AN EYEGAZE/HEADPOINTING COMMUNICATION/ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DEVICE FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION

THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO MILLION CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES WHOSE PHYSICAL AND/OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS ARE SO SEVERE THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER PERSONS OR INTERACT AND LEARN FROM THEIR ENVIRONMENT IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER. DISABILITIES OF THIS DEGREE IMPACT PEOPLEWITH MENTAL RETARDATION AND OTHER DISABILITIES AND SEVERELY LIMIT THEIR ABILITY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, FREEDOM OF CHOICE, INDEPENDENCE, AUTONOMY, AND CONTROL OVER ONE'S IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT IS OFTENTIMES LIMITED AT BEST, WITH THE DEGREE AND COMBINATIONS OF DISABILITY IMPACTING THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM. KOSTRABA ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES IS PROPOSING TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING AND DESIGNING INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION AND OTHER DISABILITIES USING EYEGAZE AND/OR HEADPOINTING TECHNOLOGY. THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH THE ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS, OUTLINES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOCOLS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING MODULES AND SOFTWARE DESIGN THROUGH THE USE OF EYEGAZE/HEADPOINTING TECHNOLOGY WILL BE CREATED TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION TO LEARN, COMMUNICATE AND MAKE CHOICES IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES. RESULTS OF THIS FEASIBILITY STUDY INVESTIGATE TECHNOLOGY OF VARIOUS EYEGAZE SYSTEMS IN USE/DEVELOPMENT BY COMMERCIAL ANDMILITARY DEVELOPERS. A SUBSET OF THE POSSIBLE SYSTEM FEATURES WILL BE SELECTED FROM A PRIORITIZED LIST/CHART; THESE FEATURES WILL BE THOSE WHICH ARE IMPLEMENTABLE IN AN ACTUAL, AFFORDABLE DEVICE. CRUCIAL DEVICE SUBSYSTEMS WILL BE PROTOTYPED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK REGARDING PERFORMANCE, COST AND MANUFACTURABILITY.