SBIR-STTR Award

Computers are widely used as workstations in technical and business applications. The jobs associated with workstations remain unavailable to most of the severely handicapped population because they require normal dexterity in one or both hands to control the keyboard and mouse or other pointing device. Workstations are based on a wide variety of hardware and software platforms. making modifications on a case by case basis very costly and time consuming. Recent advances in ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) technology and the availability of high density on-board memory makes it possible to consider designing a Universal Computer Interface (UCI). The UCI would be a microprocessor controlled unit which would sit between the user and he workstation and allow standard adaptive input devices to mimic the electrical interface of the keyboard and pointing device. In Phase I, we will: a) analyze the interface between the Iceyboard/pointing devices and the computers from the major workstation vendors b) assess the applicability of key technologies to the problem and c) develop the hardware and software architecture for the UCI.Anticipated Results and

Potential Commercial Applications:
The work of Phase I will prove the feasibility of an economical workstation interface with the potential of providing access to well paying jobs for thousands of handicapped people. Phase II work will consist of the development of prototype units which will be used in clinical tests. and be the basis for production units. The market for a commercially available UCI would be substantial for pure financial reasons without regard to the associated sociological benefits. A relatively small initial investment on an otherwise unemployable client will save insurance companies and social service organizations decades of continued support payments.Key Words: Computer Workstation, Handicap, DisabilityTopic 3: Innovative Technologies to Enhance Job Development, Job Modifications, or Job Opportunities for Disabled Individuals

The jobs associated with workstations remain unavailable to a large segment of the severely handicapped population because they require normal vision and dexterity in one or both hands to control the keyboard and mouse or other pointing device. Works ations are based on a wide variety of hartvare and software platforms, malting modifications on a case by case basis very costly and time consuming. Recent advances in ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) technology, microprocessors, and memory makes it possible to consider designing a Universal Computer Interface (UCI). The UCI would be a microprocessor controlled unit which would sit between the user and the workstation, and allow standard adaptive input devices to mimic the electrical interface of he keyboard and pointing device. Our Phase I world laid the architectural and logistic ground work for developing the UCI. In Phase II, we will: a) design and build production ready hardware and system software, which will be capable of supporting all of Me major workstation platforms; b) design vendor specific software which will work with two of the most widely used platforms; c ) test and demonstrate the unit in educational and government environments.

Keywords:
computer, workstation, handicap, disabilityAnticiapted results:The work of Phase II will resultin a unique, production ready, economical workstation interface with the potential of providing access to well paying jobs for thousands of handicapped people. The market for a commercially available UCI would be substantial for both legislative and economic reasons. First. Section 508 mandates that high powered workstations purchased by government employees be accessible,but hardware does not currently exist that fully satisfies the requirement. Second, from a cost/benefit viewpoint, a relatively small initial investment on an otherwise unemployable client will save insurance companies and social service organizations decades of continued support payments.Topic 3: Innovative Technologies to Enhance Job Development, Job Modifications, or Job Opportunities for Disabled Individuals