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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Can you imagine being a parent and not being able to communicate with your child because they have a severe disability? Then, you discover a technology that allows you to communicate with your child for the first time. This is exactly what The Opportunity Foundation of America, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is offering with EagleEyes.
Executive Director Debbie Inkley says EagleEyes allows nonverbal and paralyzed people to play games, type words and express feelings by using their eyes to move a computer cursor. Electrodes attached around the eye detect muscle movements and move the computer cursor to the desired location on a screen, from a "yes" or "no" icon to zapping a space alien.
Debbie says Jim Gips of Boston College developed the technology in 1994. His lab was directly across the street from the special needs school on campus, and when he met the kids he knew he wanted to help them with the EagleEyes Technology. The BYU TV, Turning Point documentary, on EagleEyes has really expanded the distribution nationwide.
A woman saw the program and called Debbie of The Opportunity Foundation of America, which administers EagleEyes, and asked to try the product. Her son was diagnosed with having the mentality of a 3-month-old baby, and she had never been able to communicate with him. He's now one of the program's major success stories and can use "I want" and "I feel" statements to help his family understand what he needs.
In another instance a 5-year-old child had never expressed emotion. Using EagleEyes helped simulate his visual cortex, and his mother was able to see her son's personality come through for the first time as he started laughing, smiling and crying.
Debbie says EagleEyes is a great tool that has had amazing results. It can help shape these kids' lives as they experience involvement for the first time with an incredible impact on families. It also improves their self image and self esteem because they can now do something they've been told they never could.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
The Opportunity Foundation of America 7166 Villandrie Ln. Salt Lake City, UT 84121 1-801-231-6691 www.ofoa.net
