A voice-detecting sensor and a scanning keyboard emulator to support word writing by two boys with extensive motor disabilities

Benefits of the use of ICT in school activities by students with motor, speech, visual, and hearing impairment: A literature review

“…In the present review, most of the studies (n=26) have a quantitative design: two with cohort designs (40,41), single-subject design (n = 4)(42-45), before-after design (n=10) (46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55) , casestudy design (descriptive) (n = 5) (56-60), and six studies with a cross-sectional design (n = 6) (61-66). Five studies have a qualitative design (67-71).…”

“…voicedetecting sensor (49), micro switch and keyboard emulator (45) and contact tongue protrusion (57), as well as commercial products, such as switches and screen keyboards (50). The computer and the different access solutions were studied to facilitate students writing (45,49), to interact with their surroundings (57), and to contribute to attaining students´ Individual Education Programme (IEP) goals (50). Table IV shows speech-generating hard-and special software studied in five studies, used in students with speech impairment.…”

“…Finally, computers with special multimedia software applications were the types of ICT that had been used and studied in all articles in students with hearing impairment. Regarding how ICT was being used in the 16 intervention studies, Tables II-VI indicated that the purposes of the ICT interventions were either to compensate for the disability (42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)53) or to exercise to improve functional capacity (40,41,52,54,55).…”

“…In the intervention studies (45,49,50), one indicated that the writing speed increased in one of two boys (49), another that one student's writing performance had increased through the use of a micro switch (45). Moreover, findings in a survey of students with motor impairment (62) showed that the computer improved opportunities as an educational tool (e.g.…”

Assessing the Viability of a Vocal Cord Vibration Switch for Four Children with Multiple Disabilities~!2009-10-06~!2010-02-19~!2010-04-02~!

“…However, due to dysarthria, poor respiratory control, or laryngeal dysfunction, produced vocalizations may not be comprehensible to the general population, or consistent enough for speech recognition systems [8]. To this end, microphone-based voice activated switches have been used and proven to be effective [9,10]. Such solutions, however, suffer from problems associated with low-volume sounds, unintended sounds (such as coughing), and environmental noise [8].…”