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Father and son create system to help disabled patients to communicate

Shared by Ana Duarte on 2017-05-10 16:30

About the solution

The musician used different technologies over the years to help him perform tasks such as composing songs, reading books, interacting with people, etc.

Gary, with his son’s help, developed simple way for his Jason to communicate using a hand-painted geometrical eye chart. The user spells by moving his eyes to the letters in the separate sections of the board, although at home, his family has learned to "read" his eye movements without the aid of the letter board. It’s faster and more efficient than having someone slowly call out all the letters from A-Z until Jason blinked. 

"I still haven't found anything as quick and efficient as my dad's system," Jason stated.

The Becker System was designed to allow a beginner user to quickly become familiar with the layout of a simple eye-movement spelling system and begin communicating immediately.

The eye movement communication system Jason and Gary developed is uniquely theirs but does follow the principals of the E-Tran method (E-Tran is a standard, though thoroughly underused, low-tech Augmentative Alternative Communication method).

It works with only two eye-movements that are necessary to reach any given letter in the system. Complete eye-movement is required to use the system successfully. The patient first indicates which block the letter he wishes to spell is located in by moving his eyes in that direction: Upper, Left, Upper, Middle, Upper, Right, Lower. The caregiver or reader will have these directions in reverse, i.e. when the patient's eyes go to the upper left, it will appear as the caregiver’s upper right.

Despite his condition, Jason is still composing songs and releasing albums.

You can check the system’s instructions in the file attached.

More info: http://jasonbecker.com

Adapted from: http://bit.ly/2r0aLV6
https://youtu.be/AYSXh5sfLtY

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Jason Becker, born in USA, in 1969, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 1989. A guitarist and composer, he designed, with the help of his father Gary Becker, the Vocal Eyes Becker Communication System, an alphabet-oriented spelling and communication tool for those with severely impaired motor and speed capabilities. They built this system because the family found it initially difficult to locate the help they needed to maintain communication as speech gradually became impossible for Jason. 

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