Technology and Disability - Volume 13, issue 2

Authors: Losson, Olivier | Cantegrit, Brigitte

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The multimedia software described, called LAC, is aimed at any public wishing to become familiar with the various communication techniques in use among deaf people. Its underlying principle is the association of words and ideas: For each entry in a lexical collection ordered by topics, it provides practical examples of expressions, illustrative pictures and videos, as well as the equivalents in sign language and cued speech. As an answer to users' difficulty in creating the signed videos, a generation module of the synthetic animations is proposed. This is able to take into consideration the specific phonology and grammatical processes of …sign language. The virtual character has been designed so as to exhibit a realistic behaviour, and is driven by a hierarchic description of signs. Included in the interface of LAC, it should soon be in a position to translate whole written sentences. Show more

Keywords: computer-assisted learning, multimedia interfaces, sign language synthesis

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2000-13201

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 83-94, 2000

Authors: Aminzadeh, Faranak | Edwards, Nancy | Lockett, Donna | Nair, Rama C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Bathroom falls are a significant health hazard among seniors. This cross sectional survey examined patterns of utilization and acceptability of bathroom safety devices, bathing and toileting practices, and bathroom falls in a sample of 550 older residents of non-profit apartment buildings in two Canadian regions. Almost one-third of participants (32%) preceding the study, of whom about 15% half of the bathroom falls were related to bath or toilet transfers and 80% access to bathroom devices used them regularly and found them helpful. However, many participants also relied on hazardous supports to facilitate bathing and toileting activities. Implications of the findings …relate to policy planning, product design, standard development, and public education. Show more

Keywords: bathing, falls, assistive technology, older adults

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2000-13202

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 95-103, 2000

Authors: Wessels, Roelof | de Witte, Luc | Andrich, Renzo | Ferrario, Massimo | Persson, Jan | Oberg, Birgitta | Oortwijn, Wija | VanBeekum, Taeke | Lorentsen, Øivind

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: IPPA (Individually Prioritised Problem Assessment) is a new instrument to assess the effectiveness of assistive technology provision. It assesses the impact that problems have on daily life as perceived by the end-user. In an international trial, 248 clients of service delivery centres were interviewed using the instrument, of whom 188 also participated in a follow-up interview. Respondents had problems in mobility, hearing, speech-related communication or self-care. In addition to IPPA, SIP68 and EuroQol were administered for validation purposes. The instrument fits well into the process of service delivery (and even facilitates the actual assessment). The direction of changes measured by …IPPA is consistent with the direction of changes measured by SIP68 and EuroQol, supporting construct validity. Changes measured by IPPA are considerably larger, supporting our view that solving problems is a key outcome in provision of assistive devices. Results support the ideas behind the instrument and are promising enough to continue. Show more

Keywords: outcome measure, assistive technology, effectiveness, client-centred perspective

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2000-13203

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 105-115, 2000

Authors: del Río, F. Díaz | Rodríguez, M.A. | Jiménez, G. | Sevillano, J.L. | Amaya, C. | Civit, A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper we present a set of tools that help in building interfaces for users who exhibit uncontrolled tremor in their upper limbs. These tools, which use a standard sketch board as sensing and final interface device, permit the logging of movement information while the user performs some simple tasks. Several movement analysis tests are proposed and applied to a small group of users. These preliminary experiments were conducted as a phenomenological study of these users. Although the sample size is small, test results are studied in detail and several important conclusions are obtained. Furthermore, useful data and procedures …for building usable interfaces are also presented. Show more

Keywords: human-machine interfaces, computer accessing, tremor suppression, tremor modelling, signal filters

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2000-13204

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 117-131, 2000

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2000-13205

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 133-140, 2000