7 replies to this topic

[Nucleophobe]

I recently met a *quadriplegic* man who lives at the local nursing facility (I'll call him 'Fred' for privacy). Fred has no motility below the neck and has been bedridden for years now.

I and another friend are looking to assess the best and most cost-effective ways to help Fred regain some freedom. I am experienced with computers and have been investigating various solutions to computer navigation, including voice recognition, eye tracking, and mouth-operated mouses.

Unfortunately, we do not have any budget to speak of, though we are considering holding a run or similar fund raiser for the cause.

My question is: are there currently any open-source solutions that have worked for you? If not, what would be the most cost-effective way to help someone like Fred? Does anyone prefer eye-tracking over VR? I noticed that it seemed to hold more of a niche for those interested in doing computer graphics. If we do raise money and purchase VR software like Dragon N.S., would it be worth it to invest in the latest version?

I am also an ME major nearing my final semesters and would be interested in trying to make special adaptations for Fred if they could help. Any ideas from the community are appreciated!

Thanks.

[Edinburgh Colin]

Nucleophobe, on 03 February 2011 - 08:31 AM, said:

I recently met a *quadriplegic* man who lives at the local nursing facility (I'll call him 'Fred' for privacy). Fred has no motility below the neck and has been bedridden for years now.

I and another friend are looking to assess the best and most cost-effective ways to help Fred regain some freedom. I am experienced with computers and have been investigating various solutions to computer navigation, including voice recognition, eye tracking, and mouth-operated mouses.

Unfortunately, we do not have any budget to speak of, though we are considering holding a run or similar fund raiser for the cause.

My question is: are there currently any open-source solutions that have worked for you? If not, what would be the most cost-effective way to help someone like Fred? Does anyone prefer eye-tracking over VR? I noticed that it seemed to hold more of a niche for those interested in doing computer graphics. If we do raise money and purchase VR software like Dragon N.S., would it be worth it to invest in the latest version?

I am also an ME major nearing my final semesters and would be interested in trying to make special adaptations for Fred if they could help. Any ideas from the community are appreciated!

Thanks.

It sounds like a very well intentioned idea, good luck, there are a few folks on here with Computer experience who may post some advice for you and also obviously users too. Unfortunately I'm not much help in that area, however good luck with your project and if you succeed I hope Fred appreciates it and gains benefit from your solution.

[ajl338]

I have dragon and its ok. You have to be able to speak clearly and without much of an accent to get it to work for you. It also needs patience while training it.

[suzy1965]

I posted the same question yesterday. My cousin is now a quadriplegic and VERY much misses being able to get online and communicate with others. I've been looking for the best program or adaptive device to get him back online and be able join support groups like this one. I know from having breast cancer, that a support group can be VERY helpful. Just being able to talk to folks who TRULY understand what you're going through. I hope we get some good replies on what works best??

Thanks Suzy

[Tetracyclone]

Other threads have addressed this question extensively. Please try looking through the Adaptation section.

[AbiliCize]

I'm quadriplegic and have worked full-time online since I was 14. I have a little experience in this, but I won't pretend to know all. :-)

If the person in question can talk at all, Dragon is the way to go. Speech doesn't have to be perfect, there just needs to be a little patience to learn the software and allow the software to learn the voice patterns. Everything that I am typing right now is done through Dragon. There is really no need to buy the most expensive version, most of them cost several hundred dollars and are for professional uses. Then you have the $100 version and the $200 version, home and premium. I have a copy of each on different computers, I really don't notice much of a difference and I doubt any casual user would notice any difference at all. So go with the 100 version. If the friend needs a computer, there is no need for anything too fancy but obviously try to get something that meets the minimum requirements of Dragon. Check out Craigs List or eBay. Bare minimum, make a post on Craigs List about your situation asking for any extra computers that somebody may have and wants to get rid of. It will probably need a RAM upgrade, but RAM is really cheap and you might be able to find some of that free as well.

I don't have an "eye tracker", but I do have a "head tracker" called TrackerPro. Truthfully, for me, it has changed my life. It is quite expensive so I would not recommend it as a first choice, but something to think about long-term if the person in question has neck movement. A great side effect of a product like this, a stronger neck. Since I've been using the TrackerPro I have definitely noticed a stronger neck, too bad insurance won't take that as a write off. :-)

I would be happy to share more or give more tips if needed, I don't know if this messageboard has a PM system but you can also e-mail me at ryan@abilicize.com

[ArcSeven]

i have a lot of computer parts lying around (not new tech but still work), i could certainly help in some regard if you're still looking

[munkypoop]

I am a quadriplegic and when I purchased my Dragon speak. I contacted the Dragon speak company also, Apple company and what not! For home use, they said, a good PC and Dragon speaking professional 11.5 is the best thing. And that's what I have, and after you do training. It works rather well. Of course, like every voice program. Sometimes gets the words wrong and you have to just fix it right away. But with the program, after you get good with it, you can play games like call of duty and whatnot with just your voice. I play poker a lot and go on various sites every day using just my voice. Of course, when you start someone has to turn it on for you and make the Windows voice program to stop working because sometimes it will interfere with some phrases and freeze the screen. And if you go to www.knowbrainer.com they are owned by Nuance, or Dragon, and if you prove you are disabled you get a free download of extra Vocabulary and some more that just works straight into your Dragon program.