Attached is a picture of a laptop tray mount that we afford our PALS if
they want laptops attached to wheelchair for hand or head tracking
access.  Some will also use a lapdesk from Target/et al to manage either
an external keyboard or wireless mouse in coordination with this laptop
tray mount.  Velcro strips and 3M Dual Lock Velcro has been used to
secure the laptop on the top of the tray.

Previously, I worked with a typical determined teenage girl, with
cerebral palsy, who despite her athetosis typed with her left hand on
the keyboard and used her wheelchair controls to control the mouse.
Velcro and reapplications of Velcro secured her Dell laptop, which was
attached to a clear cutout laptray for three years until she graduated
from high school.

The tray and mounting plate was constructed by local Department of Rehab
Services and the DAESSY wheelchair mount & total quick release base are
from our loan closet.  The first trays and mounting plates were made
from scrap wood and metal.  We found a local plastics store that
afforded a sturdy light weight black plastic sheet which was cut into 16
x 11 inches trays, making 12 trays for $78 dollars.

Thanks again Jen for bringing this up.

Alex

Alex P. Kurth
Assistive Technology Specialist
ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter

Virginia Regional Office:
2807 N. Parham Road, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23294
804-836-1750, Ext. 103 or (Toll Free) 1-866-348-3257
Fax: 804-836-1751
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx
www.alsinfo.org

Chapter Administrative Headquarters:
7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855
866-348-3257 toll free

Are you a Maryland resident? Be an ALS Advocate with your state
legislator this year. Join us at ALS Awareness Day in Annapolis, MD on
February 25. For details contact Christine Kirkley at
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx or (301) 978-9855 x 205.

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Coggiola,
Jennifer L.
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 11:16 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: using SGDs vs modifying computers

Hi eveyone,

My high-tech patients have been really frustrated these past 2 years
with their SGDs.  They are on Dynavox (V Max/EyeMax) or Tobii (P10,
C12/Ceye) devices.  Everyone's devices have broken at some point.  Most
have sent them in for repairs at least 2 times.  The SGD is not a fully
functioning computer, even when unlocked.  Patients have had problems
with software incompatability, device freezing related to RAM or
processor, not being able to watch online television/video due to
limited RAM, slow uploading/downloading of email related to SGD
company's server, etc.

I'm really re-thinking the idea of introducing these into peoples lives
vs keeping them on their computer as long as possible.  Maybe only
ordering the eyegaze systems as a last resort for my high tech patients,
and having them give EZKeys a really long trial if they have a switch
access point.  My biggest challenge with using computers instead of SGDs
is mounting.  Has anyone else experienced this?  Any success with
mounting computers?

Jen Coggiola, MA, CCC/SLP
Speech Pathologist
ALS Center at UCSF
400 Parnassus Ave., 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
(415) 353-2122 clinic phone
(415) 353-2524 clinic fax
(925) 323-0175 cell phone
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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