Student Project Ideas

Introduction

Many students would like to work on projects related to wireless technology and persons with disability. However, they often do not know where to start. They are not aware of the current needs of different user populations and they have no access to domain experts or to real disabled users that can guide their design and development. Therefore, we maintain a list of student projects that are linked to a specific researcher who is interested in working with students. In this manner the students not only can find out about relevant projects, but they are linked up with an expert who can guide their work and can make sure that user-centered design practices are used. The results are student research projects that are useful and relevant to the communities they are meant to help.

These projects typically fall into the domain of computer science (CS), human-computer interaction (HCI), psychology (PSYCH) and Public Policy (PP). While most of the projects could be approached with any of these disciplines in mind, many are more suited to a particular area. Therefore, each project is marked with the domains that it is most suited for.

If you are a researcher in rehabilitation or accessibility and would like to submit a project idea, please send an email to: Maribeth@imtc.gatech.edu

Additional sources of potential projects are available through the GT College of Computing Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) course and its Mobile and Ubiquitious Computing course.

 List of Projects

Sip & Puff control of iPods (CS,HCI)

Extending the existing controls for a sip & puff device communicating with an iPod wirelessly. Currently, the patients can power on/off the iPod, pause a tune, restart it, and fast forward within and between tunes. They would like to incorporate volume control, as well as some menu functions offered by the iPod.

Sponsor: Kevin Grogg, kevin_grogg@shepherd.org, Shepherd Center, www.shepherd.org

Accessible Bluetooth Headset (CS, HCI)

This project would be to develop a switch adapted bluetooth headset with a sturdy connection and an easily accessed button to start the voice activation part of a cellphone, not on the side but on the face part of the phone.

Sponsor: Ruth Fierman, ruth_fierman@shepherd.org, Shepherd Center, www.shepherd.org

PDA or Mobile Phone control of Household devices (CS, HCI)

This project would be to design and develop voice controls from a palm organizer/cell phone to operate TV and/or x-10 devices (via infrared).

Sponsor: Ruth Fierman, ruth_fierman@shepherd.org, Shepherd Center, www.shepherd.org

Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) Environments and Disability (CS, HCI, Psych, Policy)

There are many interesting opportunities related to disabilities and MMOs (such as Second Life or World of Warcraft). These environments can be used for educating about disability issues and for providing a new type of independence to those with disabilities. There is also the opportunity to explore public policy issues for users with disabilities in these virtual communities.

One project would be creating avatars and client interfaces that mimic various disabilities which could be used by players to virtually experience the impact of that disability on what they can do and how they can interact.

Interfaces can also be created to allow better access for users with disability. For example an audio-only client could be used by a blind user to interact more fully in the virtual community. While creating the interface would involve developing technology there are also opportunities for HCI/psychology projects that look at how users with disabilities currently utilize and interact in MMOs or how increased access via accessible interfaces changes this usage. For example one project would be to study the social effects that this type of access could have for users with disabilities.

Aside from creating more accessibly interfaces, are there creative ways that MMOs can be used to aid persons with disabilities with their problems of everyday living? For example could these virtual worlds be utilized for helping people that are doing physical rehabilitation from their homes or for aiding those with cognitive impairments to get through household tasks?

As MMOs become more mature and more widely used policy issues that are the topic of debate in the physical world begin to have relevance in virtual communities (e.g. should gambling be allowed? How is stealing dealt with?). There are many opportunities to research and develop strategies for how the companies that run MMOs (such as Linden Labs) might handle disability issues. Will we end up with virtual world analogs of existing real world laws (like the ADA)? Do policy decisions from the real world have relevance in a virtual community, or are new approaches and ways of thinking needed?

 Sponsors: Paul Baker, paul.baker@cacp.gatech.edu, Center for Advanced Communications Policy, www.cacp.gatech.edu

Maribeth Gandy, Maribeth@imtc.gatech.edu, Interactive Media Technology Center, www.imtc.gatech.edu

 Telework (CS, HCI, Psych, Policy)

There is the possibility for projects that explore the intersection between two current RERCs; Wireless and Work Place Accomodation (www,workplacererc.org). Tele- work provides increased opportunities for people with disabilities to work. Therefore there is a need for research projects that look at the issues of people tele-working using wireless technologies (wifi, wimax, mobile devices etc.) It is important that universal design and accessibility be components of tele-working technology, strategies, and policies so that workers of all abilities can benefit. The following are a few examples of possible projects in this domain.

Devices like RIM Blackberries are ubiquitous among people that work outside of the standard office. However, they are often difficult to use especially for people with disabilities. There is a need to develop accessible tele-work tools that leverage wireless technologies. These interfaces can either be tailored such that they adapt to a specific user or can use universal design techniques to create interfaces for the general public that are more usable for all.

Not only do tele-work tools need to have an awareness of user abilities; they also must be aware of network and device abilities especially as workers move between locations, networks, and devices during the day. Research is needed in how network and device capabilities could be characterized and how this could drive the interface and services provided by each system. A sub-project would be to simply look at how information, current work sessions, and open communication channels can seamlessly transition between these different devices and networks.

Emergency communication is a hot topic of research right now. One area that has been overlooked it not just how to get out initial emergency warnings (e.g. there is a fire in the building) but how to handle tele-work in emergency situations. For example, if a large storm hits the city, thousands if not millions of workers may need to carry on their work (in some capacity) at home for several days. The infrastructure which supports tele-work may not be fully functional. What technological developments are needed to support the provide communication and tele-work in emergency conditions? What type of services would be required? Is a need for new or modified public policy to support this?

Sponsors: Paul Baker, paul.baker@cacp.gatech.edu, Center for Advanced Communications Policy, www.cacp.gatech.edu

Maribeth Gandy, Maribeth@imtc.gatech.edu, Interactive Media Technology Center, www.imtc.gatech.edu

 Adapted camera for use by persons with disabilities (CS, HCI)

Many persons with disabilities are unable to use camera or binoculars. A need exists to create a relatively simple, yet affordable system that offers image magnification and picture-taking. The proposed solution involves a point-and-shoot camera that permits computer control of camera features coupled with a pan/tilt system. The Canon family of camera and the Canon EOS Digital Camera Software Development Kit (EDSDK) shows promise. Interfacing with the Eagletron Tracker Pod would offer pan/tilt. The project sponsors will provide all hardware and software needed for the project as well as design criteria for a use by persons with disabilities.

Sponsor: Stephen Sprigle [STEPHEN.SPRIGLE@coa.gatech.edu], Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access, www.catea.org

Wound Measurement Device (CS)

The measurement of pressure ulcers and other wounds is necessary to track the status and healing of these entities by healthcare personnel. CATEA has developed a prototype system that has the needed capabilities. However, additional functionality is sought. The current user interface, detects the wound border to calculate surface area. However, two additional functions are desired: 1) the ability for the user to circumscribe the periwound area (the area around the wound that reflects compromised tissue) and, 2) the ability to estimate depth of the wound.

This project can address one or both of these additional functions. The measurement of periwound requires the development of software allowing the user to circumscribe the area using a touch pad. The estimation of wound depth will be done using a laser line projected over the wound. Hardware and software support and guidance will be provided by CATEA.

Sponsor: Stephen Sprigle [STEPHEN.SPRIGLE@coa.gatech.edu], Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access, www.catea.org

 A Searchable Voice Organizer (CS, HCI)

The Searchable Voice Organizer (SVO) is a system for storing audio notes (e.g. directions, reminders, appointments, phone numbers etc.) and for retrieving them via voice (i.e. the user simply speaks search terms and the relevant audio notes are returned). This system, while useful for all, is designed primarily for people with vision or dexterity impairments that find it difficult or impossible to use other organizational methods. There are several possible projects related to the continuation of this project.

 New features that could be designed and developed for the SVO:

 -       Tagging (explicitly or implicitly according to search phrase)

-       Ability to edit clips

-       Make a context-aware SVO via GPS or other positioning data

 -       Make a phone service version of SVO (call on cell phone)

Sponsor: Jeff Wilson, jeff.wilson@bitc.gatech.edu, Biomedical Interactive Technology Center, www.imtc.gatech.edu