SBIR-STTR Award

Computer access, single-switch, control interfaces, assistive technology, assessment, disabilities, rehabilitation, physical therapy this project develops and field-tests a commercial prototype software package designed to provide users of single-switch input devices control access to educational software, multimedia programs, and recreational activities for IBM and PC-compatible computers. This population includes individuals with learning, intellectual, or physical disabilities; very young persons; or adults who are elderly or undergoing cognitive rehabilitation. Ss-scan! Control access software will superimpose over an application program running on the PC a scanning control display containing words, icons, or other representations of functions needed to operate that particular program. Ss-scan! Will move a selector and refresh the display in real time while monitoring the state of an external adaptive switch connected to the PC serial port. It will send appropriate keystroke, mouse function, or command chains to the running application when the user responds to the scan by pressing the switch. Ss-scan! Will be designed for both DOS and Windows and will provide preprogrammed setups for popular software as well as a friendly setup program for custom designs. Ss-scan! Is intended to greatly improve the ability of users with disabilities to access and operate PC software designed for home, education, and business markets.Results:SS-scan! Will be extremely useful to persons of all ages who rely on single switches to access PC computers for school, home, work, or recreational uses. Others who will benefit include parents, teachers assistive technology specialists, and therapists who work with children and adults with disabilities.

This project develops software to provide users ofsingle-switch input devices access to educational andproductivity software, multimedia programs, and recreational activities for IBM and PC-compatible computers. This populationincludes individuals with learning, intellectual, or physical disabilities; very young persons; or adults who are elderly orundergoing cognitive rehabilitation. Based on successful Phase I prototypes, WinSCAN and SS-SCAN superimpose scanning control displays in front of application programs running under Windowsor DOS. These displays contain words or pictures representing general functions to navigate Windows and/or specific functionsto operate particular programs. Custom setups can be created, printed, and saved for later editing and use. WinSCAN works with most external adaptive switches and a popular single-switch interface cable called SS-ACCESS!. When the user responds to thescan by pressing the switch, WinSCAN sends appropriate keystrokes, mouse functions, or commands to the running program.The prototype was field tested by child and adult singleswitchusers and by specialists in control interface technology forpersons with differing abilities. When fully developed in PhaseII, WinSCAN will provide a flexible, powerful new means ofcomputer access for PC users, rivaling those now available forthe Macintosh and preparing new ways to access and operateindependently the next generation of Power PC and Pentiumcomputers, new operating systems, and high-performance software.Anticipated Results & Commercial Applications:WinSCAN andSS-SCAN will be very useful to persons of all ages who rely onsingle switches to access PC computers and operate PC softwaredesigned for school, home, recreation, and business markets.Others who will benefit include employers, parents, teachers,assistive technology specialists, and therapists who work withchildren and adults with disabilities. With emphasis provided bythe ADA in the workplace; changing PC software adoption policiesin school systems; and ready availability of powerful but lessexpensive PC computers running Windows software; the commercialimplications for a product like WinSCAN are profound.