I visited Henry Viscardi School last week and met a boy who was very excited with a camera. He uses wheelchair, moves unsteady and can't speak, but shows very exciting emotion whenever he listens to words related to a camera such as a camera, a flash, an album and taking a picture.
I always had a question whenever I visited hospitals or schools for disabilites that were well equipped and had many staffs including occupational therapists as well as physical therapists. "Ok, here is very good for them. But, what they can do after this institution?"
If I make a camera interface that can be operated well by him, then he will have an opportunity to be a photographer, or have a good hobby at least.
Target User
1. user: K(anonymity) at HVS, therapists and K's family
2. K:
- 15 years old boy
- Electric Power Wheelchair
- Spasmodic movement
- Speech impediment
- Passion for photography
= want to have a camera
= want to take a picture with it
= want to make an album
3. What can K do? (about an hour of observation)
- Listen and answer w/ moving body or making a small sound
- Control auto-wheelchair w/ left hand
- Computer, Internet w/ joystick, button
= type w/ screen keyboard and big button
= ex: type "canon powershot” at MSN image search
Tasks to bulid and to solve
1. functions related to camera
- Take a picture
- Make a caption
- Delete a picture
- View pictures
- Upload pictures (ex: Flickr)
- Make his own ablum page
2. How can I avoid a shaking when he press a button?
- put waiting time between "button pressed/released" and "taking a picture"
- use other body parts to press switches such as head, knee, or foot.
System Overview
Prototype of Editing Software
- need to change several points
= make easily change the size of program window
= make font bigger
= write complete sentence to avoid confusion
= Next/Previous navigation function
= put sound to every operation
= so on.
Similar project before
1. "Wheelchair Camera Stand"(pdf) at National Science Foundation 2005 Engineering Senior Design Projects to Aid Persons with Disabilities
- Camera Mount for a disabled person
= No use of legs, left arm, only limited use of right arm and hand due to cerebral palsy
= Passion for photography and is hoping to start own digital imaging business
future plan
1. How about to move a camera?
- servo motors
2. Usage of joint arm to attach a camera
Some questions I will send to the school
1. Questions for making prototype.
Q. Can K read a book and turn a page by himself?
Q. What resolution are you using on computer monitors for students?
Q. Can K use other body parts to press a switch rather than his right hand?
I saw other students use their heads or knees to press switches.
2. Just for my curious.
Q. How and when do therapists know K loves camera?
Q. How long does he take to learn to operate computer?
3. Discarded questions.
Q. Can I use power from wheelchair, maybe a battery?
Q. Does K have any experience about a camera, taking a picture or seeing an album before?
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