i-CREATe 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate the variation of stretch reflex threshold during pendulum movement in stroke patients, and to find the difference of variation corresponding to the severity of spasticity. We examined the angle and velocity thresholds of stretch reflex by using the pendulum test. We calculated trends in the onset times and time course of dynamic thresholds of angle and velocity within each individual using a linear regression. To investigate the relationship between the angle and velocity threshold, the correlation was calculated using linear regression. The angle threshold had increasing trend and the velocity threshold had decreasing trend in all subject. High level spastic patients might be weakened the stretch reflex adaptation function and the angle threshold increased slower than low level spastic patients. The dynamic angle and velocity thresholds had significant correlation, and the static stretch reflex threshold was significantly different between groups with different level of spasticity.

We studied the visual contribution to postural steadiness by recording the postural sway during turning with eyes open or eyes closed. The center of mass (COM) trajectory was recorded in 10 subjects mean aged 22.1 years (SD ± 2 years) turning on a flat surface or foam surface. The three postural dependent variables calculated were sway velocity and variability of COM displacements in the medial-lateral (M-L) and anterior-posterior (A-P) directions. Due to the increase of the variability of sway velocity, M-L and A-P directions with their own mean values, repeated measures ANOVA was applied to the data to investigate the presence differences. Significantly more variability was observed in sway direction than the visual for M-L body sway COM variability. Additionally, the sway direction revealed significantly greater M-L body sway COM variability than the eyes condition. No differences were observed between the sway velocities for any dependent variable. Therefore, the greatest COM variability was observed in the M-L body sway direction either spin turn on flat surface or foam surface. Further, an interesting relationship between the measures of COM variability and body sway velocity was described.

Scalp electric potential is due to the primary current density distribution that arises from neuronal post-synaptic processes. Estimation of the cartography of the electric potential in the scalp surface requires a solution to the EEG inverse problem, but, there is no unique solution to this problem. In this paper we present Weighted Minimum Norm "WMN", the Low Resolution brain Electromagnetic TomogrAphy "LORETA" and the WMN-LORETA methods. The purpose of this paper is to present the technical details of these methods, and give some comparison between them. The results demonstrate that using each method, we obtain different results given the reconstruction in 3D of the cerebral activity in the brain from where we evaluate the efficiency of the WMN-LORETA method compared to the good results given LORETA method.

Diaphragm pacing has been used for the last three decade to restore respiratory for patients with ventilator dependent such as tetraplegia, hypoventilation syndrome. Several stimulating sites have been proposed including intramuscular or epimysial electrodes placed on the diaphragm, nerve cuff electrode placed on the phrenic nerve at either the cervical or thoracic areas. The thoracic approach can fully activate the diaphragm; however, the electrode implantation requires an invasive thoracotomy. This study presents a nerve cuff electrode suitable for thoracoscopic implantation. The electrode can be held opened by a grasper device. Once the nerve is placed inside the opened electrode and the grasper is detached, the electrode can hold itself onto the nerve and does not require any other lock mechanism. The electrode was implanted successfully on phrenic nerve in two acute canine studies. Chronic animal experiments are underway to validate the safety of this electrode.

Modelling techniques for optimizing bubble detection tools in the Infrared band used in conjunction with a drug transport mechanism for the transport of intravenous fluids used in clinical practice have been evaluated qualitatively using simulation techniques. This clearly explains the merits and demerits of the system in real time conditions.

This study describes construction of a finite element model of the human spine that may be used to assist investigation of clinical problems by predicting its biomechanical behaviour. We describe a combination of online real-time FE simulation supported by an offline non-linear FEA solver. Haptic feedback is provided in the real-time simulation to enhance the human-computer interaction within the system. Approximate results of spinal deformation can be obtained from the haptic online FE simulator. The offline FEA solver provides more detailed deformation and strain/stress information using the primary simulation results from the online simulator.

This article presents an application of a digital signal processor for reducing a power line noise and detecting a swallow signal in surface electromyography (SEMG) from a dysphagic patient, a person who has difficulty in swallowing. The sampling rate at 1000 sample/s was used in SEMG data acquisition. Each sample was collected with 16-bit resolution. We use an adaptive linear neural network (ADALINE) filter and least mean square (LMS) algorithms to reduce power line noise. Parameters used for testing performance of the ADALINE adaptive filter are as follows: number of tapped delay line = 10, delay = 10 and learning rate = 0.0156. Results from the real-time implementation on TMS320VC5509A demonstrate that the system can successfully eliminate both 50-Hz power line noise and its odd harmonic components. In addition, the swallowing detection system based on the digital signal processor functions correctly. In other words, the trigger signal is appropriately generated for 1 second when the beginning point of swallowing signal is detected. When total number of swallows was 40, the system was able to detect 37 times of swallows correctly.

A spatial database is an essential part of a navigation system since it provides the necessary resources to perform navigation and routing functions, among others. While generally wheelchair navigation and car navigation overlap from the functional standpoint, databases for car navigation are not suitable for wheelchair navigation. One major difference between databases for car navigation and wheelchair navigation is that operations in car navigation are centered around road networks along with road segment attributes, whereas operations in wheelchair navigation are primarily centered around sidewalk networks along with unique parameters related to accessibility information about the surrounding environment. In this paper, we discuss the data (spatial and non-spatial) requirements and a database for wheelchair navigation. We also report our experience in constructing a spatial database of the University of Pittsburgh campus area for wheelchair navigation.

This study investigated characteristics of interface pressure distribution of right and left hemiplegia (rt_hemi and lt_hemi), paraplegia (para), quadriplegia (quadric), and normal subjects (normal) during wheelchair seating. A total of 73 subjects were participated in this study. Maximum interface pressure, mean interface pressure, and interface pressure gradient in the right and left sides of buttocks were measured for 30 minutes while minimizing possible movements of participants and using a same manual type wheelchair with a fabric seat. The ANOVA was performed using the data measured at the end of the test. There were substantial differences in the mean interface pressure on the buttocks between rt_hemi and lt_hemi. The maximum interface pressure on the buttocks was significantly high in hemi, para and quadric compared to normal. A statistically significant difference in the maximum interface pressure gradient on the buttocks as found between paralytic patients and normal people. Based on these results, a new approach for developing seat cushion orthosis to prevent decubitus ulcer is required for even distribution of interface pressure considering individual paralytic characteristics. In addition, the maximum interface pressure and gradient on the buttocks could be used as a useful clinical-biomechanical guideline in developing a seat cushion orthosis for preventing decubitus ulcer of paralytic patients.

The position of the vertical centre of mass of a wheelchair and occupant is important in relation to the stability and comfort of the wheelchair. This project aimed at improving the accuracy, safety and user-friendliness of the pendulum method of location the vertical centre of mass of a wheelchair and occupant. A rig was built to act as a simple pendulum and swing the wheelchair and occupant on a platform from angle less than 15°. The platform was also used to estimate the horizontal centre of mass. The rig was verified by testing the method on a steel cylinder with a known centre of mass. Using a motion timer, the time for one oscillation was recorded ten times for each test. The wheelchair and occupant were tested alone and with different front and back loads to observe the change in the position of the centre of gravity due to loading. The time recordings were very consistent and the result for the cylinder had an error of 1cm which could be minimised by using a timer correct to three decimal places rather than two. The platform and rig were improved by the additions of "legs" and adjustable stoppers. The results for the vertical centre of mass of the wheelchair and occupant showed that loading has a significant impact on the position of the centre of mass. Further improvements were suggested to ensure that the method is suitable for a clinical environment and testing of the method with a wheelchair dependent subject is needed to confirm that this is an agreeable method of location the vertical centre of mass.

University of Alaska Anchorage, WWAMI Biomedical Program, USA
When a person acquires severe mobility impairment, especially an injury leading to the use of a wheelchair, natural settings become very difficult to access. Many studies find that outdoor recreation for people with disabilities is an exceptionally positive step in rehabilitation; it improves self image, increases fitness, reduces obesity, and produces a more favorable impression of the disabled person by the able-bodied population (1, 3, 4, 6, and 10). Since conventional wheelchairs are of little use on rugged terrain, I developed the Kilikart* to enhance access to natural settings. The Kilikart is stable, durable, and permits able-bodied assistants to help power and stabilize the disabled rider. The device has been thoroughly tested and permits important new options for outdoor recreation and transport.

Despite important advances in workplace accommodations for wheelchair users in wealthy countries, most work environments around the world are still not suitable for wheelchair users. This is a serious problem especially in developing countries. Unfortunately, the inability to stand and move about precludes many disabled people from employment. To help solve this problem, the Stand-N-Go was developed for paraplegics who wish to move about, work or play, all while standing. The device has lower body support but operates and manoeuvres like a wheelchair. It adjusts to custom-fit users in order to prevent pressure points on bony prominences. The Stand-N-Go presents an important opportunity for wheelchair users to function in previously inaccessible environments. In some cases this device can make the home or workplace usable for a paraplegic without the need for expensive structural modifications. In addition, significant medical benefits result from standing upright in a weight bearing position. In spite of its sophistication, the Stand-N-Go could be manufactured at low cost in developing countries for domestic use and perhaps export.

This paper describes a control strategy to drive a wheelchair in a building environment by thought. The user selects the destination in a list of predefined locations of interest using a slow but safe P300 EEG interface. The robotic wheelchair navigates autonomously toward destination following virtual guiding paths. Along the way the user has the possibility to stop the movement using a fast mu-beta-rhythm BCI. Experiments demonstrate how healthy subjects can navigate safely in a home-like environment using this novel hybrid BCI.

Each culture and nation has its own tradition concerning work and employment. There are varying attitudes towards what is considered real work, namely an activity that contributes to societal improvement. There is an immediate need to explore different cultural definitions of employment and how these might relate to a concept of individual independence. For users of AAC, greater competence leads to a better chance of involvement and inclusion in society. A natural consequence is a desire to contribute and be rewarded. Without a voice, work choices become extremely limited. By contrasting the American and European experiences with the expectations of people with speech impairments living in Asia, insight can be gained into the true value of AAC implementation.

In this research, we realized an assistive system based on lips images recognition [1][2][3] for the communication of the disabled. This system is composed of the software system mainly and the auxiliary hardware system. In the software system, we developed a recognition algorithm for the open/close status of lips images, including the face detection, the face tracking, the lips pattern recognition, the lips locations and extraction, the lips images processing, etc., and developed a fuzzy algorithm to recognize long tone/silence or short tone/silence of Morse codes [4]. After the fuzzy recognition, the open/close statuses of lips images can be transferred to Morse codes to input the letters, achieving the functions of word processing. Regarding the hardware of the lips-control assistive communication system, we have primarily realized the remote control system for electrical home appliances. Once the system obtains information of open/close statuses of lips images after recognition, the original parallel port interface of general computer and RF module can be used to carry out further remote control functions of home appliances. In conclusion, we have completed an assistive communication system for the disabled without wearing any appurtenance. After finishing some word processing tests and home appliance control tests for the whole system, we believe that the new augmentative assistive communication system will be more helpful for the serious disabled especially with vertebra damaged. We hope our study can improve the communication abilities of the disabled and make some contributions to society.

Motivated from Microsoft Word which allows users to use their voice as shortcut to operate functions; this project has been developed based on open source. OpenOffice Writer [3] was chosen as open source word processor program because of the capability to integrate new feature into main program easily via plug-in. And Sphinx4 [2] project was selected as application programming interface (API) for capturing and processing sound. By combining OpenOffice Writer and Sphinx4, the open source word processor program which allow user to use their sound as shortcut to bring inaccessible functions closer to users was created.

The paper represents a method to develop an automatic speech recognition system for Thai oesophageal speaker. Using model adaptation approach, a speech recognition built by normal speech corpus is modified by oesophageal speech model based on Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). The aim of the paper is to improve the recognition rate of oesophageal speech using two different approach; model adaptation technique and three cepstral normalization technique. The experimental results show that the model adaptation technique can significantly improve the recognition rate of oesophageal speech from 12.6% up to 78.1%. Moreover, the recognition rate is raised up to 93.0% when a cepstral normalization technique (CMMN) is combined to the model adaptation.

The main objective of this research is to develop a portable speech enhancement device that would sequentially estimate clean speech and re-synthesis a more intelligible speech output for oesophageal speaker. To resolve a real time processing problem, we propose a noise reducing algorithm called Adaptive Line Enhancement (ALE) with bias model. The method simultaneously reduces noises both from environment (or external noises) and from his/her voice (or internal noises) such as breathing noise, oesophageal utterance noise. Incorporating a weighting coefficient bias into a conventional ALE filter, the filter has been proved empirically to perform better than the conventional one. In addition, the method can be applied without neither a laborious pre-training process nor a priori time consuming noise-power estimation.

This paper reviews present industrial-standard practice in hearing aid electroacoustic measurements, especially for quality assurance purposes, and discusses the future directions in advanced hearing aid measurements. Modern hearing aids possess non-linear digital signal processing (DSP) functions such as noise reduction or acoustic feedback cancellation, for which the present standard developed for the earlier analog-based generation may not be entirely appropriated. It is envisaged that the updated procedure could include features such as qualitative measurements on directionality, SNR and noise suppression.

Design of air-core inductive sensors in printed circuit board technology is presented. Comparative analysis with existing hand made inductive sensors is performed with respect to inductance, resistance, and sensitivity to activation when a soft ferromagnetic material is placed in the center of the sensor. Optimization is performed in a finite element model. This technology allows flexibility in design, automation of production and ease of possible integration with supplying electronics. The basic switch function of the inductive sensor can be extended to two-dimensional movement detection for pointing devices.

This paper deals with an alternative input method based on tiny muscle contractions for the use with a variety of target applications. The previously introduced Hands-free Mouse Control System (HaMCoS) is one example of a tool resulting from this input strategy. The system allows its user to completely operate a Windows(R) PC without the need to use the hands. Therefore, it can be very helpful for a person with a severe physical disability who is able to wilfully contract one single muscle (since that is all it takes). The same idea has been applied to a control system for an electrically powered wheelchair. Both systems focus on a similar target population. The paper briefly describes how the muscle-based input signals are detected and how they are processed in the two control applications. As a third application, an environment control system - again primarily targeting people with special needs - is finally proposed. The graphical user interface (GUI) and the basic structure of the proposed tool are presented in thorough detail. Possible implications considering this input method for non-disabled users are also addressed.

This paper describes the work that has been carried out so far to establish viable, practical, low equipment and low computation cost system of a wider Electroencephalogram-Surface Electromyograms (EEG-SEMG) based control system for disabled users. The system consists of the user required to perform mental tasks for our system to achieve 4 states of switching which is picked up through the EEG sensors. The system will then use this as a trigger in order to help the disabled user operate everyday equipment (e.g. electrical appliances, operate wheel chair, or personal computer). The system is designed to be compact and low cost as it is intended that the system can be worn on the patient or carried around in the wheelchair. The setup of the equipment, the process of the experiments, the types of mental tasks that the user will be required to perform, signal processing and corresponding trigger output commands that are generated will be described.

On reviewing products and literature in recent UE rehabilitation engineering research, one finds significant differences in the directions that rehabilitation engineering is adopting and that which clinical practice is advocating. Combining a study of current practices in robotic device development for the hand(9-19), clinical practice for stroke(1, 8), biological mechanisms and natural movement(32,33), an attempt has been made to re-align the thinking on UE Orthosis development. In this paper we propose new directions which have been adopted by us to bridge this gap, with respect to UE Orthosis. Preliminary study with some of these often neglected design considerations are then presented as a low cost, versatile, and simple option that may help to keep the patient motivated to continue UE therapy. Three new directions discussed in this paper are: 1. Making robotic therapy more "collaborative" by encouraging more HMHI (Human Machine Human Interaction) rather than just HMI (Human Machine Interface). 2. Using other biological positions during UE motor re-learning rather than only sitting. 3. Giving patients a menu of triggers to choose from and adapt, rather than single or fixed triggers. Results of preliminary experiments have been enumerated.

There are many u-health applications and smart home technologies for a secure, easily applied, low-cost method to identify individuals for security and medical reasons. However, some biometric systems may not applicable on disability population when people lost their hands, eyes, and voice. Personalization is also an essential issue for u-health application as well because it can adapt users' behaviors, profiles, and certain patterns. The benefits of a personalized embedded system not only potentially reduce complexities on medical devices, but also adapt end-user conventionality daily. Once u-health devices are applied on multiple users or people with disability, an automatic personalization system becomes more essential. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is not only a very useful diagnostic tool for clinical purposes, but also as a new biometric tool for human identification. Best of all, it can be applied on disability population. The ECG biometrics can easily be combined with other biometrics to provide an extra liveness test with little additional cost. A total of 168 normal, healthy individuals were investigated for identification as a predetermined group. Fifty persons were randomly selected from this ECG biometric database as the development dataset. Then, the identification algorithm developed from this group was tested on the entire database. In this research, two algorithms were evaluated for ECG identification during system development. There are the template matching with LDA neural network model and the fast real-time ECG identification method. The first algorithm provided the identification rate up to 100% accuracy on the development dataset. Then, the identification rate was 95.3% (160 out of 168 persons) when test database with 168 subjects was applied. The second algorithm reduced processing time, and it is suitable for portable medical devices. However, the accuracy rate is also decreased to 89.28%. Hence, Lead-I ECG signals are identify as a valuable biometric for disability population, which can be recommended for future biometric systems used for human identification, personalization, and liveness testing.

Today's Information Technology supports varieties of e-commerce, in particular on-demand services such as news, message, seminar and presentation speech to message, and 3DGIS-MAP. Each service can have value-added by embedding other hidden-service within the main service, hence promoting value-added to the service. The value-added services are accomplished by using the technique of Multiple Keys and Messages Embedding (MKME), which hidden-contents can be retrieved only by applying the correct corresponding decryption keys This paper presents the design and algorithm for multiple keys and messages embedding on 3DGIS-MAP, based on Steganography concept. The quality of the resulting product was also investigated.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the angular rate during motor examination of Parkinson's disease patients, as a quantitative measure of the severity. 14 Parkinson's disease patients, 36 healthy elderly subjects and 13 healthy young subjects participated in the experiments. Three different movements selected from the motor examination category of UPDRS i.e. Finger Taps, Rapid Alternating Movements of Hands and Leg Agility test were performed. Frequency and peak angular velocity of swing were derived from the experimental angular rate. Both the frequency and peak velocity showed negative correlation with the clinical score. This suggests that the angular rate can be used for a quantitative measurement of severity in Motor Examination.

This paper focuses on a complete four sets of acoustic speech analysis, i.e., fundamental analysis, consonant analysis, vowel analysis, and tone analysis, to study the acoustic characteristics of Thai Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The effect of disease state or PD state to speech characteristic of PD patients is also investigated. The PD states consist of two levels, i.e., early state and advance state. The results indicate that PD affects patients in term of duration, stability in intensity, stability in consonant time, frequency variability, and tone shape. All patients in early state have better above parameters than those in advance state. Thus it can imply that stability is the large problem for PD patient and the increasing of PD state causes more affect on their speech. This study can be applied for speech assessment or be used for supporting speech training process in the future.

Improvement in quality of life is an important factor to consider when evaluating the efficacy of different types of prosthetic feet. A recently designed prosthesis evaluation questionnaire (PEQ) may be useful in assessing foottype differences. However, no research has been done to substantiate this conjecture. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate foottype differences in quality of life on two energy-storing prosthetic feet, the Flex-Foot (FF) and the Otto Bock 1C40 C-Walk (C-Walk), and a conventional static foot, the Solid Ankle Cushion Heel (SACH), by using two questionnaires, the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the PEQ. SUBJECTS: Eight males with unilateral transtibial amputation participated in this study. METHODS: A preliminary session and three test sessions following one-month acclimation periods with each foottype were required. During each test session, subjects responded to the PEQ and the SF-36 based on their personal use with the specific test prosthetic foot. The scores for each scale of the SF-36 and the PEQ were calculated according to the Manual and Interpretation Guide of the SF-36 Health Survey, and the Guide for the Use of the PEQ, respectively. ANALYSIS: The group means and standard deviations for each scale of the SF-36 and the PEQ for subjects with the C-Walk, the FF, and the SACH were calculated. One-way ANOVA was employed to analyze foottype differences. RESULTS: Generally, the FF and the C-Walk appeared to have better scores compared to the SACH for each scale of the SF-36. However, no significant foottype differences were found. The PEQ showed similar results, however, significant foottype differences were found for the Frustration (FR) and the Usefulness (UF) scales. For the FR, the FF got significantly better scores than the SACH. For the UF, the C-Walk and the FF got significantly better scores than the SACH. CONCLUSION: The SF-36 appeared to be less discriminating than the PEQ for evaluating prosthesis-related quality of life. Based on the significant foottype differences seen on the PEQ scales, the results suggested that the subjects were more comfortable during standing and walking with the FF and the C-Walk, compared to the SACH.

Recently, several kinds of rehabilitation devices are designed and applied. These devices can be used both in training and measuring. Together with other technologies, like motion capture system, surface EMG system, rehabilitation devices have a great potential in offering automatic assessment. In this article, after analyzing each item in the Fugl-Meyer assessment score sheet, a plan of automatic Fugl-Meyer assessment has been discussed. As a conclusion, it is feasible to use these rehabilitation devices to shift the traditional Fugl-Meyer assessment to automatic assessment.

Finger extension and coordination are two of the impaired hand functions stroke survivors most desire to recover. We have developed a robotic interface, the HandCARE, to train these functions. The system consists of a Cable-Actuated Rehabilitation (CARE) system in which each finger is attached to an instrumented cable loop allowing force control and a predominantly linear displacement. The interface can assist the subject in opening and closing movements and can be adapted to accommodate various hand sizes and finger shapes. Exercises have been implemented using a motivating approach promoting recovery of specific hand functions. To evaluate the training of finger coordination, a post stroke subject practiced for 20 minutes twice a week during six weeks with the HandCARE. The results show significant improvements in finger coordination as well as in movement pattern, i.e. less sub movements during hand opening.

Pro.Blance is the commercialized version of an intelligent balance trainer co-invented by the Nanyang Technological University and Singapore General Hospital. This paper presents a study on the effectiveness of Pro.BlanceTM for rehabilitation of people with poor ankle stability and or prior ankle injuries. A group of subjects are recruited. The subjects are randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups undergo the same balancing training protocol for six sessions, with Group 1 using a conventional inflated rubber cushion and Group 2 using the Pro.BlanceTM. Balancing assessments taken pre and post the training regime have shown significant improvements in the ankle stability for both groups of subjects. At the end of 6 training sessions, some of the subjects are given a chance to sample the other training method. A survey is also conducted to compare the interested generated in both systems. Analysis of the survey shows that this integrated balance trainer not only fulfils its traditionally defined task of strengthening subjects' ankle stability, but also makes them more focus and diligent in the training.

This paper presents the results for two single-subject experiments that were designed to obtain: (1) what sorts of objects, spatial and environmental features blind individuals search; and (2) how they utilise them during the travel. We investigate travel behavior for designing vocal guide messages for the blind during the travel. We further discuss issues to be considered thoroughly for designing effective messages. The massages should cope with the variation in travel strategies depending on both orientation and mobility (O&M) skills, and familiarity of the area where they travel.

Internationally, 1 person out of 12 persons has color vision deficiency, or "color blindness", as it is commonly called. While the ratio of graphic information in digital contents is continuing to increase dramatically, assistive tools for color vision deficiencies remain scarce. In this study, we developed a method to generate customized ICC profiles for patients suffering from various degrees or types of color vision deficiency, which could adjust graphic contents according to individual needs. Compensation rules for the pale or dark range of red and green colors were established, and an ICC profile was generated using this set of rules. The passing rate for Ishihara test was 99% when the generated profile was applied to 10 Ishihara plates and tested on individuals suffering from red deficiency, and green deficiency (2, and 8 participants, respectively). The time used to generate the compensation profile was 13.7 min on average, including the time taken to explain the test to the participants, and reliable results were achieved with relatively low amounts of labor and without the need for expensive instruments, compared to methods currently utilized in professional clinics.

This paper proposes a Braille music score management environment. Firstly, we outline the recent situation of Braille music scores and introduce related studies. Next, we discuss requirements for such system, and highlight important view points. Then, we explain the Braille music score management environment system and the interaction between our system and the automatic Braille transcribe system. Finally, we show some window captures of a sample session. By our system, it will be possible to provide Braille music scores via the Internet to the visually impaired and to manage Braille music scores by the volunteer transcribers more easily.

An important part of helping blind students in their education is to have text books and reading materials available in accessible format. Braille is one format that is used and is considered essential reading and writing technique for the blind. In order to produce Braille materials quickly, Braille translation software that converts files from print to Braille has been used widely for English and many other languages throughout the world. For the past ten years, material production staff and blind students in Thailand have been using TBT software (Thai Braille Translation) for their Braille production needs. Bringing our Braille translator development experience to another level, the research team at Ratchasuda College of Mahidol University and other important partners began software development work on yet another Braille translator called RS BRAILLE (Ratchasuda Braille). This is comprehensive translation software that converts Thai, English, math, science, and music from print to Braille. Using simple text-based method of typing math/science symbols or musical notes in either Thai or English document, RS Braille can produce literary Braille in Thai and English (in grade 1 or grade 2 with contractions) with several formatting controls. Depending on the materials, standard Braille music or standard math/science NEMETH Braille codes will be incorporated in the Braille output.

Individuals with visual impairment have lost the most important perceptive sensory ability in our visually dominated world. To improve their everyday life, assistive technology (AT) for individuals with visual impairment has attracted increasing attention from researchers. Navigation systems for the visually impaired (NSVI) and sensory substitution have been two active research topics. This paper presents a comprehensive survey on the development of NSVI technology in the last five years. Two sensory substitution mechanisms, which have been generally applied in NSVI, are discussed. Three navigation methodologies are presented, namely, positioning system-based, RFID tag-based, and vision-based methods, respectively. A research proposal is presented.

The visual disability person Accessible Shopping System aims to make shopping simpler for the visually disability population by giving these shoppers directions to the products on their shopping. Additionally, the system will help ensure that the right products are indeed purchased by providing the necessary functionality to scan and identify the products that the shoppers pick up at the shelf. The system will make use of Text-To-Speech primary output vehicle. Guidance system aims for cost-effective, assistive technologies to provide visual disability person with a greater degree of independence in their daily activities. The overall objective is to improve the quality of life for the visual disability person by harnessing the collective capability of diverse networked embedded devices to support grocery shopping, transportation, etc. This paper describes our research and development of the guidance system, a RFID Tag-based solution comprising components, such as a Pocket PC, Text-To-Speech software and a RFID.

Technology is for improvement, The application of technology is acknowledge in every aspect of life and field. In disability sector is one area where technology need to be seriously introduced for the development of education of the visually challenged children. We have taken the advantage of technology in developments that lead us design and development of educational device for challenged children. This project is on development of a new device for the visually challenged children. This was developed with view to make visually challenged children to see through their fingers even complicated sketches as well draft a sketch at his own using sketching and Braille slate. The educators can prepare tactile sketches in the class room situation and also the details (text) of the sketch can be written in Braille. This was developed by us and we used nylon net on the Braille slate for the purpose. This is meant for preparation tactile diagram or free hand sketching of the subjects that are required explanation through sketches. This device was experimented with educators and visually challenged children that has given positive. This new tool was tested on 50 visually challenged children with help of special educators out of that 36 visually challenged children accepted it expressed that is very useful and 10 expressed satisfactory and 4 of them which acknowledged its utility is limited. The results on the device are encouraging and motivated. This has given great impact on visually challenged children education.

Hypertonia is one of the major causes of movement disorder in individuals with central nerve system lesion. The cause of hypertonia can be divided into two components, reflexive and non reflexive. The purpose of this study was to design a stiffness treating device utilizing concepts of reducing both reflexive and non-reflexive muscle tone. A custom-made stiffness treating device was developed which oscillated the ankle at various speed from 0 to 3.7 cycles/sec. A force transducer was mounted to measure the real-time total oscillation resistance. Ten individuals with spinal cord injury at levels above T10 participated. Each subject received 8 minutes of repeated contractions elicited by electrical stimulation, oscillation at low speed (1.5 cycles/sec), and oscillation at high speed (3.7 cycles/sec) at 3 consecutive weeks. Maximum electrical stimulation elicited isometric force, M waves, H reflex, and total oscillation resistance were measured before, and at 10 and 20 minutes after the interventions. The results demonstrated a significant fatigue after 8 minutes of repeated contractions. The M waves were not significantly altered after any of the three interventions. The size of H reflex reduced after oscillations at both speeds but not after repeated electrical stimulated isometric contractions. The effects of three interventions on the total oscillation resistance were varied. This study successfully developed a stiffness treatment device which is effective in both the reflexive and non-reflexive components. This stiffness treatment device is not only able to evaluate stiffness but also potentially applicable for rehabilitation purposes. Related mechanisms are discussed.

In this paper, a model-based nonlinear feedback controller for the ankle joint of a novel motorized orthosis is presented. Powered by artificial pneumatic muscles, this orthosis is designated to work on the lower limbs of patients with neurological disorders. The controller scheme draws inspiration from the innate control strategies of human motor control and is based on model descriptions of the mechanical system, the pneumatical system together with the artificial muscles. The feedback, which includes the inverse models of the mechanical setup and the pneumatic muscles, is used along with the obtained sensor signals to calculate the mass of the moved body. With this obtained pseudo-mass, regular models adulterated by occurring disturbances can be corrected and the required inner air pressures of the artificial muscles for realization of a given trajectory can be calculated. The use of a nonlinear pressure controller derived by back stepping combined with an inverse valve model of the proportional-valves leads to a stabilization of the desired pressures in the muscles and the ability to track the given trajectory.

This paper focuses on the development of a portable Intelligent Physiotherapy system using both hardware (CompactRIO) and software (LabVIEW) from National Instruments. As this system makes use of computer control and programming, it is able to provide a higher level of safety, intelligence, convenience, customisation, and portability and enhanced human-equipment interaction compared to many existing physiotherapy equipment such as gym machines and weights. It is also able to provide objective feedback of the physiotherapy patient's routine; this can lead to more effective treatments as the physiotherapist can make use of the feedback in additional to his professional judgment when analysing the patient's condition. An objective test on the ability of the patient to carry out his routine may also be useful to insurance companies in evaluating the extent of the injury suffered by the patient. Outside the realm of medical treatment, the versatility of the Intelligent Physiotherapy system also makes it ideal as an exercise machine for athletes who want to keep track of their training progresses.

Micro-processor controlled artificial leg, most of which are above-knee prosthesis(AKP) can better adapt to the human gait and walking modes, automatically distinguishing road conditions and coordinate the symmetry of prosthesis speed with healthy leg. Due to the complexity and non-linearity of AKP control model, it is required to design a kind of controller being intelligent enough for it. Research and products development of micro-processor controlled AKP is comprehensively discussed in the paper, The expert controller based on finite-state machine method and BP neural network controller based on PD supervision are especially analyzed. The main intelligent control methods applied for existing AKP products are also compared with each other here. The development of intelligent control technology in future is pointed out.

Virtual Reality (VR) therapy has been successful in various areas of applications. Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology which shares some characteristics with VR. Due to its advantages with respect to VR, it has been used in the field of therapy recently. In this paper, a literature view on the current studies of VR therapy and AR therapy is presented. VR, AR and conventional therapies are compared. Based on the literature review, an AR system is proposed for the rehabilitation of hand movements which have been impaired due to illness or accident. Through the proposed system, the patient can practice daily at home with a standard computer and webcam. Using the AR technology, a highly controllable environment with tasks of different difficulty levels is provided to the patients for them to perform the exercise gradually and systematically.

This paper presents the results of a preliminary study with two chronic post-stroke subjects using the Haptic Knob, a robotic interface for the rehabilitation of hand function. The robot has two degrees of freedom and adjustable knobs fixed at the output to train grasping/pinching in combination with pronation/supination of the forearm. Game-like exercises have been implemented to promote training of movements used in fundamental activities of daily living (ADL) using suitable dynamic loads and visual feedback. Accurate twisting movements in pronation/supination were trained twice a week for 15 minutes. An increase in the precision of movement was observed with both subjects, and a reduction in the movement duration. The subjects also reported an improvement in performing ADLs.

The objective of Innovative Platform for Tele-Physiotherapy (IPTP) is to achieve a breakthrough in tele-physiotherapy for elderly patients. "IPTP" is the working name we use in this paper to denote the whole ICT solution that the project provides to support patients and possibly also their primary caregivers. Considering the shortage of prior work in the literature in the area of evaluation based usability of user-centred research projects; this paper describes the objectives and the approach of the evaluation of IPTP. The evaluation approach outlined in this paper will be used to evaluate different field trials at different user sites including patients' homes, and also in the overall project evaluation. This paper proposes a model evaluation strategy. While this model is designed for IPTP, it can be extended to similar research projects relating to the healthcare domain.

In order to avoid confusions in discussions on assistive products basic concepts of assistive products is discussed, together with terminology and definitions. This paper presents a dualistic approach for assistive products.

This paper explores the possibility of new ways of working for isolated or remote workers who provide community care services to people who are ageing or disabled living in the community. It argues that the mode and use of technology in this case mobile phones, must be consistent with the values and norms of the workers. In particular, the authors argue that social capital theoretical framework is useful tool for understanding and determining the nature and values of community care workers, in this instance allied health care workers. Importantly the paper argues that the traditional PC centric view in ICT and community care in Australia and other developed countries is both incompatible and inconsistent with the workers needs and values, and that new forms of ICT need to be explored, in this case mobile phones. This paper strongly argues that workers generally have the capacity to resolve issues themselves, however, with out appropriate organisation of information no knowledge can be transferred or made explicit. The authors believe that such development will enhance service delivery to people who are ageing and disabled and ensure improved outcomes for both service users and funders.

In developing countries lack of over-the-road transportation, reduces a vast number of disabled people to a life of begging, dependency, and social isolation. Although there have been some excellent efforts to provide low-cost wheelchairs and hand-powered tricycles, little has been done to further provide transport for disabled people. To address this problem directly we have devised a low-cost motorized wheelchair transporter (the Skeeter) using a combination of bicycle parts, a custom built frame, and an inexpensive small engine for propulsion. This device has the potential to provide a major enhancement in the quality of life for disabled people around the world.

This article discuss about the importance of community services and social work in the lives of PWDs. It elaborates on areas where community services and social work should be focused on to effectively reach out to the PWDs.

This paper presents a framework of intelligent disability services built upon deployed Wi-Fi networks. The framework utilizes the availability of Wi-Fi hotspots in many office buildings and public areas to establish ubiquitous computing environment. Context and service delivery via wireless communication are addressed as an approach for assisting persons with physical retardation. Then, we discuss a framework setting which should facilitate the adoption in both public and private organizations. Finally, a proof-of-concept scenario is developing based on Linux-based Wi-Fi routers and a Wi-Fi mobile phone.

This paper begins to "breach the assistive technology divide between east and west" by describing the assistive technology that is being used in Thailand. In particular this paper focuses on the assistive technology being used in services and institutions managed by the Thailand Department of Social Development and Welfare. Examples of assistive technological solutions used by the Foundation for Children with Disabilities (FCD) a non government organization supporting children living with disabilities, will also be described. Background to this paper and the Assistive Technology being used in Thailand Through the support of AusAid Public Sector Linkages Program grant, the South Department for Families and Communities (DFC) has been working with the Thailand Department of Social Department and Welfare (DSDW) to assist them with their deinstitutionalization program. The assistance provided by the SA Department for Families and Communities has included showing the way South Australia has developed its disability and aged care services to the 13 Thai delegates from the Thailand Department of Community Development and Welfare who visited South Australia in August 2007. The policy frameworks which have assisted South Australia with its de-institutionalisation program have been shared. The 13 Thai delegates visited a number of South Australian disability and aged care services so that they could see first hand, the way services are provided in South Australia. The Thai delegates also experienced the day-to-day workings of South Australian agencies through brief work placements. A team of four staff from the Department for Families and Communities subsequently travelled to Thailand in November 2007 and provided training to over 80 service providers, mainly social workers from the Thailand Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW). There was a small group of physical therapists who were involved with this training and this paper has relied on their input. This paper concludes that there is a need for culturally and socially appropriate assistive technology in Thailand. This paper suggests that this will be achieved with the guidance and expertise of overseas Rehabilitation Engineers and physical therapists working in collaboration with physical therapists, Rehabilitation Engineers and Service Development Managers from the Thailand Department of Community Development and Welfare (DSDW). The paper suggests that local materials and local manufacturers should be invited to assist with this development of assistive technology in Thailand and that culturally appropriate funding and support programs be developed to ensure that assistive technology is affordable for average families in Thailand.

In this age of Information and Communications Technology, access to information is a Fundamental human right and most significant driving force of modern development. Due to the innovation in ICT, everyone can benefit irrespective of distance, national and international boundaries. Access to appropriate technology creates adequate opportunity for each individual which is even more relevant and necessary to the Persons with Disabilities for their overall development and employment that opens door for their equality, non-discrimination and participation. ICT has changed the lives of many worldwide; it should also be used for the social inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in developing countries too. In Nepal, which has remote regions that faces many barriers to all, situation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is more exhausting, therefore ICT can act as a major component for the Social Inclusion process. It can help in the equitable participation of the PWDs to access education and income generation, political representation, and social involvement empowering them using ICT based assistive technologies, available computer software and necessary ICT based trainings.

In this paper, we propose a classification method for Japanese Sign Language (JSL) words. The aim of the study is giving certain practical and effective description method for building the tool for manipulating JSL words over computers. We first describe basic idea of our approach to the description method. We then show JSL word classification method that uses a set of description parameters presented. The classification results are also shown when the parameters are applied to 2,454 JSL words.

To assist the deaf in viewing TV programs with sign images, a TV set top box capable of expanding sign images is developed. Its internal architecture mainly consists of video decoder/encoder, 256Kbytes of video memories, an infrared receiver and an FPGA based video processing unit. The FPGA implements an image expander, an I2C interface plus other control logic. The image expander uses a fixed 2x2 bilinear interpolation coupled with a nearest neighborhood input selection to allow 9 image scaling factors ranging from 1x1 to 2x2. The sign image that can be expanded is of the maximum size of 128x128 pixels or approximately 1/25 of the entire TV screen.

In this paper, we developed the telecommunication system via internet network for Thai sign language video [11], which is point to point communication and allocated low bit rate. The purpose is deaf people can be able to communicate between long distance areas and can be applied to E-Learning application. Because of insufficient instructor that can communicate with deaf student. The Tele-conference could be better solution which is useful for human resource development. Overall of system, there are three main diagrams of this system which comprise of Transmitter user, Receiver user and Video server. This algorithm serves Thai Sign Language video that includes the system which is skin-color detection model. The model divided into two levels from pixel value such as skin, and background (non skin). The result of detection model is brought in the part of video coding which makes difference coding level. Then, overall system is developed to support low bit rate communication in order to utilize bandwidth of channel and rising efficiently of sign language video communication. Advantages of this system are truly on practicality, low cost implementation and application developer (JMF) [12] which can extend another diagram in the future.

The Virtual Music Instrument (VMI) is an innovative software program that uses movement recognition technology to convert movements into musical sounds. Essentially, it is an Augmented Reality (AR) tool that allows movements to be translated into music, allowing anyone to play a musical note or a whole song with their head, hand or other body-part. In this paper we present the preliminary results and observations of an on-going trial of the VMI system with 8 children with multiple disabilities within a special school environment.

As e-learning becomes increasingly popular in learning, it is necessary to evaluate students' perceptions on e-learning systems to enhance the quality of the systems. This paper describes a survey on a group of 451 students from a local university using edveNTUre, a proprietary e-learning system powered by Blackboard. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study aimed to investigate the factors leading to perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioural intention to use the e-learning system. This paper concludes with a discussion on the interaction design of e-learning systems from students' perspectives.

Students with physical challenges in mainstream education have various degrees of difficulty when using geometrical instruments at different levels of education. Rehabilitation professionals often states that there are limited modified geometrical instruments available for students with physical challenges and often these equipments are foreign products and are costly, customized, many a time shipment is delayed and not available everywhere.

This study looks at the implications and changes effected with the introduction of IBM's KidSmart programme into the Learning Support Programme (LSP) in 6 Singapore primary schools. It focuses how the teaching methodologies embraced by teachers working with slow learners (or learners at risk) changed with the integration of IT into the classroom. Findings indicated that while all teachers interviewed used IT actively with their learners as a support learning tool, there were still some areas that could be improved to help teachers tap more effectively on the affordances of IT.

Despite the growth of Internet, Internet adoption rate among the elderly in Singapore is still low, especially among the senior citizens. As part of a bigger study, this paper describes a follow-up study to find out the Web-based information needs of Chinese senior citizens in Singapore. It examines the Web-based services used by the elderly; investigates their perception of the Web and study their willingness and/or reluctance to adopt the technology. This study shows that the elderly have a positive perception towards Internet use. However, physical health and well-being and usability issues are seen as potential barriers to the use of Web. This paper concludes with a discussion on the aged, information technology and the Web.

In this study, we developed the automatic human movement classification system for the elderly using only single waist-mounted tri-axial accelerometer. The system can distinguish several activities such as fall, walking, running, standing, lying and sitting and transition between each movement in real-time. To evaluate proposed algorithm which utilizes the acceleration and tilt information from the sensor module, experiments were performed on ten healthy subjects with several activities such as falls, walking, running, sit to stand, stand to sit, stand to lie, lie to stand, etc. The successful human movement detection rate of the system was 96.1%. For further improvement of the system, it is necessary to include more detailed classification algorithm to distinguish several daily activities and to carry out actual experiments with the elderly.

Due to the rapid aging of the Dutch population, an increasing demand for adaptable houses is to be expected. The Construction sector can help to improve the senior's level of being independent by developing new types of dwellings. The supply-led market will shift to a demand-orientated market. Home automation gained a lot of interest during the end of the 20th and the beginning of 21st century. Nowadays, discussion concerning the question whether the phenomenon home automation belongs to the architectural field (or not) takes place in the construction industry. Some professionals and architects think automation is concerned with additions to a house which the architect does not need to interfere with. Obviously, a house must offer the performance as required by the inhabitant. That means not only a suitable, safe, comfortable place to live healthy and independently but also the possibility to identify oneself with the house. Home automation can enhance the seniors' level of independence, security and comfort, both physically and mentally. In contrast, too much automation of actions, formerly performed by the senior, is undesirable. Close examination of the senior's needs must be the basic of applying home automation in a proper way. One must be careful of the possible side-effects. A balance must be found between the activities performed by the people themselves and by the technology. Applications of home automation need to be a synthesis of the user, technology, healthcare, the house and its surroundings. The aim of this research is quality enhancement of housing of the independently living older citizen by means of the integration of home automation in the architectural design. This integration can be achieved by combining of technology, dwelling and the user.

Singapore, like many developed countries, is facing an aging population. By 2030, the number of dependents would have increased considerably. In order to provide quality of elderly care by then, care givers must start using technologies to assist them. This paper aims to present current perception of the elderly on portable medical home monitoring devices and systems. Design considerations would be discussed for such a system.

Emerging technologies, even if they were not originally designed to be accessible for people having special needs, can often be adapted and integrated into the user's environment (defined as Assistive environment) to increase a dependant person's functioning in today's increasingly technology-mediated world. The objective of this paper is to focus mainly on our research work, which consists on providing a logic-based approach for context reasoning, integrating real daily living tasks, to provide end-users with most suitable accessible services within their environments. To achieve this goal, we have implemented a software architecture based on existing context aware frameworks and toolkits and focused on a reasoning algorithm applied to assistive environment. We provide original context modelling and reasoning taking into account the constraints imposed by the application area in the field of assistive technologies.

We propose a local positioning system that tracks human's movement. The system uses two 3-axis accelerometers mounted at the human's feet to detect steps. An electronic compass is used to obtain an absolute heading. Both step and heading data are combined to plot a movement trajectory on a building floor map based on the dead reckoning method. The system is tested by tracking a closed-loop walking trajectory: starting from a room, walking to another room about 20 meters away, and walk back to the starting point in the first room. The result shows about 2 meters accumulated error from the starting point.