Smartphone Access for All - Touch-free Access for People who Cannot Use Their Hands
Minneapolis (August 11, 2015) - Many persons with mobility issues have not had access to touch-screen smart phones and tablets … until now. Using unique technologies, companies like Komodo OpenLab and Sesame are creating touch-free user interfaces.
The Tecla Shield, by Komodo OpenLab, works like a switch interface, allowing users to use their preferred switch, button switches, sip-and-puff controllers, head arrays to joysticks, and wheelchair driving controls, etc. to control their device. This means individuals can use Tecla from their wheelchair during the day and from their bed at night using switches.
The Tecla Shield works with both iOS and Android devices - iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or any Android smartphone or tablet. "With any iOS device, setup is easy - just pair your smart device to the Tecla Shield. And with Android, download the free Tecla Access app from Google Play Store to get started,” said Mauricio Meza, co-founder of Komodo OpenLab.
Using different technology, the Sesame Phone by Sesame works by tracking the user’s head movements using the phone’s built-in, front-facing camera. To turn the the phone on, users simply say "Open Sesame.” From there, the tracked movements of the user are combined with cutting-edge computer vision algorithms to create a cursor that appears on the screen of the phone, similar to a cursor you would see on a computer screen.
The developers of the Sesame Phone have gone to great lengths to offer the complete Android experience for users. "It's not just this app or that app, but rather a single interface that works for any Android app. You can obviously call, text, mail, browse, etc., but you can also download any app you want and use it touch free,” said Oded Ben Dov, co-founder of Sesame.
Who are these products for? They are for anyone who can’t easily access a touchscreen device on their own, but would like to. This includes individuals with upper body mobility limitations resulting from spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, brain injuries or stroke.
The assistive technology market is constantly evolving and developers are making advances and releasing innovative products, changing how individuals with disabilities can access information, control their environment and live a more independent life.
Products and strategies, such as these, will be demonstrated and on display at the Closing The Gap Conference in Minneapolis, MN, October 13-16, 2015.
More information on these and other assistive technology solutions for children and adults with disabilities can be found on Closing The Gap’s website at www.closingthegap.com
About Closing The Gap
Closing The Gap was founded in 1982 by Budd and Dolores Hagen, parents of a child with a disability. Today, Closing The Gap is internationally renowned for providing assistive technology resources and training. In October, Closing The Gap will host the 33rd Annual Closing The Gap Conference, Asssistive Technology in Special Education, Rehabilitation and Everyday Living, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The conference showcases practical and readily available AT solutions for ALL disabilities, mild to significant, infant through adult.The conference includes 17 Full-day, In-Depth Pre conference Workshops, Over 175 presentations and Hands-On Lab Hours and State-of-the-Art Commercial Exhibitors. Conference dates: October 13-16, 2015. The exhibit hall will be open to the public free of charge Friday, October 16, 2015 from 9:00 am - 1:30 pm. For more information visit www.closingthegap.com
About Tecla Shield
Tecla is designed and manufactured in Toronto, Canada by Komodo OpenLab. Our philosophy at Komodo OpenLab is to provide access to all. For more information visit www.gettecla.com
About Sesame Phone
Sesame Enable is in the business of bringing to market cutting-edge technologies designed specifically for people with disabilities. We are driven by a deep belief in equality and universal accessibility, and in developing meaningful devices and ideas. For more information visit www.sesame-enable.com
