Patricio Barnuevo ITEC-200 Accessible Computers for the Paralyzed Computers have gone from being incredibly complex

machines reserved only for techies to instruments that can be used by nearly anyone. Yet, there has been little progress in creating accessible computers for those with paralysis. Two new technologies will solve this issue and introduce the world of computers to hundreds of thousands of paralyzed individuals. Current systems to make computers accessible for those with paralysis revolve around using a mouthpiece with a stick or a complicated of brainwaves to control the computers actions. These techniques are cumbersome and too complex. Recent developments in eye tracking technology and a new tech that uses a stud in your tongue to control a joystick, could make computers much more accessible. Eye tracking technology uses infrared cameras and lights to track pupils; the tracking information is processed instantly to determine where the user is looking on the screen. Currently this technology is being used with drivers to alert them if theyre falling asleep and in the marketing industry to track where individuals look first in advertisements. Tongue tracking is a newly developed tech that uses sensors on a stud which is placed on the tongue to relay the position of the tongue to a headset, which then executes up to six commands based on the tongues position. Tongue tracking is being developed to help those with paralysis control their wheelchairs. When these two technologies are combined, the eye tracking software can be used to move the cursor and the tongue sensor to execute specific commands or click the cursor. These two technologies combined could allow for paralyzed individuals to use computers. The implementation of this technology could have huge benefits in the business world. The major benefit would be introduction of thousands of individuals into the work force. There exists a large untapped resource in the number of individuals that cant work on computers because they are paralyzed. The introduction of computers to those with paralysis will also benefits hundreds of thousands of people to help them become more functioning members of society, which will subsequently help all types of industries.

Works Cited Eyetracking Inc. "What Is Eyetracking?" What Is Eye Tracking? N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

Fincher, Jonathan. "Eyes-on with Tobii's Eye-tracking Technology." Eyes-on with Tobii's Eye-tracking Technology. Gizmag, 20 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

Georgia Institute of Technology. "Tongue-controlled Wheelchair Outperforms Popular Wheelchair Navigation System." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 Nov. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.