Page 302 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Chapter 10 • Assistive Technology Integration and Accessibility 291

smartphone – which would you choose to use? One of these has implicitly more integra-
tion potential, but why?
Most individuals have the luxury of being able to use both multiple controls and also
devices with highly complex interfaces, both physically and cognitively. For those with
severe disabilities their interaction with controls of any sort is likely to be significantly
limited. The ability to control multiple appliances or output functions becomes an issue
of empowerment, both in expanding the opportunities for the individual to interact
with multiple aspects of the environment and also in reducing the reliance on others.
Integration can be considered on a spectrum from integrating functions for those with
only one binary (on/off) input such as the switch used by Stephen Hawking, to integration
for those who have a relatively good ability to control a ‘high-bandwidth’ input, but in a
constrained way such as using eye gaze to control a computer, to those considered ‘able
bodied’ who increasingly use single interface devices such as mobile phones to control
many functions of their life.
There are benefits to an individual with disabilities in being able to access an integrated
system although it is not always the case that an integrated system is desirable or opti-
mal. Selina’s case study, provides an initial examination of the possible benefits of an inte-
grated system.

Selina’s Case Study
Selina is in her 50’s and has multiple sclerosis. She now spends a large proportion of her day
in bed. Working with Selina we found that her preferred access method was to use a ‘sip-
puff’ switch mounted on a headset. Being body worn, this access method would move with
Selina if she shifted position within her bed when on her own – ensuring that she was able
to maintain use of it. During the day, Selina wanted to be able to use the computer with the
sip-puff for mouse clicking in conjunction with a ‘head mouse’ while also retaining the abil-
ity to control the other equipment within her room; however, in the evenings and at night
she just wanted to be able to control her phone and TV. To achieve this we provided an ‘inte-
grator’. This standalone microprocessor- based device allowed Selina to switch between
her sip-puff controlling the computer mouse functions and the standalone EC system. To
switch between computer and EC, Selina would use a long ‘sip’ – the integrator beeps to
confirm the mode change – and then the sip-puff signal is sent to the other device. 1

History and Research into Integration

Within this section we describe, approximately chronologically, the development
and evolution of integrated systems as part of the development of the wider EAT and
related fields.

1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08C2-WdD6F0.