For the Blind, Fingerless, and Others with Limited Control; Cybertac, a Tactile
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 025 890 40 EC 003 484 By -Kafafian, Haig Study of Ma, -Machine Communications Systems for the Handicapped. Interim Report. Cybernetics Research Inst., Inc., Washington, D.C. Spons Agency-Office of Education (DHEW), Washington, D.C. Bureau of Research. Bureau No-BR-7-0533 PubDate 19 Aug 68 Grant OEG -2-7-070533-4237 Note-149p. EDRS Price MF-$0.75 HC-$7.55 Descriptors-*Audiovisual Instruction, Braille, Case Records, *Communication (Thought Transfer), Communication Skills, Cybernetics, Dectromechanical Technology, Equipment Evaluation, *Exceptional Child Research, Input Output Devices, *Instructional Materials, Language ilrts, Man Machine Systems, *Multiply Handicapped, Perceptual Motor Coordination, Systems Development, Typewriting Identifiers-Cyberbrailler, Cybercode, Cybercom Cybergenetics, Cybergloves, Cyberlamp, Cyberphone, Cyberplate, Cybersem, Cybertac, Cybertype, Cyberview, HAIBRL Newly developed communications systemsforexceptionalchildreninclude Cybercom; CYBERTYPE; Cyberplace, a keyless keyboard; Cyberphone, a telephonic communication system for deaf and speech impaired persons; Cyberlamp, a visual display; Cyberview, a fiber optic bundle remote visual display; Cybersem, an interface fortheblind,fingerless, and otherswithlimitedcontrol; Cybertac, a tactile communications technique for the blind, utilizing palpable vibrations; Cyberbrailler, system for simultaneous printing of braille and typed letters via Cybercode dual inputs; Cybergloves, transducer-fitted gloves, and HAIBRL, an unambiguous punctiform tactile communication system utilizing reference perforations. Three blind, five multiple impaired, two bilateral amputees, and two deaf subjects were tested on the new mechanisms using experimental instructional materials. The latter include Cybertype Exercise Series, a child's circus story guide, and language arts exercises. Initial results indicated that the systems were capable, reliable, and effective in assisting handicapped subjects to communicate. (Author/RP) 704r33 4 4ie? Interim Report Project No. 7-0533 Grant No. OEG2-7-070533-4237 STUDY OF MAN-MACH1NE COMMUNICATIONSSYSTEMS FOR THE HANDICAPPED August 19, 1968 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Office of Education Bureau of Research CybennWeis 1e6eaxe.hLaatute 2233Wioconsin Avenue, N. W. Wa6hington, D. C.'20007 Taephone (202) 333-4112 ERRATA SHEET RE: Intenim RepoAt dated Auguzt 19, 1968 Project No. 7-0533 STUDY OF MAN-MACHINE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS FOR THE HANDICAPPED 4on U.S. Dept. o4 Heath, Education, and We4ate 044ice oi Education . Bute= o4 Re4eatah TO BE INSERTED: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SECTION - Page iv fourtrt Zine from bottomoffourth paragraph; following last word on line ("veterans") PLEASE ADD: Administration; Walter G. Lei4ht, Senior Operation Research Ana;yst SECTION VI - CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS - Page 41 sixth Zine from top of first paragraph; following last word on Zine [ (c) a ] PLEASE ADD: need for A.nterim Report Project No, 7-0533 Grant No. OEG2-7-070533-4237 STUIL OF MAN-MACHINE COMMUNICATIONP SYSTEMS FOR THE HANDICAPPED Haig Kafafian CYBERNETICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE Washington, D. C. August 19, 1968 The research reported herein was performed pursuant to a grant with the OFFICE OF EDUCATION, U, S. DEPART- MENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE. rantees undertaking such projects under Government sponsor- ship are encouraged to express freely their profes- sional judgment in the conduct of the project. Points 1 of riew or opinions stated do not, therefore, neces- sarily represent official OFFICE OF EDUCATION position or policy. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Office of Education Bureau of Research U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVEDFROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT.POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OFEDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY. 0,-)9/V0 &? Cybetnet(r.. Reseatch Inst(tatv CONTENTS Pagc Preface iii Acknowledgc:nonts iv Summary 1 Introduction 6 Methods Sectici I Cvhercom c!vstems 8 Section II Instructional Program and Materials 23 Section III CYBERTYPE Tea,:hlra and Learnina Studies 27 Section IV Preliminary Test. Report 32 Section V Pesulfs and ". qs 39 Secticn VI Conclusions an' Recommendations 41 References 44 Appendixes Appendix A Dual-input Proaram 1 - Appendix 11 CYBERTYPE Exercise Series 1 - 31 Appendix C Cynr)r-Circus 1 - 7 Appendix D Lanquaae Arts Exercises 1 - 16 Appendix r Selected Descriptions of Sul-jects 1 - 6 Appendix r Film Transcript 1 - 9 Appendix G HAIBRL Cell Functions 1 - 5 Appendix H Letters 1 - 5 Appendix I EPIC Report Resume 1 Cybelmetic4 Re4eanch nutitute Contents Page Plates 1. Students at the Belle WillardElementary School operating 14-key,one-hand; and other interfaces. la 2. CYBERTYPE' 14-key interfacewith "Cyberlamn", 8a a visualdisplay. 3. Split-interface keyboard mounted onthe arms of a wheelchair. A "Cyberlamp" is shown to 14a the left of theCYBERTYPE' . 4. CYBERTYPE') 14-key, one-handinterface shown in use while receivingdictation over a telephone. 14b 5. Instructor with monocularvision and two pros- theses operating the CYBERTYPE and the "Cyber- lamp", with the "Cybersem"interface. 14c 15a 6. The keyless "Cyberplate." 7. Keyless typewriter operatedby means of "Cyber- gloves." Contacts can be made on anypart of the "Cyberplate" toobtain the function, letter, or symboldesired. 15b 14-key interface.16a 8. CYBERTYPe with a converter and 8. "Cyberlamp" - a visualdisplay, which provides feedback to sighted personswho are deaf and/or have speech impediments. 16a 9. "Cyberphone" - a portabletelephonic communi- cations device for use bythe deaf and persons with speech impediments. 16b 10. "Cyberbrailler," with aCYBERTYPe 14-key inter- face and a "Cybersem"interface. In the back- ground, a manual alphabetbnd alphanumeric display "Cyberlamp" isshown for use bysighted 18a braillists. 11. "Cyberbrailler," showingcommercially-available typewriters used in conjunctionwith a 14-key CYBERTYPETh interface and a"Cyberglove-Cyberplate" interface. Simultaneous braillerand typewritten outputs are available. 18b iia Cybetnetics Reseuxch Institute Contents Page Plates 12. Woodcock electric brailler;CYBERTYPe) 14-key interface with a converter, whichpermits chang- ing of the codes. Both braille and typewritten outputs are available simultaneously. 18c 13. Cyber-Circus instructional materials. Circus toys and objects used in theCyber-Circus pres- entation. 25a Tables I. Possible Ambiguities in the Six-DotBraille Cell 20 II. Single and Dual Dot HAIBRL CellFunctions Appendix G 2 III. Three Dot HAIBRL CellFunctions Appendix G 3-5 XV. Selected Characteristics of Subjects 33 V. Errors per Thousand Characters Based onData from Seven Sessions. 35 VI. Mean and Range of Number ofCharacters Typed per Session and TotalNumber of Hours of In- struction 36 Figures I. Outline of 14-keyCYBERTYPEe keyboard 25b II. Rate of Letters Learned per Half-HourPeriods of Instruction 36a Charts 1. Single, Dual and Multiple Dot Combinations 19a 2. CYBERTYPe Dual Input Keying Positions Chart Appendix A 3 3. Dual Input Program Chart Appendix A 4 4. Dual Input Program Chart Appendix A 5 5. Dual Input Program Chart Appendix A 6 6. Experimental HAIBRL Cells Appendix G la iib CybekneticAReseakch Inztitute PREFACE aneducationalresearch This report covers thc U. S. under majorsponsorship of program, in part byCYBERNETICS OFFICE OFEDUCATION and It dealswith determining RESEARCH INSTITUTE. communications the feasibilityof newman-machine applied to theeducation ofmultiple- systems as One of themechanisms impaired childrenand youth. , acomponent used in the programemploysCYBERTYPE® or subsystemof Cybercom.1 1 Trade-mark iii CybeAne,ti.cisReiseattch inotitute ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CYBERNETICS RESEARCHINSTITUTE (CRI) gratefullyacknow- ledges support received frpmthe PROJECTS AND PROGRAMBRANCH, DIVISION OF RESEARCH, BUREAUOF EDUCATION FOR. THEHANDICAPPED, their parents, and especially Lhemultiple-impaired children and not have without Whom many of thefindings in this report would been possible. his friend and The investigatoris especially indebted to colleague, the lateProfessor William J. Fry,former Head, Illinois, and Biophysical ResearchLaboratory, University of RESEARCH INSTITUTE, one of thefounding fathers of CYBERNETICS dedication to programs who always respondedwith alaarity and whose purposes were tobetter serve mankind. To the support renderedby the Chairman ofCYBERNETICS Professor Heinz Vbn RESEARCH INSTITUTE'sBoard of Trustees, Laboratory, University of Fberster, Head,Biological Ccrnputer INSTITUTE's Illinois; and the Chairmanof CYBERNETICS RESEARCH S. McCulloch, Cybernetics AdvisoryCouncil, Professor Warren Massachusetts M.D., of the ResearchLaboratory of Electronics, Institute of Technology,the investigator is mostgrateful. valuable assistance The staff appreciatesthe guidance and rendered by ProfessorSamuel C. Ashcroft,Chairman, Department College for Teachers; Dr. of SpecialEducation, George Peabody Operations, Aerospace Cor- Arra S. Avakian,Director, Eastern Institute of poration; Mr. James J.Bagnall, Research Staff, Defense Analysis; WarrenM. Brodey, M.D.,of Massachusetts Staff, Institute of Technology; Mr.Joseph Coates, Research Engel, Special Institute of DefenseAnalysis; Dr. Joseph H. Assistant to the VicePresident (Technical) ofCarmunications President, and/4r. Satellite Corporation;Mr. Roger Barron, President, Adaptronics, Lewey 0. Gilstrap,Jr.,Executive Vice