I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine we are enjoying this weekend (before the rain descends upon us starting tomorrow). Over the last couple days- in between sitting outside soaking up these rays- I've been exploring the array of AACs and Specialized Equipment listed on the EDPD 584 website. Overall, I am completely amazed by the technological options available to learners with various impairments! It is almost futuristic/sci-fi to me to think that one can access all options on their desktop using only their eyes, but I am so happy to see that the ability to communicate, complete schoolwork, and simple daily tasks are being made more and more accessible to anyone.
Here are a couple highlights I took away from exploring these tools:
Radio Aids for Hearing Technology: To see how well these hearing-impaired students are able to integrate into mainstream school is fantastic. I went to school with a classmate named Kate who was almost completely deaf, and during class she would have to get the teacher to put on a headset and fiddle around with the sound/frequency before beginning the lesson. I'm so happy to see that just over a decade later, technology has been modified and refined to make the process even smoother and seamless. Not only that, but the ability to connect to a mobile phone via Bluetooth makes for even more accessibility in terms of day-to-day communication. Cell phones were just hitting the scene at that time so this wouldn't have been an option yet, but if it HAD been- I'm sure Kate would have appreciated it! :)
Lingering Questions...
- One thing I still don't fully understand is how eye-tracking software actually ensures that it picks up the letter/word/image that you are meaning to focus on. When I think about my own computer habits, I feel like I am constantly scanning all around my screen at any given time. If the tracker is following the user's cornea to find out what button they want to select, how does it do that if the user is looking at several buttons? Do you have to focus on a button for at least 2 seconds to let the software know to implement it? I'm going to keep poking around online to see if I can figure out the exact technological nitty gritty for how that part works-- but regardless it's still an impressive function.
- My other question about all of these impressive tools is how financially accessible they are to school districts- and how prevalent they are in BC schools. I have seen iPad functions similar to Boardmaker being used with students on the autism spectrum (that are nonverbal), and it definitely helps with allowing them to communicate their needs through picture symbols and text-to-speech functions. However, besides that I haven't seen anything like Tobii PCEye or Intellikeys.
Feel free to give me any feedback about your own experiences below!
Your observations about the power of digital technology to facilitate independence and enhance quality of life are thoughtful and insightful. I love modern digital technology for the many ways it can make possible what would otherwise be impossible to imagine!
ReplyDeleteYour questions are good ones. Eye-gaze technology relies on cameras that track the eye movement of the user. There are two ways that the user can select an object on the screen. The most common way is to keep the gaze focused on a particular place on the screen for a specified length of time, eg. .5 second. This is referred to as the "dwell time". If the user has good control of his or her eye blink muscles, blinking can also be used. Either way, requires intense concentration. I have tried eye-gaze on several occasions, and it is extremely tiring.
Although costs are gradually coming down, eye-gaze technology is indeed expensive. Effective use also requires an incredible investment in learning and patient practice, especially because those who need it most often struggle even with the muscle control needed just to keep their heads relatively still. It is not yet widely used, but use is gradually increasing in BC schools. When needed, costs are covered by SET-BC. I have had the privilege of helping to support four users in two Vancouver Island school districts.