Technology for People with Tetraplegia, Part 1: Accessing Computers

Computers have provided a means for people with tetraplegia to compete equally with able-bodied individuals, develop their intellectual and creative abilities and improve their quality of life. For this group of people to benefit from using computers, alternatives to the standard keyboard and mouse, and software to increase the rate of inputting data, are essential. This article describes ‘transparent’ alternatives to standard hardware and software. It discusses keyboard alternatives, point and shoot devices, switches, voice recognition, keyboard emulation and text acceleration packages. The importance of rehabilitation centres offering a comprehensive and up-to-date computer service is highlighted.

[1]  J. Sowers.  Employment for Persons with Physical Disabilities and Related Technology , 1991 .

[2]  M. Laere,et al.  Environmental control and social integration of a high-lesion tetraplegic patient: case report , 1986, Paraplegia.

[3]  D W McDonald,et al.  Environmental control unit utilization by high-level spinal cord injured patients. , 1989, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[4]  Computer Access Technology for a College Student with a High Level Spinal Cord Injury , 1992 .

[5]  John G. Webster,et al.  Electronic devices for rehabilitation , 1985 .

[6]  W. Gordon,et al.  Electronic assistive devices: their impact on the quality of life of high level quadriplegic persons. , 1981, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[7]  K. Hammell.  Occupational Therapy in the Management of High Level Quadriplegia , 1991 .

[8]  Evaluation of a voice activated environmental control system for disabled people , 1988 .

[9]  D. Gloag.  Needs and opportunities in rehabilitation. Aids and the environment. , 1985, British medical journal.

[10]  D. Anson.  Using the HeadMaster with Macintosh, Apple II, and MS-DOS computers. , 1991, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[11]  G. Fraser Shein,et al.  An overview of human-computer interaction techniques for people with physical disabilities , 1992 .

[12]  C. Seplowitz.  Technology and occupational therapy in the rehabilitation of the bedridden quadriplegic. , 1984, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[13]  S. Garber,et al.  High-level quadriplegia: an occupational therapy challenge. , 1985, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[14]  E Peizer,et al.  Technical aids. , 1978, Prosthetics and orthotics international.

[15]  M. Sidler.  Impact of technology on rehabilitation. , 1986, Occupational therapy in health care.