Ambulation, Object Manipulation, and Multiple Disabilities: Extending the Applicability of a Robot

This study further tested the applicability of a robot with people with severe multiple disabilities. The robot was used to help two adults with blindness, deafness, motor disabilities, and low functioning levels ambulate and transport objects and enable them to reach a couch on which they could sit and put away the objects. Both adults learned to use the robot, succeeded in transporting and putting away objects, and achieved robot-assisted ambulation times of about 31 minutes per session.

Use of An Acoustic Orientation System for Indoor Travel with a Spatially Disabled Blind Man

A simple acoustic orientation system was built for indoor travel and assessed with a blind man who had difficulty moving at home and at work. The results showed that the system helped the man move successfully (and perform activities) in both contexts and that the man was eager to use it.

Guiding a Person with Blindness and Intellectual Disability in Indoor Travel with Fewer Auditory Cues

This study assessed the possibility of guiding a person with blindness and intellectual disability during indoor travel with fewer auditory cues. To improve the chances of success, the orientation system used to present the cues was set to monitor the person's travel and to provide extra cues in case of errors. The results indicated that infrequent presentations of the cues and the provision of extra cues in case of errors maintained high levels of independent moves, albeit of increased duration.

A Portable Control Device for Promoting Independent Indoor Travel by Persons with Severe Multiple Disabilities

A portable control device linked via radio to acoustic sources was used for promoting independent travel and activity in two adolescents with severe multiple disabilities. The control device allowed the subjects to enter activity destinations with a simple, standard response, which activated acoustic sources that indicated the way to each destination. Both adolescents learned to use the device effectively and were successful in reaching the destinations and carrying out activities on their own.

Comparison of two Orientation Systems for Indoor Travel of Blind Persons with Mental Retardation

Two blind women affected by severe mental retardation were exposed to two previously developed orientation systems. One of the systems was based on acoustic cues, the other on vibratory feedback. The aim was to assess the relative effectiveness of the two systems. Data indicated that the acoustic system ensured a higher frequency of correct moves for one of the subjects and a more rapid performance of the moves for both subjects. The findings are reviewed in relation to the characteristics and applicability of the systems.

Automatic feedback to promote safe walking and speech loudness control in persons with multiple disabilities: two single-case studies

OBJECTIVE

Assessing automatic feedback technologies to promote safe travel and speech loudness control in two men with multiple disabilities, respectively.

METHOD

The men were involved in two single-case studies. In Study I, the technology involved a microprocessor, two photocells, and a verbal feedback device. The man received verbal alerting/feedback when the photocells spotted an obstacle in front of him. In Study II, the technology involved a sound-detecting unit connected to a throat and an airborne microphone, and to a vibration device. Vibration occurred when the man's speech loudness exceeded a preset level.

RESULTS

The man included in Study I succeeded in using the automatic feedback in substitution of caregivers' alerting/feedback for safe travel. The man of Study II used the automatic feedback to successfully reduce his speech loudness.

CONCLUSION

Automatic feedback can be highly effective in helping persons with multiple disabilities improve their travel and speech performance.

Persons with multiple disabilities use orientation technology to find room entrances during indoor traveling

These two studies assessed adapted orientation technology for promoting correct direction and room identification during indoor traveling by persons with multiple (e.g., sensory, motor and intellectual/adaptive) disabilities. In Study I, two adults were included who had severe visual impairment or total blindness and deafness and used a wheelchair for traveling. In Study II, two adults participated who had visual impairment or total blindness but were ambulatory. All participants were to travel to different rooms located along a hallway to carry out small activities. The orientation technology ensured that the participants received (a) a verbal instruction to go to their right or left and/or a vibratory cue to the right or left side of their body as soon as they exited a room to orient their travel within the hallway and (b) a similar verbal instruction and/or vibratory cue to turn and enter when they reached the next target room entrance. Results of both studies showed that the participants on wheelchairs and those able to ambulate were successful in using the technology, orient their travel, and find the appropriate room entrances. The findings are discussed in relation to the importance of independent indoor traveling and the impact of the new technology.

Assisted ambulation and activities for persons with profound multiple disabilities: assessing different ambulation levels

Two participants with profound multiple disabilities were exposed to two occupational situations, which included 1-min. and 3-min. robot-assisted ambulation prior to each activity, respectively. Analysis showed participants' mean percentages of engagement time (session time they spent ambulating or manipulating objects) were well above 90 in both situations. The amount of deviant behavior was somewhat higher in the latter occupational situation for one participant. Implications of the findings were discussed.

Supporting independent indoor travel of people with blindness and intellectual disability with reduced frequencies of auditory cues

This study evaluated the feasibility of supporting independent indoor travel using reduced frequencies of auditory cues with two persons having total blindness and profound intellectual disability. For these persons, who had acquired satisfactory travel performance with cues occurring every 8 sec., the cue frequencies were reduced to one-half or one-third of the original level. Analysis showed that both participants could manage accurate travel under the new cue conditions, even though their travel time (efficiency) seemed negatively affected. Implications of the findings were discussed.

A corrective-feedback system for helping a person with multiple disabilities during indoor travel

An unobtrusive system, which provided corrective feedback (vibratory stimulation) for an incorrect direction, was used to help a woman with deafness and profound intellectual and visual disabilities during her indoor travel. The data showed that the woman used the system very effectively and reached destinations for performing activities independently. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Two women with multiple disabilities sharing an acoustic orientation system and traveling together to indoor destinations

This study assessed whether two women with total blindness and profound intellectual disability could share an acoustic orientation system and travel together simultaneously to common indoor destinations to perform occupational and vocational activities. The orientation system provided acoustic cues which indicated the direction to the destinations. Analysis of data indicated that the women were successful in sharing the system and could reach the destinations independently.

Spoken messages as auditory cues for orientation in promoting indoor travel and activity by persons with multiple disabilities

Spoken messages lasting about 2 sec. and occurring every 8 or 9 sec. were used as auditory cues for orientation to guide two persons with multiple disabilities to destinations for indoor activities. The use of spoken messages was alternated with buzzer-like sounds of the same duration and frequency of occurrence. The preliminary data indicated that both the spoken messages and the buzzer-like sounds were very effective as orientation cues. Staff found no difference in disturbance between them, yet, both were considered less disturbing than buzzer-like sounds of previous studies which had a higher frequency of occurrence.

A visual orientation system for promoting indoor travel in persons with profound developmental disabilities and visual impairment

A visual orientation system was employed for promoting independent indoor travel for two young adults with profound developmental disabilities and visual impairment. The system was a portable device subjects wore and light sources that marked the routes to the various destinations. Data showed that the system was useful in helping the subjects orient and move independently in their daily environment and in a new (generalization) setting. The visual orientation system is discussed in relation to other systems previously developed.

An acoustic orientation system to promote independent indoor travel in blind persons with severe mental retardation

An acoustic orientation system was devised to promote independent indoor travel in blind persons with mental retardation. The system was assessed with four blind adolescents, all affected by severe mental retardation. Data showed that the system was very useful in helping those adolescents orient and move independently in their daily environment and in a new (generalization) setting. The findings are discussed in relation to the characteristics of the system.