I have to agree with Antoinette.  There's not one eye-gaze system that seems to work for every patient.  To conduct the best evaluation we would all need a demo model of each system.  Most of my patients are using either Tobii or ERICA but that is largely due to the fact that I have more regional support for and access to these systems.

Have you talked to Keith Jackson at EyeTech?  They were able to let us borrow a system for independent evaluation last year.

Amy Wright, MCD, CCC-SLP
Speech Therapy Coordinator
(704) 355-0867

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Antoinette Verdone
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 11:00 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Assistive Technology] comparing eye gaze systems

In my limited observations, different patients have chosen different
eyegaze systems for different reasons.

So, I don't think that you are going to find one system that "performs"
better than others.  It is just what works for that particular patient.
That is why it is important for patients to be given the opportunity to
try out different systems (for a period of time) before making this
important decision.

I have a hard time understanding these eye gaze vendors who do not want
to loan out systems.  I understand that they have to be selective, but
if you want someone to buy a $10,000+ device, you have to give them the
opportunity to try it out!  It is not just about money.  If a person
with ALS makes a quick decision based on a five minute eval, and then it
does not work in real life - they are stuck!  (THIS DOES HAPPEN!!!)

We are now living in a world with multiple eye gaze systems that all
have pros and cons that should be weighed for each situation.

Also, systems have different software options that could also be the
deciding factor, not strictly eye gaze performance.

Another often overlooked aspect of this is service.  If a certain eye
gaze system has no support in your local area, then I don't know that it
should ever be recommended for purchase.

In my humble opinion, I don't know if purchasing a system is the best
route - why don't we make the vendors work for their commissions!

Ok, I am getting off my soapbox now.

Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP
Assistive Technology Specialist
The ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter
116 John Street, Suite 1304
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212-720-3054
Fax: 212-619-7409
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx
www.als-ny.org

"One cannot consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar"  -- Helen
Keller
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Hill, Katharine
J
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 9:48 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Assistive Technology] comparing eye gaze systems

Our rehab clinic is exploring purchasing an eye gaze system.  We have
several vendors demonstrating product.  However, you may have
experienced that vendors are reluctant to leave a system for staff to
try out independently.  As a training institution we have several
students who would be able to test out a system to give us good data to
make comparisons. Have any of you been successful with having an eye
gaze system left for you try and evaluate independently? When one system
was borrowed from an AT lending library a few months back, staff had
trouble with calibration of the system.

I know we would be very grateful if clinicians on the list would provide
us with any performance data that has been collected to compare eye gaze
technologies, especially selection rates and under what conditions these
rates were achieved.  Also, what are the other criteria you're using to
evaluate and compare eye gaze control interfaces as well as personal
observations on performance and user-satisfaction.

Thanks for any input that may help our clinic in making the most
informed choice.

Great news about the ALS funding!!!

Katya

Katya Hill, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Associate Professor
Communication Science and Disorders
6017 Forbes Tower
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
Tel: 412-383-6659
Fax: 412-383-6555
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxx

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