Page 318 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Chapter 10 • Assistive Technology Integration and Accessibility 307

Computer Func on 4 –e.g. Facebook
Computer Func on 3 –e.g. Web
Computer Func on 2 –e.g. SMS
Computer Func on 1 –e.g. Email

AT So ware

Input.
e.g.
Switch(es)

Device 3
E.g. Phone
Device 2
E.g. TV
Device 1
E.g. Pager
Remote Signal (e.g. IR)

FIGURE 10-5 Assistive technology software as integrator model schema� AT, assistive technology; IR, infrared�

Table 10-4 Advantages and Disadvantage of Assistive Technology (AT) Software as
Integrator Model

Benefits Disadvantages
Potentially simple setup. Requires dedicated AT software that requires updating
with operating system and other changes.
Simplicity of use: ability to create mediated/simplified Likely to have reduced functionality in accessing other
interfaces and make control of all devices similar. software if mediated.
No need to be familiar with operating system. Dependent on other software and/or operating system
maintaining access to functions (i.e., via an application
programming interface, keyboard commands or similar).

thoughts of AT integration – alternative computer access providing access to the internet
allows integration of many functions that previously would not have been considered (e.g.,
banking, shopping, email, transport, messaging and virtual environments) (Fig. 10-6).
Examples of such systems are Tobii’s Gaze interaction software, which allows full
17
access to the operating system and all functions that can be controlled from Windows

17 www.tobiidynavox.com/en-GB/devices/Eye-Gaze-Devices/campaign-pceye-mini/.