Chapter 25

Physical Disabilities And Computing Technologies: An Analysis of Impairments

Andrew Sears
UMBC

Mark Young
Maryland Rehabilitation Center

 

Outline

Introduction

Defining Impairment

Physical Impairments and Computing

Health-Condition-Induced Impairments

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Arthritis

Brain Injury

Cerebral Palsy

Missing Limbs or Digits (Amelia or Amputation)

Multiple Sclerosis

Muscular Dystrophy

Parkinson's Disease

Repetitive Stress Injury

Stroke

Spinal Cord Injury

Tremors

Summary

Situationally-Induced Impairments and Disabilities

HCI Research and PI

Spinal Cord Injuries

Cerebral Palsy

Impairments of the Hands and Arms

Impairments in Infants

Significant Speech and Physical Impairments (SSPI)

Input Using Electrophysiological Data

Cursor-Control Technologies

Text Entry Technologies

Conclusions

PI Does Not Imply Disability

PIs Affect Cognitive, Perceptual, and Motor Activities

Basic Actions Can Be Difficult

Standardized Descriptions of Health Conditions and PIs

Future Directions

Acknowledgements

References

 

Figures

Figure 25.1: Model illustrating the relationship between health conditions, disabilities, impairments, handicaps, and contextual factors.