Tecla-e
Do you or your child use a switch to communicate or interact with your environment?
Consider participating in a research study evaluating a wireless interface for environmental and smart-device control.
What is this study about?
We are collaborating with a company called Komodo OpenLab to do a pre-market evaluation of their device called the Tecla-e. Tecla-e is a cloud-connected assistive device that provides users with control of their smart-devices and environment. It can control up to 8 Bluetooth-compatible devices or Internet-enabled appliances.
Who can participate?
We are looking for participants who:
- are between 10 and 30 years old,
- have a motor impairment that prevents them from using standard technology interfaces (e.g. mouse, keyboard, touchscreen) due to cerebral palsy (GMFCS III or greater), cervical spinal cord injury (C4-C5, ASIA A or B), muscular dystrophy, or any other condition,
- have the ability to intentionally activate an access technology (i.e. a switch) when cued, in a functional and non-fatiguing manner,
- have the ability to use single-switch scanning or the ability to use multiple switches,
- have normal or corrected-to-normal vision,
- are proficient in English.
What’s involved?
The first part of the study will involve the research team visiting participants in their homes, once a week for 4 weeks. During these sessions a series of questionnaires will be completed to understand the participant’s environment, individual goals, and needs that the Tecla-e can help meet. The team will also complete an in-home setup of the Tecla-e and associated devices.
The second part the study consists of a 1 hour focus group that participants will be invited to attend to give feedback on their experience with Tecla-e.
What are the benefits of participating?
Participants will receive a Tecla-e device, as well as any associated equipment necessary to the achievement of their individual goals (e.g. indoor positioning beacons, mobile devices, access, technologies Smart Home hubs, etc.)
Principal Investigator:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
To ask questions or to sign up, please contact the research coordinator: hopmansn@mcmaster.ca
Sarah Hopmans, CanChild Centre, McMaster University