To
find out more, CAOT-BC interviewed Director of Development, Chad Leaman, and
Occupational Therapist, Katrina Tilley.
Tell
us about the LipSync project and the Google Impact Challenge.
Chad: For
people who can’t use their hands, they can’t access a touchscreen device such
as a tablet or smartphone. This represents a huge gap – and in some ways comes
back the origin story of the Neil Squire Society. Neil was using a sip and puff
Morse Code switch system to use a computer fully independently in the 1980s. Now
the phone that you have in your pocket is a million times more powerful than
the device that Neil used, and if Neil was alive today he couldn’t use this
device. We’re looking to bridge that divide so that people with disabilities
can do the things that we do every day and take for granted.
Google.org has an initiative called the Google Impact Challenge:
Disabilities which aims to make the world more accessible for people with
disabilities. They received over 1000 applications that focused on new and
emerging technologies that could really change the world for people with
disabilities. We were one of two Canadian projects that received this grant,
and we’re the only one that is working on a product for people in Canada. What
is great about Google.org, the money is phenomenal of course, but also that
we’ve been really engaged with their employees. We’ve already had meetings with
their Android accessibility team to talk about how they can better meet the
needs of people with disabilities. Through this grant we’re getting not only
money, but also the skilled knowledge that only Google can offer to help
support us in the project.
Another interesting project that received a grant from
Google is looking at using 3D printers to create prosthetics. For a full list
of projects visit: g.co/disabilities.
What
other smartphone/tablet accessibility options are available for people with
limited upper extremity use? What makes LipSync a better option?
Chad: You
could in theory use the Jouse to access Android-based devices but it has to be
plugged into the wall which doesn’t make it a very good mobile solution. The
LipSync can be powered and mounted to a chair, which makes it a better solution
because the phone doesn’t have to be locked to a desk somewhere. There is also
a device called the Tecla Switch but it works on scanning technology, so it
goes through each option and you have to hit a button to select it. So if you
were going to type your name, you’d have to hit the switch to select the
correct row, and then to select the right letter and then you’d have to start
all over again for the next letter. You can see how tedious that would be after
a while.
Katrina: Accessibility on smartphones has
improved for people with vision and hearing loss, but certainly not for people
with upper extremity limitations.
How
will the Neil Squire Society be using this grant?
Chad:
In the first stage, we want to do further work on the LipSync to add additional
functionality – namely BlueTooth connectivity to connect to a wider range of
devices. We also want to simplify the design so much of it can be made on 3d
printers. This is important as we’re looking to release the updated design open
source. Our distribution model is to engage makers, university students, and
skilled engineers and provide them with schematic for the product. Our goal is
for them to build this technology locally in their community in about a day
using a 3D printer and about $100 for parts. We want to make a product that is
affordable and can be made at the local level. The second stage will be to
engage people Pacific Northwest and pilot it with 150 people with disabilities.
We will then scale it across Canada and North America over the coming two to
three years.
Who
is the Neil Squire Society partnering with for this project? How can people
with disabilities gain access to LipSync Technology?
Chad: We’ve
partnered with the Tetra Society of North America – their mandate is to pair
volunteers with people with disabilities to create solutions. They’re going to
work with us to help roll out a couple of projects, including LipSync. We’ve also
started working with the local universities, especially the mechanical
engineering programs. I’ve met with SFU, UBC and BCIT to discuss working this
into course work or other student learning opportunities. We’re also looking at
local maker/hacker spaces. We’re really trying to engage the shared economy and
“skilled volunteerism” for a day or two of work that will have a transformative
impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
Right now on our website there’s
a sign up form for people to express interest in the product. We are hoping to
have a prototype ready by September, although that might be a bit ambitious! We
are going to cover the cost for the release of the first 150 and so we can get
some feedback on the design, although we have done testing on the design
already and we feel that it will be a functional solution for people. We’re
hoping that it will be very low cost so that the parts can be purchased for
around $100.
What
should occupational therapists know about this project?
Chad:
While getting this product ready for release I will be leaning quite heavily on
our four OTs on staff at Neil Squire Society. We’re hoping that OTs working in
BC will be able to refer interested clients to our product.
Katrina:
We expect OTs to be very involved in encouraging people to become aware of this
technology and referring those who would benefit to be part of the pilot
testing.
Anyone who wants to stay updated with the project or may have an interested client can sign up at www.neilsquire.ca/lipsync
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