Resources for a US phone, if you cannot even hold it?
September 15, 2022 6:57 PM   Subscribe

What apps or other technology can we add to an android phone so that my uncle can listen to music or books even though he cannot control his body and speech is difficult/not distinct?

Or is there somethings else that you know about that might be useful?

Backstory: My uncle has a degenerative neurological condidtion. He cannot control his movements (spastic) and speech is challenging. He was recently moved multiple states from any family to a long term care facility.

Someone from the family will be visiting him once a month and his partner comes every 9 days. Everyone is feeling a little helpless and wants to make his time more comfortable. The family visits are starting with his siblings who are not the most technologically oriented so please please the suggestions have to be a simple.
posted by mutt.cyberspace to Computers & Internet (6 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I'm sorry that sounds very difficult for everyone involved. That being said, I have a thought.

I would look into the accessibility feature called switch control. It's aimed at people who have similar difficulties. I know both IOS and Android have support for this feature, though IOS was a little more advanced when I last looked at it.

You also might want to look into eye tracking, though I'm less familiar with that area. I know Microsoft was doing some work with it but haven't looked into it lately.

I hope something will work for your uncle.
posted by Alensin at 7:31 PM on September 15, 2022 [2 favorites]


Can he move his head? I know "switch control" with the iPhone lets you exert rudimentary control with left-right head movements (tracked by its camera).

There's a startup with a product called Voiceitt which is supposed to work with people with speech impairment to learn to recognize words as they speak them (to be used in conjunction with a standard voice assistant). I do not know how solid their product is or how stable the company is, though.

(This sounds very difficult for all involved and you have my sympathies.)
posted by praemunire at 8:07 PM on September 15, 2022


I have a friend, Zuby Onwuta, who can help guide you with this. Please check your MeMail.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 10:17 PM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]


Contact your regional ADA office and they will be able to provide you further organizations to get information and assistance from.
posted by zenon at 7:29 AM on September 16, 2022


There are definitely some things that can be done to allow better access to an Android phone, but given his situation, I would REALLY encourage you, or whoever is advocating for him, to look into eye gaze controlled Augmentative Communication devices. This would allow him to use eye gaze to communicate with people who don't understand his speech, as well as control devices like a phone/laptop/call-bell/environmental controls.

The folks who can help you with this would be speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists. It's likely he would need someone with specific expertise in this area, as it is fairly specialized. Some of the equipment can be borrowed or rented if he has a limited life expectancy.

If professional involvement isn't an option, Apple devices are probably a better option than an android phone, and some of the new eye pads do have some built in eye tracking ability. Some ideas here. This can be setup by family, if professional support just isn't possible.

A better option is something purpose designed TD Pilot from Tobii is one example, but this does require some professional support at least to get started.

Feel free to DM me if you have questions. I'm not a professional but knowledgeable from experience.
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 11:45 AM on September 16, 2022 [3 favorites]


Every state has an Assistive Technology Program. (I have never been able to make links work on the green, so: https://at3center.net/state-at-programs/) Find the one for your state and contact them.

They can provide assessment (fee-based, usually) and suggestions and even equipment loans so your uncle can try a device before buying it. I have worked with the Montana one (MonTECH) for years and they have great and knowledgable staff and a large lending library. I'm sure other states are the same - it's the kind of place and job that draws people who are very good at assistive technology.
posted by ITravelMontana at 5:29 PM on September 16, 2022 [2 favorites]


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