Multitouch Technology and Multitouch Technology and Children with Physical DisabilitiesChildren with Physical Disabilities

by

David M. DeProspero

Grant Proposal

Project Updates

-(May 21) Pepsi grant Application completed

-Voting begins June 1

PROBLEM Being ResearchedPROBLEM Being Researched

Children with upper body physical disabilities who can not utilize a standard computer mouse or keyboard do not have equal access to computing technologies within the educational environment due to their disabilities.

Grant Proposal

Physically challenged and disabled computer users are at a disadvantage in the modern computing climate.

Most existing computer interface technologies can not suitably support the specialized needs of the physically challenged or disabled community.

HUGE gap in the literature. This is seminal research in this topic.

Known ProblemsKnown Problems

Possible SolutionPossible Solution

Multitouch TechnologyInteractive, multi-user

collaborative interface device

Examples of ExistingExamples of ExistingMultitouch Surface InterfacesMultitouch Surface Interfaces

Recent Multitouch PopularityRecent Multitouch PopularityGrant funding would

go toward the custom construction of 5

multitouch platforms, the purchase of 2

iPads, and 2 Lenovo S-10 3T multitouch

tablets. These would be used for multitouch research initiatives for children with physical

disabilities.

Ongoing research revolves around the possibility of multitouch technology

as an equalizing technology

for all demographicsof computer

users.

Computing Challenges Facing Computing Challenges Facing Physically Challenged Children:Physically Challenged Children:

A usability study of multitouch technology and the physically

challenged student

by David M. DeProspero, © 2010

Initial Dissertation ResearchInitial Dissertation Research

Research MethodologyResearch Methodology

• Various multitouch devices would be deployed in local school districts and educational facilities catering to students with special needs.

• Informational Letters and Informed Consent Forms will be used to gain consent and assent for participation in the study

• Personal observation and evaluation would be performed within the facilities to evaluate usability of various multitouch hardware devices.

Benefits to the Benefits to the RefreshEverything campaign RefreshEverything campaign

and Participating Facilitiesand Participating Facilities

• Participation in seminal research

• Published exposure in scholarly journals (ACM, IEEE, etc.)

Benefits to the Benefits to the RefreshEverything campaign RefreshEverything campaign

and Participating Facilitiesand Participating Facilities

• Published exposure in educational journals

• Local, regional, and national publicity

• Website exposure

Milestones Achieved to DateMilestones Achieved to Date• Application to RefreshEverything grant

program

• Initial mobile multitouch hardware platform designed and constructed from doctoral research.

• Initial usability software developed & tested from doctoral research.

• Data collection plan and data analysis methods identified.

Conclusions & OutcomesConclusions & Outcomes

• School personnel can identify the usability characteristics and benefits of the multitouch interface users with physical challenges.

• Better informed personnel regarding any potential limitations that these interface devices may pose for the demographic.

• Identify incompatibility of existing interface technology within academic institutions relating to the students’ unique physical limitations.

• Results of this study would serve to at least partially fill existing research gap.

• Serve as a springboard for other related research topics.

Conclusions & OutcomesConclusions & Outcomes

THANK THANK YOU!YOU!

Grant Proposal