Successful+Computing+for+Severely+Mobility+Challenged

Successful Computing for Severely Mobility Challenged Individuals with severe mobility impairments may have difficulty using their fingers, hands, or arms. They face numerous challenges when using computers to access the Internet, including the inability to use a mouse, to select small buttons or icons, or the inability to participate in real-time chat. But the ability to use a computer and access the Internet can be a lifeline to people with severe mobility impairments. Dr. Zhang Xu, a Chinese physician who was severely injured in a swimming accident while working with a medical team in Yemen, said: If anybody asks me what the Internet means to me, I will tell him without hesitation: To me (a quadriplegic) the Internet occupies the most important part in my life. It is my feet that can take me to any part of the world; it is my hands which help me to accomplish my work; it is my best friend---it gives my life meaning. “Web Accessibility. Why Should We Care?” []. Unfortunately, research into specific web 2.0 tools for mobility impaired individuals lags behind that for other impairments. []. But, there are a wide variety of assistive technology devices designed to allow individuals such as Dr. Xu access not only to their computer, but also to the web 2.0. Some examples of such devices include voice recognition software, touch screens, switches, and pointer sticks. One of the best examples of assistive technology permitting an individual with severe mobility impairments to achieve success is Dr. Stephan Hawking, a world-renown astrophysicist who was diagnosed with Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at age 21. ALS is a degenerative disease that results in loss of voluntary control of muscles and muscle atrophy. Despite these challenges, Dr. Hawking is a professor at the University of Cambridge in England and is a best-selling author and lecturer. Because Dr. Hawking cannot walk or speak, he would be unable to continue this active life style without the aid of a computer that has both hardware and software designed to allow him to access the web 2.0. Dr. Hawking initially used technology developed for him by Intel. The company developed a wireless system for him in 1997 allowing him to connect to the Internet using wireless connection and a notebook computer. His laptop was based on a Pentium processor with MMX technology which made it easier for Dr. Hawking to communicate by accelerating his text-to-voice synthesis software. Dr. Hawking is very open about the technology he uses to interact with the Internet. On his personal website, he describes his Computer Communication system. His wheelchair is run by computers mounted directly to it. A screen is mounted on the arm of his wheelchair. His computer runs a program called Equalizer that is written and sold by Words+, an American company. Equalizer has a cursor that moves across the upper part of the computer screen that Dr. Hawking can stop by pressing a switch in his hand. This is his only physical interface with the computer, but it allows him to select words that are printed on the lower part of the screen. His sentences are then sent to a speech synthesizer that is also made by Speech+. Dr. Hawking controls the mouse for his computer through a switch through a small box that is shown on the desktop. His computer is currently running Windows XP and Words+ modified the Equalizer software to be compatible with Windows XP. All of this software and hardware allows Dr. Hawking unfettered access to the web 2.0. The software used by Dr. Hawking is available to anyone with mobility impairments through the Words+ website. Additional Sources: [], [] , [] , [] , [].