílias de adultos com deficiência que usam a comunicação suplementar e alternativa. Durante a coleta de dados, foram utilizados diário de bordo e a tecnologia de vídeo. Os resultados indicaram que a sistematização dos passos para a elaboração e para a adaptação do recurso foi fundamental para a construção de adaptação de materiais. O envolvimento da família na seleção, na adaptação e na utilização de recursos de comunicação suplementar e alternativa favoreceu a compreensão da família sobre a importância da comunicação alternativa.Palavras-chave: Tecnologia assistiva. Relações profissional-família. Linguagem.Family participation in crafting assistive technology resources for people with disabilitiesAbstractCollaborative consultation between rehabilitation professionals with families of disabled people is essential for the use of assistive technology resources in different contexts. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the preparation and development steps of the assistive technology resources during alternative communication system workshops for disabled people’s families. In this study, we selected five families of disabled adults that use augmentative and alternative communication. During the data collection a logbook and video technology were used. The results showed that the systematization of steps to elaborate and adapt the resource was key to construct the adapting of materials. The family involvement in the selection, adaptation and use of augmentative and alternative communication resources favored the understanding of the family on the importance of alternative communication.Keywords: Assistive technology. Professional-family relations. Language.Participación de la familia en la fabricación de tecnología de asistencia para personas con discapacidadResumenConsultoría de colaboración entre los profesionales de la rehabilitación con las familias de las personas con discapacidad es esencial para el uso de los recursos de tecnología de asistencia en diferentes contextos. Por lo tanto, este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las etapas de preparación y desarrollo de los recursos de tecnología de asistencia durante los talleres de orientación sobre el sistema de comunicación alternativa para las familias de personas con discapacidad. En este estudio participaron cinco familias de adultos con discapacidad que utilizan la comunicación aumentativa y alternativa. Durante la recolección de datos se utilizaron bitácora y tecnología de vídeo. Los resultados indicaron que la sistematización de medidas para el desarrollo y la adaptación de la función era esencial para la construcción de materiales de adaptación. La participación familiar en la selección, adaptación y uso de características y alternativas de comunicación adicionales a favor de la comprensión de la familia acerca de la importancia de la comunicación alternativa.Palabras clave: Tecnología de asistencia. Relaciones profesionales en la familia. Lenguaje.

scholarly journals Information Technology Augmentative and Alternative Communication Using Smart Mobile Devices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iurii Krak ◽  
Ruslan Bahrii ◽  
Olexander Barmak
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Motion Tracking ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Human Hand ◽  
Software System ◽  
Text Entry ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Hand Gestures ◽  
Dynamic Gestures

The article describes the information technology of alternative communication implemented by non-contact text entry using a limited number of simple dynamic gestures. Non-contact text entry technologies and motion tracking devices are analysed. A model of the human hand is proposed, which provides information on the position of the hand at each moment in time. Parameters sufficient for recognizing static and dynamic gestures are identified. The process of calculating the features of the various components of the movement that occur when showing dynamic hand gestures is considered. Common methods for selecting letters with non-contact text entry are analysed. To implement the user interaction interface, it is proposed to use a radial virtual keyboard with keys containing alphabetical letters grouped. A functional model and a model of human-computer interaction of non-contact text entry have been developed. It enabled to develop an easy-to-use software system for alternative communication, which is implemented by non-contact text entry using hand gestures. The developed software system provides a communication mechanism for people with disabilities.

Statistical Language Processing for Text Entry

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Ola Kristensson
Keyword(s):  
Information Theory ◽  
Error Correction ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Engineering Science ◽  
Text Entry ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Token Passing ◽  
Language Modelling ◽  
Eye Typing

In this chapter we explain how methods from statistical language processing serve as a foundation for the design of probabilistic text entry methods and error correction methods. We review concepts from information theory and language modelling and explain how to design a statistical decoder for text entry—a generative probabilistic model based on the token-passing paradigm. We then present five example applications of statistical language processing for text entry: correcting typing mistakes, enabling fast typing on a smartwatch, improving prediction in augmentative and alternative communication, enabling dwell-free eye-typing and intelligently supporting error correction of probabilistic text entry. We then discuss the limitations of the models presented in this chapter and highlight the importance of establishing solution principles based on engineering science and empirical research in order to guide the design of probabilistic text entry.

Conducting AAC Assessments With Competence

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Mercurio-Standridge
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Technology Evaluation ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Areas Of Concern

The process for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment is complex and requires participation and input from a variety of stakeholders. This paper addresses this challenge by exploring a framework for assessment through the Dynamic Assistive Technology Evaluation (Texas Assisitve Technology Network, 2013) which guides clinicians in identifying areas of concern, gathering and analyzing relevant assessment information related to those concerns, generating solutions, conducting trials and collecting data on effectiveness of AAC systems, and formulating and documenting results.

Instructional Strategies for People With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

2022 ◽  
pp. 98-113
Author(s):  
Laura Roche ◽  
Jeff Sigafoos
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Systematic Instruction ◽  
Instructional Programs ◽  
Communication Devices

Educating people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD)creates a number of challenges. One general challenge relates to identifying and successfully implementing instructional programs for developing and enhancing the person's adaptive behavior, such as teaching communication and social skills and increasing their overall level of engagement. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of three main instructional approaches that have been applied to enhance engagement and adaptive behavior functioning among people with PIMD. These approaches are (1) intensive interaction, (2) systematic instruction, and (3) assistive technology. Two case studies are included to illustrate the use of assistive technology—specifically augmentative and alternative communication devices and micro-switches—with two adolescents with PIMD. This overview and the case studies suggest that the use of systematic instructional tactics to establish functional use of assistive technology can be an effective instructional approach for people with PIMD.

The use of augmentative and alternative communication in Cyprus: Findings from a preliminary survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliada Pampoulou ◽  
Eleni Theodorou ◽  
Kakia Petinou
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Picture Exchange Communication System ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Alternative Communication

Whilst augmentative and alternative communication has been used for over sixty years across many countries, in Cyprus it remains underdeveloped. The current study seeks to investigate the current AAC practices in Cyprus. Data were collected through electronically distributed questionnaires to all registered speech and language therapists ( n = 330), contacted by the Cyprus Speech Therapy Association. The questionnaire comprised 12 questions, which were categorized into three sections: background information (educational level and clinical experience), training undergone (during or after completion of tertiary education) and participants’ AAC practices (caseload, assessment and intervention). The findings from the analysis of the returned data ( n = 59) reveal that training provision on augmentative and alternative communication has positively influenced practice. Most of the participants received training in the specific field during their bachelor’s degree, rather than during later education. Life-long training on different language systems (including different assistive technology tools, such as symbols and talking products as well as methods such as the Picture Exchange Communication System) also played a pivotal role in their work. Regarding the assessment process, the findings show that whilst there are a number of standardized language assessment tools, the participants relied heavily on non-standardized tools and/or their clinical judgment. Regarding intervention, they reported using different language systems and a variety of Assistive Technology equipment. Several recommendations are made aimed at raising the profile of AAC services in Cyprus, especially with regards to training and assessment, as the findings show that these areas have not been addressed systemically thus far.

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