SRCLARK@COLOSPGS.BITNET (Steve Clark) (01/05/90)
Index Number: 6031
Hi,
I'm an electrical engineer studying at the University of Colorado
at Colorado Springs. I'm trying to research handicapped tools that
are available and that are needed. My school has a requirement for
graduating engineers to design and realize a significant project to
qualify for graduation. There was a recent public challenge by
M.I.T. students for all engineers to contribute to handicapped
tools (re: Talking Hand et. al.).
I would like to survey those who know best what is *really* needed.
I know there are controversies about existing products, but I
haven't heard what hardware tools (that don't exist) are needed. My
limited background also keeps me from knowing what tools do exist.
If anyone would like to share their knowledge, expertise or needs,
please respond publicly on the echo or privately by e-mail to me. I
will summarize if the response demands.
Remember, anything that can be dreamed can be realized.
StevePaul.Hamlet@f19.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Paul Hamlet) (01/10/90)
Index Number: 6170
Steve-
I use a power wheelchair and hoist on the back of my truck. I'm 40,
developed some serious neurological disfunction at 33.
As an example, I've had problems with the hoist and have been frustrated
by the hoist manufacturer's attitude. I hold a BS in construction and am
currently a master's candidate in industrial technology.
I say this to support my position that I'm qualified to talk about
technical problems and their solutions. But they don't need to rely on
these devices, so a failure doesn't pose the consequences for them that
it does for me.
As a response to your request, I'll be happy to provide advice. I am
sysop on fidonet 114/19.
[The fidonet phone number is: (602) 488-1345 and runs from 9PM
to 6 AM, Arizona time. Baud rate is 2400. Bill McGarry]
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!114!19!Paul.Hamlet
Internet: Paul.Hamlet@f19.n114.z1.fidonet.orgJack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe) (01/10/90)
Index Number: 6177
SC> From: SRCLARK@COLOSPGS.BITNET (Steve Clark)
SC> Message-ID: <9347@bunker.UUCP>
SC> Index Number: 6031
SC> I'm an electrical engineer studying at the University of
SC> Colorado at Colorado Springs. I'm trying to research
SC> handicapped tools that are available and that are needed.
Steve, if you'd like a really challenging project that would fill
a void and help - literally - millions, try your hand at a large
vocabulary, speaker independent, speech-to-text translator.
Some work in this area is ongoing at CMU and elsewhere, but most
of what has been produced misses the mark. I'm not concerned
with voice command applications. Visualize a system that would
permit one to speak into an ordinary voice telephone, and have
a computer translate text on a screen. I am aware of the little
constrained vocabulary trainable systems that exist now. But
they are of but trivial value to hearing impaired people.
One approach might be to digitize the voice waveform, perform
a fast fourier transform to extract components in speech range,
try to match phonemes and lookup words. But doing this in
realtime on anything less than a Cray would be challenging.
Maybe you can think of a fresh approach and become famous!
Good luck on your project, and keep us posted on your progress.
Jack.
... Live, from Beaver County, it's . . . .
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.orgPANDORA.NIGH@f532.n157.z1.fidonet.org (PANDORA NIGH) (01/12/90)
Index Number: 6195
Hi Steve, I'm not sure what you want to classify as "tools", but I can
tell you somethings that I would love to see. I would love a hand scanner
that can read characters (ocr) that could be used by people with limited and
shakey hand control that also is in a price range that the disabled could
afford. I would like a battery operated screwdriver that has a Tbar or strap
handle that would make it easy to hold and use. I would love kitchen
cupboards where the bottom shelf would slide out and rise up. I would like a
light switch that can be voice command specific, such as saying light on,
light off instead of the lame ones they sell in the stores that respond to
any loud noise at all.
Pandora
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!532!PANDORA.NIGH
Internet: PANDORA.NIGH@f532.n157.z1.fidonet.orgAl.Manning@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Al Manning) (01/12/90)
Index Number: 6223
I am going to have to do some digging (or hope Julius sees this
post because I forget the systems name) but there is a voice
activation system availaable in Ottawa that will:
recognize a number of voices
controle modules (avail from Radio Shack among others) to turn
light on or off or dim, turn computer on or off, open doors etc
It uses off the shelf components, mostly American I think. The
controle unit is pricy though about $2200.00 canadian.
It very good for severly hadicapped to be ble to say *FRED* or
whatever name you give your system, TELEVISION ON or FRED COMPUTER
ON or whatever piece of electrical household equipment you have
fitted with a contole module.
It is not a cheap system but it works exceptionaly well
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!163!223!Al.Manning
Internet: Al.Manning@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.orgRon.Rothenberg@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Ron Rothenberg) (01/13/90)
Index Number: 6228
PN> would like a battery operated screwdriver that has a Tbar or
PN> strap handle that would make it easy to hold and use. I would
PN> love kitchen cupboards where the bottom shelf would slide out
PN> and rise up.
Hi Pandora,
these exist. I've seen the strap on screwdriver in a catalogue. Will
post details next time I come across it.
Shelves that slide out and up should be available at hardware, kitchen
or office furniture stores.
-rsr-
... It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick-D. Barry's Mom
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460!Ron.Rothenberg
Internet: Ron.Rothenberg@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgJulius@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Julius) (01/17/90)
Index Number: 6269
Are you talking about the system that PC Home Automation sells?
It's called 'Butler Package' and costs $2,595.00 Canadian. The guy
at the store told me $2,200.00 but in the brochure he gave me it's
listed for $2,595.00. It's a super device. I have seen it work.
I think it is a worthwhile investment especially for quads. As Al
said it can turn on and off lights, radios, TV, and other
appliances. It has a telephone directory memory capability, so you
just tell it to phone a person, and it looks up the number and
makes the call. It even hangs up when you request it. It is also
very polite. It says please and thank you and does everything
right away not like your husband or wife. <grin>
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!163!223!Julius
Internet: Julius@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.orgGreg.Wick@f5.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Wick) (01/17/90)
Index Number: 6270
well i an a C-5 quad and can't open or close my hands. i have tryed other
types of splints but they are vary big ugly and hard to use. the main one
for someone like me is called a rachit splint. what it does is you slide
a lever forward to open your hand and push in a button to have a spring
close it. wait i have that backwards. but anyway i can't reach my hand
with the splint out then reach out with my other hand to close it. i am
not strong enogh to do that. what i have ask for but told they can't make
i know they could is a splint that would open on close my thumb and first
two fingers by putting my arm out palms up would open it then when i turn
my hand palms down it would close. that way tha harder i try to turn my
hand the stronger the grip. even though it want be that strong i could
pick up a sandwich some chips etc. it could have a small spot on the palm
of it to clip in a fork and spoon. right now i have to change splint to
eat type on the computer and brush my teeth. remember the smaller and
lighter the better. good luck
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!5!Greg.Wick
Internet: Greg.Wick@f5.n343.z1.fidonet.orgPANDORA.NIGH@f532.n157.z1.fidonet.org (PANDORA NIGH) (01/17/90)
Index Number: 6287
Hi Al, in regard to environmental control systems I think that you
have me confused with someone else needing some info. I have the addresses
and info for several manufacturers of such systems, albeit I would love to
see someone come up with one in a more realistic price range. For tools I
would love to see a hand held OCR scanner that didn't run a couple thousand
dollars and would be easy to manipulate with hand and motor impairement. I
tried a friends Scan Man and it was not overly effective for me because of
the unsteadyness and inability I had of moving it smoothly and in a straight
line up and down. If someone could come up with a OCR in the price range of
the Scan man and have it less sensitive to extra motion it would be great.
I remember a device that came out over 15 years ago called an Opticon.
This was a hand held scanner that would scan any type of text or simple line
drawings and convert that info into vibrations on a series of wires that
formed the letters onto your fingertip. The Opticon then cost only $300 and
was quite an advance in technology. I wonder why they can not build off of
that and come up with one that reads character to the computer and maintains
a reasonable cost.
Pandora
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!532!PANDORA.NIGH
Internet: PANDORA.NIGH@f532.n157.z1.fidonet.orgPANDORA.NIGH@f532.n157.z1.fidonet.org (PANDORA NIGH) (01/17/90)
Index Number: 6288
Hi Ron, after that post my copy of Accent on Living arived and I saw and
ad for modified kitchen cupboards. I have contacted the company and am
waiting for the specifications and the price on the system. I have a
terrible feeling that the cost will be sky high. The company offers systems
that operate off of a control panel on the counter or off of your wheelchair
and will lower the upper shelves, raise the lower shelves and can raise and
lower the whole counter system such as the area of the sink. Will let you
know how the price runs and the other info I get when it arrives.
Pandora
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!532!PANDORA.NIGH
Internet: PANDORA.NIGH@f532.n157.z1.fidonet.orgEric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman) (01/19/90)
Index Number: 6336
PN> I remember a device that came out over 15 years ago called an
PN> Opticon. This was a hand held scanner that would scan any type of text
PN> or simple line drawings and convert that info into vibrations on a
PN> series of wires that formed the letters onto your fingertip. The
PN> Opticon then cost only $300 and was quite an advance in technology. I
PN> wonder why they can not build off of that and come up with one that
PN> reads character to the computer and maintains a reasonable cost.
I think the price was closer to $3000. In the early 80's the VA helped out
with a project by TSI (makers of the Optacon) to provide it with speech
output. Nothing ever came of it; apparently TSI put all their efforts into
trying to make the speech sound natural and it wasn't until the last minute
that they realized that the camera they were using didn't have enough
resolution for OCR. The VA also commissioned a project to provide the Optacon
with tonal output (similar to the Stereotoner). A few prototypes were built,
but NO documentation was produced and the project died.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman
Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org