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A Few Stories
It is certainly better to let the people we have helped speak for themselves. In our many years of computer assessment we have witnessed hundreds of severely disabled people, both young and old get computer access. We cannot share all these stories but we can share a few of them in the hope that it will encourage others.
We will also provide some practical help in the hope that anyone interested in helping disabled people get computer access will avoid many of the pitfalls we have run into over the past years.
We will also provide some practical help in the hope that anyone interested in helping disabled people get computer access will avoid many of the pitfalls we have run into over the past years.
SPINAL CORD INJURy users
People with Spinal Cord Injuries form a major part of our case work. Traffic accidents, construction site and diving accidents seem to be the major reasons for people obtaining spinal injuries here in Taiwan. However this group of people, who can be very limited in movement, do have stable and predictable movement and are therefore relatively easy to get fixed up with computer interfaces. We rarely find anyone with Spinal Cord Injuries, no matter how severe, who cannot find some kind of good computer interface.
Movement Strength: Medium
Movement Stability: High
Movement Range: Low
We advise looking separately at cursor and mouse key control and if possible consider using more than one movement for control For example Head control for the cursor and perhaps hand control for the mouse keys.
Movement Strength: Medium
Movement Stability: High
Movement Range: Low
We advise looking separately at cursor and mouse key control and if possible consider using more than one movement for control For example Head control for the cursor and perhaps hand control for the mouse keys.
Cerebral palsy users
This is probably our most difficult area of assessment as users in this category usually have very unstable movement which presents our greatest challenge.
Movement Strength: High
Movement Stability: Low
Movement Range: High
As Cerebral Palsy Users often have learning difficulties we advise against going to fast with computer access. While your objective might be computer access we strongly recommend starting first with switches and adapted toys, ensuring that the clients has fully understood Cause and Effect. From there you could move onto a single switch connected to a computer to control some Single Switch Software.
Movement Strength: High
Movement Stability: Low
Movement Range: High
As Cerebral Palsy Users often have learning difficulties we advise against going to fast with computer access. While your objective might be computer access we strongly recommend starting first with switches and adapted toys, ensuring that the clients has fully understood Cause and Effect. From there you could move onto a single switch connected to a computer to control some Single Switch Software.
MD Users
Users with MD, although sometimes having limited movement and very little muscle strength can usually be provided with some means of computer access. The reason is due to the movement stability. However the issue of endurance must be seriously considered as the device you recommend during the assessment procedure may not be suitable after a period of use due to user fatigue.
Movement Strength: Low
Movement Stability: High
Movement Range: Low
Movement Strength: Low
Movement Stability: High
Movement Range: Low
ALS/MND Users
Those with ALS/MND in many ways have similar requirements to those with MD, suffering from a very limited movement and very limited muscle strength. However those with ALS/MND will usually have continuing assessment requirements as their movements decrease with time. In the latter stages of the disease it is usually necessary to resort to eye control for computer access, but before that point is reached much can be done with other low cost devices.
Movement Strength: Low
Movement Stability: High
Movement Range: Low
As those with ALS/MND will possibly be confined to bed and possibly even depending upon a respirator, it is extremely important to take into account the mounting difficulties of any suggested devices. I
Movement Strength: Low
Movement Stability: High
Movement Range: Low
As those with ALS/MND will possibly be confined to bed and possibly even depending upon a respirator, it is extremely important to take into account the mounting difficulties of any suggested devices. I
