SARMA in Sri Lanka-Team12:FLEXAID

Created Date: 2025-02-21/ updated date: 2025-02-24
    Owner & Collaborators
    License
    SARMA in Sri Lanka-Team12:FLEXAID by FablabShinagawa, AvishkaVishwa, Sudesh-Prasanna, Hansajaye, Sithira, bimsara-gunawardana, RavinduMadushan is licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution license.
    Summary
    we are designing an assistive device to improve keyboard usability for Master Vonal Herath, a 10-year-old with cerebral palsy and Cerebral visual impairment (CVI). Due to his motor coordination challenges, he struggles with precise key presses while using the keyboard for academics. The goal is to develop a cost-effective solution to enhance his typing accuracy and communication skills.

    Materials

      Tools

        Blueprints

          Making

          • About the need Knower

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            Master Vonal Heath is a 10-year-old Grade 3 student with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and cerebral palsy (GMFCS Level III). These conditions make it challenging for him to complete daily tasks independently, especially activities that require precise hand control and visual focus.

            Comments

              • His Challenges in Communication

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                Master Vonal uses a specialized keyboard to type simple words for communication. However, he struggles due to:
                • Lack of persistent hand control 
                • Visual impairment – Cannot easily distinguish letters on a crowded keyboard.
                • He can't grasp words but easily recognizes letter sounds.

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                • His Interests & Strengths

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                  Despite his challenges, Master Vonal has strong cognitive abilities and enjoys learning through stories, pictures, and audio cues. He is also socially active, engaging well in teamwork and collaborating with his classmates.

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                • Needs

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                  Master Vonal Heath faces significant challenges in communication due to his limited hand mobility, lack of precise control, and visual impairments. He uses a specialized keyboard to type simple words,

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                    • Need knowers Necessitates

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                      1. Provides hand support to improve mobility and control.
                      2. Uses key blinders to limit visible keys and reduce visual distractions.
                      3. Moves along with his hand to assist in precise typing.
                      4. A need knower needs to have an audio-supported device to recognize a specific word.

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                    • Ideas and Sketches

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                      According to master Vonal Herath's challenges in communication we came up few solutions.

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                        • 1st idea

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                        • Our need knower has limited hand precision and prefers vertical movements, like sliding objects upward.
                        • We designed a sliding keyboard to suit this preference.
                        • However, his CVI condition makes it difficult to distinguish a single letter among multiple letters on the keyboard.

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                          • 2nd idea

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                          • Our initial concept was complex, as the need knower struggled to identify individual keys.
                          • We introduced a trackball system for letter selection.
                          • However, he found it difficult due to a lack of familiarity with the device.

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                            • 3rd idea

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                              3rd idea was accommodative device for his  keyboard. He has following issues,
                              Can't identify the keys in the keyboard, Can't press keys independently.
                              So we designed assistive device with following modifications, sliding armrest to move hand, Blinders to limit the surrounding key appearance.

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                            • Prototype

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                              with 3rd idea we move to prototyping. Our prototype consists of three main components:

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                                • The Arm-rest

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                                  An armrest is essential due to the effects of cerebral palsy on the need knower, which impact his motion control. He is unable to independently coordinate his arm across the keyboard. Therefore, the armrest serves as an assistive device, providing support for easier and more controlled movement.

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                                  • Rail for Arm-rest

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                                    We design and print a rail to move the armrest seamlessly. This serves as the structural base, providing guided back and fourth movement and stability. It ensures smooth and controlled hand motion, reducing unnecessary strain while allowing flexibility in positioning.

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                                    • Adjustable blinders

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                                      Blinders were used to cover unnecessary keys on the keyboard, allowing the user to focus only on the required letters. These blinders can later be adjusted based on the individual's visual complexity level.

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                                      • Final Design

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                                        Our final design combines the railing system, Arm-rest, and blinders into a complete assistive device. It provides hand stability, guided movement, and better key focus for easier keyboard use. This assembled prototype is ready for real-world testing and refinements.

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                                      • Future Prospects

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                                        Following improvements aim to enhance accessibility, usability, and overall user experience, making the assistive device more effective in real-world applications.

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                                          • Customizable Support

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                                            Developing adjustable blinders and hand rest options tailored to individual user needs, ensuring maximum comfort and efficiency.

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                                          References

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                                              Project comments

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