The goal of this project is to improve interventions in the area of computer use for people with disabilities through the development of a software agent for the configuration of computer input devices. Because each person's disability is unique, tuning these devices to each user's strengths and limitations is often critical for success. The software will assess current user performance with an input device and recommend the appropriate configuration for that device. Three main groups of input devices will be supported: keyboards, mice and other pointing devices, and switches. In Phase I, the following goals will be achieved: 1. Specify system requirements, design user interface and modular system architecture to support a wide range of input devices. 2. Develop a prototype which implements configuration agents for specific aspects of keyboard, mouse, and switch use. 3. Evaluate the prototype with target users for technical feasibility and effectiveness. 4. Refine the prototype design based on interative feedback during the evaluation process. Subsequent development in Phase II will expand the prototype to cover a larger range of input device settings.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43HD045015-01
Application #
6689170
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-GRM (10))
Program Officer
Quatrano, Louis A
Project Start
2003-09-19
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2003-09-19
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$100,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Koester Performance Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
961750874
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48105
LoPresti, Edmund F; Koester, Heidi Horstmann; Simpson, Richard C (2008) Toward automatic adjustment of pointing device configuration to accommodate physical impairment. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 3:221-35
Koester, Heidi Horstmann; Lopresti, Edmund; Simpson, Richard C (2007) Toward automatic adjustment of keyboard settings for people with physical impairments. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2:261-74
Simpson, Richard; Koester, Heidi; LoPresti, Ed (2007) Selecting an appropriate scan rate: the "".65 rule"". Assist Technol 19:51-8;quiz 59-60