Development of Assistive Technologies for Persons with Disabilities
In 2010-11, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has supported the development of nine ICT-based assistive tools and applications for persons with disabilities. The funded projects, ranging from software development, input and control auxiliary device, online services and rehabilitation tools, etc, cater for persons with different types of disabilities such as the physically disabled and visually impaired persons.
The funding periods of all funded projects have been concluded. Brief descriptions of these funded projects are given below (in alphabetical order):
|
Funded Project* |
Funded Organisation |
Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
|
A Mobile, Multi-Modal Human Interface Device for People with Disabilities and Its Application on Home Automation System
|
Hong Kong PHAB Association (joint implementation with the University of Hong Kong) |
Developed a control device for use with smartphones and tablet computers. It features with control functions such as eye-ball tracking, touch screen and voice recognition which can suit the needs of people with different level of disabilities. |
|
A Novel Chinese Text Input Brain-Computer Interface for Persons with Neuromuscular Disability |
Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Developed a portable brain-computer interface prototype enables persons with neuromuscular disability to use electroencephalogram to interact with a computer and input Chinese text to communicate with others more effectively. |
|
Easy-Dots2.0 |
Hong Kong Blind Union |
Upgraded the Braille input software "Easy-Dots" adopted by the visually impaired persons and made it compatible with operating system with enhanced functionalities. |
|
Intelligent home for people with physical disabilities |
Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) |
Developed a console system for physically disabled persons to control various home appliances using smartphones. |
|
KineLabs for Elderly and Stroke Rehabilitation |
Hong Kong Polytechnic University |
Developed three interesting rehabilitation games together with an evaluation platform for persons beset with stroke and brain injury. Based on the data collected in the evaluation platform, it can assess a patient's recovery progress. |
|
QuicKey "Barrier-free input device" |
Keysquare Communication Limited |
Produced a special-designed small keyboard device for physically disabled persons with a single-button control mode that can replace traditional keyboard and mouse. |
|
On-line Navigation System for disabled persons on web-based and smartphone platforms |
Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Sha Tin) |
Developed a system to provide information on accessibility facilities for persons with disabilities so that they can use smartphones to obtain such information. |
|
Transense - Text4U |
Hong Kong Society for the Blind |
Developed a mobile app to provide simple mode of operations for the visually impaired persons. It can capture an image of Chinese or English texts using the built-in camera and then recognise and read out the text message via the built-in voiceover function. |
|
Touchscreen text input application for visually impaired |
Freedom Communications Limited (joint implementation with the Hong Kong Blind Union) |
Developed a mobile app, based on the Braille input software "Easy-Dots", to provide four Chinese input methods for the visually impaired persons. |
*Some of the funded projects have already been decommissioned
