A communications device for the severely handicapped
Authors: G. C. Vanderheiden, D. F. Lamers, A. M. Volk, C. D. Geisler
Venue: Proceedings of the ACM annual conference (1973)

A student initiated project has led to the use of a new technique and the development of a new device which can provide a means of communication for severely handicapped people, especially useful for those who are both mute and unable to use a typewriter. The device, called the Auto-Com (Auto-Monitoring Communication Board), was developed especially for use by individuals with afflictions which result in severe spastic motions. For these individuals, most devices that utilize switches are extremely difficult or impossible to operate. This is due to the fact that normal switches, levers and keyboards all rely on a discrete motion of some form for their operation. Because of sporadic motions, these people are constantly making errors due to false triggering of the switches. These errors are very frustrating for them and usually result in rapid rejection of the device. Some devices have been developed which overcome the spastic motion problem by using large, gross motor movements as the signal source. In this manner switches can be successfully used, but their number is limited. Special techniques are then required to specify all of the alphanumeric characters with these few switches. In contrast, the Auto-Com copes with the problem of spastic motion by using the lack of motion rather than its presence as its control signal. Thus, any sudden Jerks, movements or lack of control will be ignored, allowing error-free control. This technique also allows the close packing of signal switches: more than 80 of them are located in a 12" &times; 15" area. This large number of switches allows a simple one-to-one relationship between the switches and the characters, making understanding and operation of the unit simple, even for a young child. This direct specification of each letter also reduces the time needed by the user to select a letter. The current model of the Auto-Com consists of a sensing board, a hand-piece and several output devices. The sensing board is similar in appearance to a &ldquo;language board&rdquo;, a commonly used communication technique for the handicapped. A typical language board is a flat piece of wood with letters, numbers and some common words painted on it. The handicapped person communicates by pointing out the letters of his message to another person. The Auto-Com works in much the same manner except that it is auto-monitoring. It does not require the presence of another person. Like the language board, the surface of the sensing board is hard and smooth and has letters painted on it. Communication is accomplished by sliding the handpiece over the board's surface until its black post (a magnet) is located over a desired letter. A magnetic reed switch located directly underneath that letter is then closed. If the magnet is kept there for a short (adjustable) period of time, the letter is printed on the TV screen or teletype unit. Since the magnet does not need to stand absolutely still, but only remain within an area surrounding the letter, the device will ignore small movements and tremors. Sensory feedback, both auditory and visual, has been provided to aid the operator. Use of the TV screen as the output device allows the operator to go back and correct mistakes or to modify his text. An initial version of the Auto-Com, having only typewriter output, has been used for over nine months by an Cerebral Palsied child in the Madison school system. Unable to talk, write or type, this child uses the Auto-Com for everything from spelling and grammar lessons to writing personal letters. The Auto-Com has been tried with other severely handicapped people on a short-term basis. It appears that any person with the muscular and language skills necessary to use a language board can achieve independent communication through the use of the Auto-Com. A more recent version, using an Ann Arbor TV controller, a portable TV set and a teletype, is being interfaced (using the RS-232 standard) to a computer to facilitate modelling a &ldquo;word-board&rdquo;, in which each lettered square of the language board is assumed to represent one or several words. This will help guide design choices regarding use of a ROM implemented vocabulary and hardware editing logic. The computer interface also makes it possible to provide computer-assistance to the person with disabilities, be it in the form of computer assisted instruction, text handling, etc.