Evaluating a Computer System Used as a Microswitch for Word Utterances of Persons With Multiple Disabilities
By Lancioni, G.E.; Singh, N.N.; O'Reilly, M.F.; Sigafoods, J.; Oliva, D.; Montironi, G.; Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 26, No. 21, pp. 1286-1290Publication Date: November 2004
Study conducted to assess the effectiveness of a computer system used as a microswitch for word utterances among two adults with multiple disabilities. The participants were 18.8 and 22.8 years old, and both were rated in the severe range of intellectual disability. Both were blind, and had spastic tetraparesis and scoliosis. Nine utterances were utilized for each participant. The system used to provide the utterances was a Pentium III computer with Dragon NaturallySpeaking and a new control program. Data were recorded during 20-minute sessions, and included the participants’ frequencies of target utterances, and whether the computer recognized the utterances correctly. The results indicated that the participants increased the frequency of target utterances, and that the system recognized 80 percent of the utterances correctly, providing the participants with high levels of stimulation. The authors contend that the computer system proved to function as an adequate microswitch for word utterances, and that microswitch applications could be used for more than simple motor responses.
Assistive Products Discussed: DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J48459
