July 2008

Devices help bring voices to life

With a few keystrokes to a device that looks like a touch-screen computer, Doug Goering, 16, of Indian Hill, “described” one of the things he likes to do.

He touched a button on the machine, which is mounted to his motorized wheelchair.
“I like looking at cool people in the mall,” a computerized voice announced.

On another day, Gregory Nelson, who will be a freshman at Lakota East Freshman School, used his communication device to tell colleagues in the summer program about his vacation plans in New York.

Video: See how computerized devices aid students with cerebral palsy

Goering and Nelson are among roughly 500,000 Americans with cerebral palsy, a lifelong developmental disability that limits their ability to use their muscles, including those that control speech.

They are also among a growing number of people with the disability who use high-tech computer technology to help them communicate.

United Cerebral Palsy’s Aaron W. Perlman Center for Children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is considered progressive in the assistive technology arena.

It runs the summer writing program that Nelson and Goering are attending this month.

UCP is also the only organization in the region that provides a comprehensive assessment of those with cerebral palsy or similar disabilities, according to its leaders.

Technology is a big part of that.

Companies seek out the nonprofit organization when promoting sample products, so UCP always has the latest and greatest devices to show to clients.

UCP gave two presentations at the Chicago-based National Assistive Technology Industry Association’s February conference, which showcases the best-of-the-best in assistive technology. The annual conference is the largest of its kind in North America.

Locally, clients and their families are glad to have this resource close to home.

“Everyone talks about independence,” said Paul Clawson, of Loveland, whose son Timmy, 11, has used a wheelchair and communications device most of his life. “The chair and the communication devices give them the independence they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Assistive technology is a broad term that includes wheelchairs, lifts, voice-activated software and everything in between, including communication devices. It’s at least a multimillion-dollar industry and is growing, said Caroline Van Howe, program director for the Assistive Technology Industry Association.

A single communication device can cost up to $10,0000. Insurance companies or government programs often can defray the cost.

The benefit of the devices is enormous, said Van Howe. “It literally gives them a voice,” she said.

Devices range in sophistication depending on the person’s needs.

The students in the Perlman Center’s writing class learned how to use their devices to create their own Web sites. Some of the students have enough dexterity to press keys on a keyboard or computer screen to use their devices.

Others like Nelson operate their devices by head motion. A sensor that resembles a small, round sticker is placed on the forehead so the person can activate the device simply by move moving their heads. to activate the device.

Some communication devices are simply specialized computers. They can include Internet access, mobile phone adaptations and can even be programmed to turn off the television or lights.

Younger children at the center use the devices to say the alphabet or ask for a toy. UCP also runs the Alfred J. Rendigs Memorial Center, where adults take classes and can use communication devices to look for a job or complete college courses.

Joe Weinheimer, 14, can speak talk fairly well on his own so he doesn’t need a communication device. But the Oak Hills student and aspiring writer still took the class, using his laptop to perfect a profile that he will link to his own Web site, http://superjoe-agr.blogspot.com.

“It puts my thoughts on the Internet where everyone sees them,” he said. He has already authored a story which is posted on the site.

Communication devices have opened up a whole new world for those with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, including autism.

As soon as a When child begins using a communication device, “within a few minutes they’re doing something they’ve never done before – drawing a picture, saying the alphabet,” said Melissa Tally, a physical therapist at the Perlman Center. “People will say something meaningful. They just hadn’t ever had the opportunity to say it before.”

By Jessica Brown
jlbrown@enquirer.com

July 27, 2008