Severely disabled people will often spend a significant part of their waking day using gaze control. Technology has a positive impact on many areas of their life. What simple features do people who have severe and complex disabilities need to use gaze control technology? In this chapter, we consider features that are enhancing the effective use of this innovative and rapidly growing method of computer control. It also provides practical hints in finding and choosing the best gaze control system for each individual.
TopChoosing The Best System For Each Individual
The first question to ask is: “which gaze control system is best for me?” In surmising this question, three simple principles are captured by The KEE concept by Donegan and Oosthuizen (2006a). These are as follows:
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Knowledge-based: founded on what is known of the user’s physical and cognitive abilities;
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End-user focused: designed to meet the end-users’ interests and needs;
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Evolutionary: ready to change in relation to the end-users response to gaze control technology and software provided.
This concept provides a framework for finding the system that best meets the needs of each individual
Throughout the COGAIN user trials, the prime concern regarding the motor and cognitive skills of users was the demands of involuntary movement. To refer to how and why systems are able to tolerate involuntary movement, please see section 6 of this book. Devices differ in the degree of involuntary movement they do comfortably tolerate. It seems obvious to say that the physical ability of the individual determines how important this is and to what degree. So this feature shall be introduced through a sample of typical gaze control users. The four brief paragraphs that follow present examples of people who have Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Cerebral Palsy (CP), a Spinal Cord Injury and Locked-In Syndrome.
Describing the ways in which gaze control is of real benefit, encounter Jack Orchard, who appears in a video on the LC Technologies (2011) website. In a news item aired on KSDK-TV Jack says “there is so much left to do, so for now, back to work.” Jack experiences Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), one form of MND. Like anyone else, fulfilling purposeful roles is his “lifeline” (see, LC Technologies, 2011). Evidently, gaze control gives him the means to socially communicate; be creative; and regain independence. Jack is excellent at using his gaze control system and has, in fact, written an entire book with it (Quintero, 2009). Tolerating involuntary movement isn't essential. What is essential, however, is reliability; as Jack's girlfriend says, “as soon as he gets up and is ready he is at his computer”. For people whose health is deteriorating, timely and flexible assistance is envisaged, since the software settings and user interface will need to evolve over time
For more information about MND, please see the websites of the MND Association (www.nhs.uk). The training section of the COGAIN wiki (2011) has online videos related to ALS communication.