hardware/software/peripherals for quadriplegics
Ken Cribbs
I'm posting this on behalf of a quadriplegic friend who wants to
purchase a microcomputer-based system to help him control his
environment. He has some use of his mouth, tongue and jaw (i.e.,
given the right kind of switches he could probably actuate a
"keyboard" or other input peripheral that doesn't require use
of hands or fingers). The ideal system would give him control
of room lighting, temperature, appliances (TV, radio, audio),
door locks and security system, etc., as well as provide telephone
dialing and answering. Of course, it should also be able to run
the usual word processing, accounting, database management and
other standard software -- but preferably with capability to use
short-form abbreviated-keystroke entries. A particularly good
capability would be easy transferability of the control peripher-
als from bed to wheelchair.
A few systems are available which provide voice-actuated telephone
dialing and simple remote control of appliances, but he has yet
to find an integrated system which goes beyond these basics. If
anyone has any suggestions or can steer me in the direction of
a good resource for this type of equipment, my friend and I would
greatly appreciate the help.
-- Ken Cribbs
{ihnp4,dual,vortex}islenet!kenc
1903 Harbor Square
700 Richards Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-4630
(808) 538-0388, 524-1433
MCI: kcribbs / 223-6667
Gary McKenney
> I'm posting this on behalf of a quadriplegic friend who wants to
> purchase a microcomputer-based system to help him control his
> environment. He has some use of his mouth, tongue and jaw (i.e.,
> given the right kind of switches he could probably actuate a
> "keyboard" or other input peripheral that doesn't require use
> of hands or fingers). The ideal system would give him control
> of room lighting, temperature, appliances (TV, radio, audio),
> door locks and security system, etc., as well as provide telephone
> dialing and answering. Of course, it should also be able to run
> the usual word processing, accounting, database management and
> other standard software -- but preferably with capability to use
> short-form abbreviated-keystroke entries. A particularly good
> capability would be easy transferability of the control peripher-
> als from bed to wheelchair.
>
> A few systems are available which provide voice-actuated telephone
> dialing and simple remote control of appliances, but he has yet
> to find an integrated system which goes beyond these basics. If
> anyone has any suggestions or can steer me in the direction of
> a good resource for this type of equipment, my friend and I would
> greatly appreciate the help.
>
> -- Ken Cribbs
My wife is a nurse at Shepherd (sp?) Spinal Center here in Atlanta, Ga.
There is some development now going on for them at Georgia Tech related
to quad's and para's using this means to gain more control of their
environment.
You need to contact Shepherd Spinal Center at (404) 352-2020 and ask to
speak to someone that knows about these programs.
I have found out that the person in charge of the development at Georgia
Tech is Bill Nations (That's all I know).
My wife is going to pass your name and address along to them and they
should be getting back in touch with you.
gbm
P.S. I'm posting this publicly in the hope to gather more response
to your initial request.