Eye Gaze Technology
Eye gazing assistive technologies are used by individuals with limited to no speech. These tools allow these individuals to use the movement of their eyes to communicate with others. This type of assistive technology is especially prevalent among students with more intense disabilities. This tool can be beneficial to students who are non verbal or have trouble articulating what they are trying to say.
Eyegaze Edge
The Eyegaze Edge system allows people to communicate with others by having them look at a screen with letters (such as a key board) and then it will type what letter they are looking at on the screen. The system does this by analyzing the video image of the eye to determine where the person is looking on the screen. The person can then look at the button ‘speak’ and the words they have created will be read out loud. The Eyegaze Edge is able to synthesize speech, control the environment (lights, call bells, etc.), type, run computer software, operate a computer mouse, and access the Internet and e-mail. The Eyegaze Edge Tablet is a portable device so a person can take it with them if they need to use the system in a different location. It can be used for people with different needs and disabilities such as ALS, brain injury, cerebral palsy, locked-in syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) and spinal injury.
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/5/1/14519672/9997351.jpg?290)
Pros:
- Has a program with common phrases for the individual to communicate quickly
- Has a typewriter program to communicate with written words
- Can run a second computer, uses the Eyegaze Edge as a mouse and keyboard
- Can control lights and appliances in an individual's home
- Can be used as a telephone to communicate with others
- Can be attached to a wheelchair
Cons:
- Not easily portable
- Costs about $8,700
Use in a learning environment:
The sheer adaptability of this device makes it extremely beneficial to a classroom environment. It can be used to communicate between the student and teacher, take notes, and do research on the internet. The Eyegaze Edge would create many opportunities for the student who uses it to be more independent. This would give him or her the opportunity to communicate with their peers when they may not have been able to in the past.
- Has a program with common phrases for the individual to communicate quickly
- Has a typewriter program to communicate with written words
- Can run a second computer, uses the Eyegaze Edge as a mouse and keyboard
- Can control lights and appliances in an individual's home
- Can be used as a telephone to communicate with others
- Can be attached to a wheelchair
Cons:
- Not easily portable
- Costs about $8,700
Use in a learning environment:
The sheer adaptability of this device makes it extremely beneficial to a classroom environment. It can be used to communicate between the student and teacher, take notes, and do research on the internet. The Eyegaze Edge would create many opportunities for the student who uses it to be more independent. This would give him or her the opportunity to communicate with their peers when they may not have been able to in the past.
SpeakBook
The SpeakBook is a low-tech communication device used by individuals with limited speech abilities. Like the EyeGaze Edge, it relies on the movement of the eyes to communicate. Common phrases are written on to colored strips of paper that are placed on the corners of the page. Then, colored dots are placed in between each of the sections of phrases. There is a hole cut in the middle of the notebook so the two people communicating can look at the other persons eyes to communicate. This type of strategy would be most suited to people with very limited motor control, such as people with Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/5/1/14519672/1292019.png?336)
Pros:
- Very cheap to make
- Very easy to use for both the individual with the disability and their communication partner.
- Helps individuals communicate basic needs and wants with limited effort and low frustration levels
- Easily portable
Cons:
- Not as elaborate as other eye gaze technologies, therefore it creates limitations
- Only allows for 16 phrases per page, making it difficult to have an extensive conversation
Use in learning environment:
This technology would be very beneficial for teachers and students who are nonverbal. This technology would give teachers a cheap way to assess the learning of individuals who are nonverbal. This would create a communication device for the teacher and student to use to communicate wants and needs as well. This technology could also be used from student to student. Teachers could come up with key phrases to use for two students to work together and utilize the SpeakBook to communicate to one another.
Video
http://player.vimeo.com/video/25812980?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0"
- Very cheap to make
- Very easy to use for both the individual with the disability and their communication partner.
- Helps individuals communicate basic needs and wants with limited effort and low frustration levels
- Easily portable
Cons:
- Not as elaborate as other eye gaze technologies, therefore it creates limitations
- Only allows for 16 phrases per page, making it difficult to have an extensive conversation
Use in learning environment:
This technology would be very beneficial for teachers and students who are nonverbal. This technology would give teachers a cheap way to assess the learning of individuals who are nonverbal. This would create a communication device for the teacher and student to use to communicate wants and needs as well. This technology could also be used from student to student. Teachers could come up with key phrases to use for two students to work together and utilize the SpeakBook to communicate to one another.
Video
http://player.vimeo.com/video/25812980?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0"