SBIR Phase I: StickMouse: An Assistive Device to Enable Full Access to Computer Applications for Physically Disabled Users

Reata计算服务公司的这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种计算机界面产品StickMouse，这将代表着在克服当前辅助设备的限制方面取得的重大进展。在美国，有数百万残疾人由于瘫痪或疾病而无法正常使用手或手臂。这些人不能充分利用计算机，因为他们不能用集成设备同时操作鼠标和键盘。随着以技术为基础、基于互联网的产品、服务和教育变得越来越普遍，这些残疾对教育和经济的影响变得越来越严重。这种情况不仅影响到每个人的经济和个人福祉，也影响到我们国家的生产力。StickMouse将允许在易用性、舒适性、成本效益、材料适宜性以及可靠性、耐用性和可维护性的约束下进行键盘输入和模拟鼠标操作。由于StickMouse是一种通用的用户界面设备，它将支持任何类型的计算机使用，包括教育、创造就业机会以及增强个人生活和独立性。StickMouse将促进计算机的使用，使肢体残疾人士有更多机会接触和与计算机应用程序互动，包括网络界面和编程技能。Reata计算服务公司提供的技术将增加就业机会，并通过残疾人士访问需要鼠标的软件来促进他们的教育发展、经济独立和生活质量。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I from Reata Computing Services, Inc. project will develop a computer interface product, StickMouse, that will represent a significant advance in surmounting the limitations of current assistive devices. There are millions of disabled people in the United States who do not have normal use of their hands or arms due to paralysis or disease. These individuals cannot utilize a computer fully because they cannot manipulate both the mouse and keyboard with an integrated device. The educational and economic impact of these disabilities becomes more and more severe as technology-enabled, Internet-based products, services, and education become more prevalent. This situation not only has an impact on each individual's economic and personal well being, but also it has implications for our national productivity as well. StickMouse will enable keyboard entry as well as simulate mouse manipulation within constraints of ease of use; comfort; cost effectiveness; material suitability; and reliability, durability, and maintainability. Because StickMouse is a general user interface device, it will be enabling for any type of computer use, including education, creation of job opportunities, and enhancing personal life and independence. StickMouse will facilitate the use of the computer so that physically disabled individuals will have much greater access to and interaction with computer applications, including web interface and programming skills.The technology proffered by Reata Computing Services will increase employment opportunities and enhance educational development, financial independence and quality of life for disabled individuals through their access to software requiring the mouse.