We're only limited by our creativity in applying assistive technology to persons with disabilities. The system uses an infrared beam to illuminate the user's face and a small video camera to record the position of the eyes. It calibrates itself while the user stares at a series of markers that appear at specific locations on the computer screen. Then the markers are replaced with an on-screen keyboard. Other commands, such as saving or printing a file, can be executed by looking at particular places on the screen.
Similar systems are commercially available.
The system, which is expected to be available later this year, will also have significantly improved performance. If that system is too bulky, there's the CyberLink Interface headband from Brain Actuated Technologies, a small company in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The company took technology originally developed to give jet pilots hands-free control of cockpit switches and put it in a cloth headband that can act as keyboard and mouse. Brain Actuated Technologies ultimately plans to sell its headbands to video game enthusiasts as a high-tech alternative to the joystick. But, at the request of a teacher with a paralyzed student, the company first developed a version for quadriplegics, Andrew Junker, company president, said.