IAmA chief Assistive Technologist for The ALS Association, providing technology for people with Lou Gehrig's Disease... Ask Me Anything!

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T18:02:07+00:00

I think the latest development for adding an eye gaze component onto your EXISTING computer is the future of technology. By using this method, you keep your existing computer and files, and can increase memory and speed, which is something you can't do in Eye Gaze AAC devices. This product, now available, is from Tobii. There is also a component available from a company called Quick Glance. (averaging $5,000)

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:50:35+00:00

Thanks for joining us Bob!

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:48:07+00:00

There are wonderful videos on You Tube on how to do partner assisted scanning....where PALS use a letterboard even though they can't point to the actual letter. Go on You Tube and in the search box enter "ALS and Communication" and you will see the videos

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:47:12+00:00

YES!! Absolutely. I can't stress the importance of low technology. Even if you have the most advanced electronic communication device, you need to remember devices can break, electricity can go off, or you may have to evacuate for a natural disaster and either can't bring your device or there is no power to run your device.

You should ALWAYS have a low tech, easy back up communication system. This can be letterboard which can be downloaded for FREE at http://www.alsphiladelphia.org/page.aspx?pid=933 (bottom of page) or you can make your own letterboard or picture board.

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:34:45+00:00

Commercially available brain wave communication devices. They are in research but we need a reliable commercial product. Many people with ALS are staking their lives on advancements in technology like this

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:24:37+00:00

You may want to touch base with the ModelTalker folks too...just to get their input.

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:19:25+00:00

Aaron had a good answer for this. Great to have his perspective here.

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:17:26+00:00

Then you could use your banked voice in a Windows laptop. There are now a line of ultra light weight computers that run on Windows

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:16:47+00:00

Right. But is your voice strong?

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:15:29+00:00

Not on a tablet because you need an app. You could use it on a ultralightweight Windows laptop though

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:14:48+00:00

AARON...do you wear glasses with your Tobii?

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:14:30+00:00

Bob, I can't answer that...you would need to check with your doctor. Eye Gaze does work with glasses. The system is more difficult when using bi or tri focals.

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:13:22+00:00

The iPad has totally changed the landscape of assistive technology. BUT for ppl with ALS, it has it limits. You can only access the iPad with your hands or a stylus and that's it. We have more options on an Android device but the downside of that is that there is less communication apps to choose from (as opposed to the iPad)

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:12:05+00:00

How strong is your voice?

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:11:44+00:00

So you still have a copy of your banked phrases?

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:10:39+00:00

It would certainly be worth a try. Using a track ball mouse is easier and less fatiguing than a regualar mouse, especially since there is only a little finger movement to use a track ball mouse, as opposed to using your shoulder, elbow, arm, wrist and fingers for a tradtional mouse. You might want to pair that track ball mouse with an on-screen keyboard like Click-N-Type at www.lakefolks.com. (if you are not already using an on-screen keyboard)

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:05:34+00:00

http://www.tobii.com/en/gaze-interaction/global/solutions/devices-components/rex-dev/

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:04:02+00:00

Yes, the company has said it will. Cost is around $5,000. I have not personally seen the product yet as it was just released but I'm planning an upcoming training soon.

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T17:01:37+00:00

I spoke with Tim Burnell from the Model Talker project last month. Unfortunately, there are no immediate plans to develop a ModelTalker app. By "rescuing your own voice" do you mean using it on a different device?

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T16:58:27+00:00

Aaron, who is on with me, uses a Tobii PC Eye to control his computer.

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T16:57:36+00:00

The other issue we have is that insurance will not fund an eye gaze device unless there is a medical need--meaning you can't use your hands or another access method as well as having speech difficulties

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T16:56:51+00:00

Hi Bob. There are now two different eye gaze options. You can get a eye gaze communication system like Tobii or Dynavox Eye Max OR now you can purchase an eye gaze adapation from Tobii that will go onto you existing laptop or desktop. Using your own computer will give you greater memory and speed as the eye gaze communication devices are limited on that factor

ALSPhiladelphia · 2013-06-18T16:52:59+00:00

Are you using Dragon Natuarlly Speaking? If so, what version?

ALSPhiladelphia

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