Page 309 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

298 HANDBOOK OF ELECTRONIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Chris’s Case Study
Chris is a young man who lives in Australia and is able to access a wide range of technology
using a single head switch. Chris is a video editor and uses his switch to control the video
editing and capture software on his computer and tablet/phone. Chris uses his video edit-
ing skills to great effect in uploading videos, demonstrating his switch access online, as
well as blogging. Chris uses his switch via a wireless Bluetooth interface device to control
all aspects of his technology – controlling his desktop computer that features functions
more traditionally termed as EC (i.e., phone calls, TV, doors, lights, etc.). He does this by
using mainstream protocols such as Apple TV, WeMo switches, etc. Chris is able to access
additional aspects of control not traditionally available through EC systems – text messag-
ing, web access (on any device) and instant messaging. As well as integrating the functions
he is able to control using the system Chris is also able to integrate between devices – using
‘platform switching’ to independently switch between his desktop PC and his phone. 5

Factors to Consider When Recommending Integration
When making a decision to either use integrated access or separate control interfaces a
number of factors need to be taken into account. This section attempts to list some of
these considerations followed by a section that reviews factors specific to different integra-
tion modes. There are many factors to consider but the initial decision should be whether
or not to consider an integrated system in the first place.
It is important to ensure that accessing one technology is not compromising the per-
formance and efficacy of the other, for example, the skills required to drive a powered
wheelchair are different to those required to access a computer. Guerette and Sumi (1994)
also concluded that integrated access may not be appropriate when:
• Performance on one or more assistive devices is severely compromised by integrating
control.
• The individual wishes to operate an assistive device from a position other than a
powered wheelchair.
• Physical, cognitive or visual/perceptual limitations preclude integration.
• It is the individual’s personal preference to use distributed controls.

The following section provides more detail on the potential factors to consider in the
design of specific integrated systems.

Individual Considerations

It is not appropriate to describe all the possible factors here and these should emerge from
a comprehensive assessment (see Chapter 4). Two key factors should be noted, however:
cognitive load and input ability.

5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSgndQ5mVs; https://gettecla.com/blogs/news/50224517-meet-
christopher-hills-known-as-the-switch-master-for-his-expertise-in-apples-switch-control; https://www.
youtube.com/user/icdhills.