Implementation of a PC-based Integrated Control System for Children

Children with severe physical disabilities often require a range of technological devices to aid them with the fundamental tasks carried out in everyday life. These tasks areas may include mobility, communication, environment control and computer access for education. The most efficient, and often the most cost-effective, way of providing for these requirements is by the provision of a single, integrated system tailored to the individual's needs and abilities. BASIS, the Barnsley And Sheffield Integrated System, is an integrated control system based on a wheelchair-mounted personal computer (PC) and currently implements the following modules: wheelchair control; a spoken communication package; control of home equipment via infra-red; and a facility to run third-party software. The system presents a consistent and uniform environment to the user for selection and activation of these modules and can be controlled by one to four switches (scanning or directed access), a touch screen, a head pointer or a mouse. Safety considerations have played a central part in the design of the system. BASIS can be tailored to the user's requirements by editing a text file in software and by connecting the appropriate hardware modules to the serial and parallel ports. The graphical user interface has been designed for use by children and employs pictorial representation (icons) of available functions on a colour screen. These icons can be chosen from clip-art or drawn on computer drawing package. It is also possible to scan in and utilize drawings or photographs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)