CHENNAI: All it takes to type is to stare. You can even operate computers comfortably, with your eyes serving as the keyboard and mouse. Eye-gaze technology created jointly by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, and Vidya Sagar, a centre for special education, can be installed on any computer to aid persons with communicative disabilities to type by tracking the movement of eyeballs.
This technology is one of the many that was displayed at the Augmentative and Alternative communication open day held at Vidya Sagar on Tuesday. “Children and adults with severe speech or language problems may need to find other ways to communicate. Through this exhibition, we want to make sure that people who have difficulty in communication know the alternate and augmentative communication methods available for them,” said Kalpana Rao, principal of Vidya Sagar.
Eye-gaze technology, which is first calibrated based on your eyeball movement, will type as you stare at the alphabet on a keyboard on the screen. One can complete all actions performed by a keyboard and mouse without touching anything. “Persons with motor disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum and Parkinson’s disease will benefit from it,” a volunteer from Vidya Sagar said. While eye-gaze technology is still at its formative stages, there are plenty of simple and cost-effective options that are already available in the market.
Those with any communicative impairment can choose from a variety of choice boards that will do the talking for them. Standard phrases like “I want...,” “I don’t want...,” “I’m hungry,” “I’m sleepy,” and yes or no will be displayed on a digital board. The device will read out the user’s choice. One can pick either simple devices with just binary choices or even up to six seven, pre-recorded choices.
An advanced version of this technology is the Avazapp. The app can be installed on any mobile, tablet or computer. “We wanted to make sure that the ability to communicate effectively is just a touch away for all persons with disabilities. The app has hundreds of phrases that will be read out upon selection,” said R Narayanan, one of the app’s developer. The home-screen hosts categories like food, clothing and feelings among others.
The app can be customised to the user’s preference. “This app is useful for not only children with speaking disabilities, but also those on the autism spectrum, who have difficulty in expressing emotions. The ‘feelings’ section of the app, has choices like, ‘I feel angry’, ‘I feel happy’, ‘I feel tired’, etc.,” he said.
Most technologies in these devices are indigenous and are available online for a few hundred rupees.
For details visit: http://www.vidyasagar.co.in/en/
Tools by Enability Foundation for Rehabilitation
Aditi Access Switch: A motion sensor that enables people with motor disability to click and type on screen if the typist waves their hand or leg in front of the device when the alphabet of their choice
is highlighted.
Take Note: A Braille keyboard with just 10 buttons. It can store notes on a memory card and even read them out.
Tactograph: creates an outline for images for children with poor vision or blindness.