Accurate functional assessment of a user's abilities is a key component of successful computer access interventions. Continued development of an easy-to-use software tool is proposed for measuring users' skills in various kinds of computer interaction, including motor actions, perceptual activities, and cognitive activities. This tool will help practitioners diagnose difficulties with an existing interface, evaluate and compare the expected performance with candidate access systems, plan training interventions, track changes in a user's abilities over time, and measure the overall effectiveness of an intervention. In Phase I, we successfully designed, developed, and evaluated a working prototype for the computerized assessment of keyboard and pointing input skills. Phase II will expand the system to incorporate other skill families, such as switch use, and additional features based on feedback from Phase I evaluators. By the end of Phase II, we will have market-ready systems for both the Macintosh and Windows computer platforms.

Proposed Commercial Applications

Not Available

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase II (R42)
Project #
2R42NS036252-02A1
Application #
6294953
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-2 (02))
Program Officer
Heetderks, William J
Project Start
1996-09-30
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$249,151
Indirect Cost
Name
Koester Performance Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48105