Technology for Disability - Something for Everyone

The test pilot crashed, but he survived, barely. The colonel was a former astronaut, a national hero, and the accident promised to leave him severely disabled. However, it was the mid-seventies and science was advanced enough to not only save his life but to use electronic or mechanical parts that would do more than make him feel "good as new." It would actually give him extraordinary strength, almost like super-powers. The only problem was the surgery to save this hero would cost $6M.

The story of Steve Austin, The Six Million Dollar Man was a fictional whisper hinting that science had the secrets that could correct even the most severe injuries. What was not fictional was the high cost. Has science taken steps to fulfill up to that fantastic promise?

Although it pales in comparison, I have always been amazed with simple voice-activated typing. Over the years I have tried several speech recognition programs. They all seem to be pretty good once the software is trained to recognize my voice. The only real problem I can find with this not-so-new technology is working around others. This scenario is illustrated in a blog about a woman dictating in a Cyber cafe. She must have been unusually loud to get the response in the blog and comments. No one asked why she used it - was she physically unable to type. They just assumed she was obnoxious.

Then I saw 60 Minutes on Sunday. There was an inspiring story about technology that is closer to the Steve Austin scenario. A brain computer interface (BCI) allows a successful neuroscientist, a hero of a different sort with ALS and "locked in" syndrome, to communicate through a voice-activated computer . Before the BCI interface, he could communicate only with his eyes. The technology involves new computer technology, electrodes connected to heads and eventually brains, so we can assume high costs are involved.

After watching 60 Minutes, I looked around to see how close science is to turning a disabled person into a modern, cost-effective cyborg. Impulse™ provides wireless computer access to severely physically disabled people who can control the faintest muscle contraction, any muscle. This is not exactly performing superhuman feats, but it is magnifying a slight quiver into an actual communicative task of exponential proportions. It was developed for degenerative conditions such as MS, MDA, or ALS, and announced as becoming available last month, October 2008.

There are always augmented and alternate communications solutions available now such as DynaVox, IRISCOM, EYCIN, and others which allow people to make meaningful computer connections using eye movement. This sounds similar to the device used by Elke Wisbey in Saydrah's post.

Another technological wonder I find particularly exciting is use of virtual reality technology, not for communication, but to assist with mobility. Just announced (last Monday) in Israel is a cell phone-sized device that works with eye glasses to stabilize an unsteady gait. The concept here is rewriting brain walking circuits. It was developed specifically for MS, but will undoubtedly be welcomed by others with movement disorders.

While most of these new technologies are pretty expensive, there are many other affordable software applications and devices available today. Apple has offered accessibility aids for years and Windows also offers assistive technology products. I now have a new wireless computer mouse that can magnify where it's pointing, and it is extremely programmable. How neat!

For the last several years, I have been using a small Sony VAIO laptop, weighing just 3 lbs., so it's easy for me to carry around. When I bought it, there were few choices. Today, there is a large selection of small, light laptops. Among them are the new Netbooks, which are small, light, and even energy-efficient laptops specifically targeting Internet use.

Well, none of these things quite fit into Steve Austin's life, but they do, or will, certainly enhance many of our lives that have been interrupted by disability.   I salute science which has made giant leaps as well as tiny steps to improve our lives and lifestyles.

There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist
another human being - to help someone succeed.
Alan Loy McGinnis

Notes:

Wireless Mouse -  programmable mouse that magnifies

  AbilityNet - Global Assistive Technology Encyclopedia

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