Communicating Through The Blink Of An Eye

Communicating through the Blink of an Eye

Interchange Outer East participant Scott Peeler has received a communication device that enables him to communicate for the first time with more than his eyes, in late August 2010.

Due to Cerebral Palsy, the only muscles Scott Peeler from Rowville can control are behind his eyes. Answering yes and no questions by looking up for ‘yes’ and down for ‘no’ has been the only communication option for this 27 year old, until now. 

Last year, when Mr Peeler first trialled the eye tracking communication device at the AGOSCI conference in Canberra, he said through a series of yes/no questions, “This is unbelievable, it gives me so much freedom. I’ve always dreamed of being able to use my own words, in my own order and never thought it would be possible. People take talking for granted but for me this opens up a huge amount of possibilities.”

Now, through his new computer when asked what he thought about it Mr Peeler used the words ‘freedom, super, amazing, tiring, possibilities’ to describe his feelings.

The new device with eye tracking software gives Mr Peeler the opportunity to communicate, have control over daily decisions that will significantly change his life and begin on his life long dream of being a public speaker and author.

The device enables users to control anything operated through infrared such as television and air conditioning remote controls. It also allows them to connect to the Internet allowing users to send and receive emails, text messages and gain control over banking and access other convenient features that are available on the Internet. 

Mr Peeler’s devoted mother Deb Whitaker said, “It will open up so many options for him, Scott has tried a variety of devices to improve his communication, however, most devices rely on him having some control over his movement and Scott really only has control of his eyes.”

Interchange Outer East supported a fundraiser for the device in July 2009 that raised $19,000 for the $26,000 computer the shortfall was covered through an Aides and Equipment Grant. 

The TOBII C12 computer uses an eye control component as an alternative to a mouse or keyboard. The device is lightweight and can be installed directly onto a wheelchair. More information can be found at www.tobii.com

By Rebecca Gallaher