Page 220 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

208 HANDBOOK OF ELECTRONIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

FIGURE 7-7 Martin using a micro light switch on a custom-made wedge to suit his hand position�

Although Martin was very pro-Mac, he was offered a trial of a Windows-based eye-
gaze system for communication following an assessment. There are currently no available
options for using eye gaze with Apple Mac systems. A trial of an eye-gaze-based system
was undertaken for 2 weeks, with a dwell select time set at 1.3 s. On review of this, Martin
reported that he was getting on very well with the eye-gaze system and was keen to move
forward with expanding its use into Windows control, email, instant messaging and web
browsing.
Martin had independently explored other functions on it, using the ‘message’ function
to store phrases to instruct his smart home control device to perform several functions. He
had also reduced the dwell select time to 0.7 s by the review visit.

Outcome
Although initially reluctant, Martin has embraced the Windows eye-gaze device to allow him
to communicate more quickly and effectively with his wife, family and friends in a range of
locations. He is able to type (using a mix of prediction and normal spelling) around 13 wpm.
The AAC device was mounted on his wheelchair to ensure a consistent position for the
eye gaze to work, as well as providing portability (Fig. 7-8). A separate floor stand was set
up to enable use when Martin is in bed.
Martin has been able to set up the device to allow him to access the sound files he recorded
previously on his Mac. Because he has a background in computing, he has adapted several
grid sets himself to allow him to continue to do his programming and coding through a
Chrome remote desktop to access his Mac. He has also added software to allow him to con-
trol his projector, Firestick, DVD player, Apple TV, iPod speaker, fan and blinds.
He has also set up using the Windows control software a bespoke keyboard and a grid
to enable him to use Spotify.