The problem of this study was to conduct a systematic application and evaluation of the appropriateness of a computerized voice control system with a subject having the severe multihandicaps of profound mental retardation, quadriplegia, and limited communication skills. This research was an effort to establish if a computer could compensate for some of the physical limitations of the subject.

Esse trabalho apresenta um estudo sistemático de projeto baseado na integração da matriz da qualidade (QFD), com técnicas de análise funcional, com o objetivo de propor melhorias no projeto de dispositivos de sustentação e movimentação de membros superiores (sling), utilizados por terapeutas junto à pessoas com disfunção neuromuscular ou musculoesquelética decorrente de patologias que afetem a musculatura do ombro. Como objetivo complementar, foi feito um levantamento e análise comparativa das soluções técnicas propostas em bases de dados acadêmicas e de patentes, bem como soluções comerciais. Nas últimas décadas, um conjunto de fatores tem conduzido a demandas crescentes com relação à atuação das áreas de pesquisa e tecnologia, que possam fornecer soluções tecnicamente viáveis dentro das restrições de cada problema. A tecnologia assistiva, um campo interdisciplinar, que trata do desenvolvimento de equipamentos, desenhando fronteiras com questões de acessibilidade, com uso e adequação de produtos, atuando nas áreas de recuperação e reabilitação promovendo qualidade de vida e inclusão social de pessoas com algum tipo de deficiência ou mobilidade reduzida, apresenta uma lacuna no desenvolvimento e disponibilização de soluções. Nesse trabalho, o uso de ferramentas de metodologia de projeto, durante o projeto conceitual e em discussões do projeto informacional, permitiu uma melhor interface entre decisões técnicas de engenharia e os requisitos do usuário. O usuário intermediário, previamente definido, foram terapeutas ocupacionais, que prescrevem e acompanham o uso dos mecanismos e equipamentos junto aos usuários finais (pessoas com deficiência). Os resultados obtidos nesse trabalho indicam que o uso de ferramentas de metodologia de projeto foi significativamente relevante, principalmente na fase do projeto informacional, permitindo a inserção das experiências dos profissionais da área de saúde no desenvolvimento do conceito que incorporou grau de inovação às soluções do sling. O uso da manufatura aditiva para visualização do conceito, bem como o desenvolvimento do protótipo funcional foram importantes, para criar um processo interativo e iterativo de melhorias durante o projeto de natureza multidisciplinar. Essas melhorias incluíram adequação a diferentes tipos de mobiliários e ambientes, incluindo o hospitalar, uso unilateral ou bilateral e sistema de deslizamento para movimento do braço no plano horizontal. / This paper presents a project of systematic study based on the integration of quality matrix (QFD), practical analysis techniques; with aim to propose improvements in device design support and movement of the upper limbs (sling), used by the therapist in individuals with neuromuscular dysfunction or resulting from musculoskeletal disorders affecting the shoulder musculature. To supplement, it was made a survey and comparative analysis of the technical solutions proposed in academic databases and patents, as well as business solutions. In recent decades, a number of factors have led to growing demands with regards to performance of the areas of research and technology, which can provide technical viable solutions within the constraints of each problem. The assistive technology, an interdisciplinary field that deals with the development of equipment, draws borders with accessibility issues, using and adapting products working in the areas of recovery and rehabilitation promoting quality of life and social inclusion of people with disability or reduced mobility, it presents a gap in the development and supply of solutions. In this work, the use of design methodology tools for the conceptual design and the informational project discussions enables a better interface between technical engineering decisions and user requirements. The intermediate user, previously set was occupational therapists, prescribes and monitors the use of the mechanisms and / or equipment to end users (people with disabilities). The results of this study indicate that the use of design methodology tools is significantly relevant, especially at the stage of informational design, allowing the insertion of health professionals experience in developing the concept that incorporated degree of innovation to sling solutions. These improvements include suitability for different types of securities and environments, including hospital, unilateral or bilateral use, and sliding arm system for movement in the horizontal plane. The use of additive manufacturing concept for the display, as well as the development of functional prototype are important to create an interactive and iterative process improvements during the project, a multidisciplinary nature.

Pediatric powered mobility training teaches a child useful skills to become effectively mobile with the aid of their powered wheelchair. The staff at the Massachusetts Hospital School (MHS) desired a powered mobility training protocol that could be used for training children who were considered to be marginal wheelchair drivers with respect to basic maneuvering skills. The primary objective of the protocol was to reduce the subject's reliance on verbal cuing and replace this dependence by external cues provided by the environment. The specific aim of this pilot study was to investigate the use of a ranging device mounted on a powered wheelchair to provide an auditory feedback to the subject when an obstacle within its range was detected. The first goal of this study was to verify that the ranging device was capable of providing useful auditory feedback to the MHS patients that had met criteria to be candidates for the study. The second goal was to determine to what extent the device was beneficial in improving the subject's everyday mobility skills. The final goal was to observe if there was an internalization of the ranging device cues such that the subject's mobility skills improved upon removal of the device. Three subjects participated in this study. Each subject participated in pre-training, training and post-training evaluations through which the improvement of their mobility skills was measured. The results of this pilot study demonstrated that the use of a ranging device, with auditory feedback, can potentially be used effectively in the powered mobility training of children with disabilities. Further, it appeared that marginal wheelchair drivers were able to internalize some of the ranging device's auditory cues such that their performance improved when the sensing device was removed from their wheelchair. Recommendations for improving this study include using a more appropriate ranging device, redefining criteria for qualified candidates participating in the study, and eliminating variations in data between different evaluators.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2016-09-14T18:15:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Giovana Targino Esturaro.pdf: 3510338 bytes, checksum: 04ee931e1366e357ac83dcda1afb09b8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-14T18:15:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Giovana Targino Esturaro.pdf: 3510338 bytes, checksum: 04ee931e1366e357ac83dcda1afb09b8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The FM system (frequency modulation) is a wireless technology, usually coupled with hearing aids and cochlear implants, in order to help users with electronic devices to understand speech in situations where there is noise, reverberation or when the speaker is distant. In June 2013, it was published the document 1,274 / GM / MS, which allows access to assistive devices (FM) for children aged 5 to 17 years with auditory ability of speech recognition. Objective: To describe and analyze the process of adaptation and consistency of use of Frequency Modulation System - FM in the classroom, particularly the adhesion of the teacher in this process and the identification of factors favoring adaptation. Method: The study included 69 children between five and 17 years, who received the FM system at Centro Audição na Criança e Clínica Mauro Spinelli (CeAC - DERDIC) in 2015. The teachers of the students were invited to participate in the study responding to the questionnaire SIFTER, teacher classification, which was delivered with a manual of good practice for the use of FM systems. Some school visits were conducted. Results: 39 responses were received, but only for 36 (92.3%) it was possible to obtain data of consistency measured by records in FM transmitter. Of these, 13 subjects (36.1%) were consistent use of FM and 23 (63.9%) were considered inconsistent use of the system in school and there was no significant difference between the groups when compared gender, economic class, schooling mother, hearing loss, regular or special school, type of school and child education. From the teachers responses analysis it was concluded that: only 42% (n = 15) of the teachers know the student's hearing loss characteristics. There was no significant difference between the use of consistency and school performance when considering the three categories of the scale used (approved, limit and failure), as the responses of teachers in SIFTER scale. Conclusion: It is necessary actions in the health and education area in order to have success in using the FM system at school, and is essential to school participation, health services and parents to adherence to treatment / O sistema FM (frequência modulada) é uma tecnologia sem fios, geralmente acoplado ao aparelho de amplificação sonora e implantes cocleares, com o objetivo de auxiliar usuários de dispositivos eletrônicos a entenderem melhor a fala em situações onde há ruído, reverberação ou quando o interlocutor está distante. Em junho de 2013, foi publicada a portaria 1.274/GM/MS, que permite o acesso à tecnologia assistiva (FM) para crianças de 5 a 17 anos com habilidade auditiva de reconhecimento de fala. Objetivo: Descrever e analisar o processo de adaptação e consistência de uso do Sistema de Frequência Modulada - FM em sala de aula, particularmente a adesão do professor nesse processo e a identificação de fatores que favorecem sua adaptação. Método: Participaram do estudo 69 crianças entre cinco e 17 anos que receberam o sistema FM no Centro Audição na Criança e Clínica Mauro Spinelli (CeAC - DERDIC) no ano de 2015. Foram convidados a participar do estudo os professores desses estudantes respondendo ao questionário SIFTER, classificação do professor que foram entregues com um manual de dicas e bom uso do FM. Foram realizadas algumas visitas às escolas. Resultado: Foram recebidas 39 respostas, mas apenas para 36 (92,3%) foi possível obter dados sobre a consistência de uso medida através de registros no transmissor de FM. Destes, 13 sujeitos (36,1%) fizeram uso consistente do FM e 23 (63,9%) tiveram uso considerado inconsistente do sistema na escola, sendo que não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quando comparados gênero, classe econômica, escolaridade da mãe, perda auditiva, escola regular ou especial, tipo de escola e escolaridade da criança. A partir da análise das respostas dos professores, foi possível concluir que: apenas 42% (n=15) dos professores sabem as características da perda de audição do estudante. Não houve diferença significativa entre consistência de uso e desempenho escolar quando consideradas as três categorias da escala utilizada (aprovado, limite e fracasso), conforme as respostas dos professores na escala SIFTER. Conclusão: São necessárias ações na área da saúde e educação para que se tenha sucesso no uso do Sistema FM na escola, sendo que é essencial a participação da escola, serviço de saúde e pais para a adesão ao tratamento

Orientadora: Lígia Maria Presumido Braccialli / Banca: Adriana Garcia Gonçalves / Banca: Rita de Cássia Tibério Araújo / Banca: Nilson Rogério da Silva / Banca: Mauro Audi / Resumo: As Tecnologias Digitais da Informação e Comunicação (TDIC) como, por exemplo, o computador tradicional e os dispositivos móveis, entre eles o notebook, o smartphone e o tablet, bem como o acesso à Internet, estão sendo usados por pessoas com ou sem deficiência física. Porém, não se tem evidência científica (quantitativa e qualitativa) sobre o seu uso por adultos com paralisia cerebral no Brasil. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar o uso das TDIC e verificar as percepções sobre essas tecnologias por adultos com paralisia cerebral em seu cotidiano. Assim, esta pesquisa está organizada em três estudos. O primeiro estudo, intitulado "Identificação do uso das Tecnologias Digitais da Informação e Comunicação por adultos com paralisia cerebral", teve a participação de 52 adultos com essa condição. Nesse estudo, por meio de um questionário, foi possível caracterizar o perfil de adultos com paralisia cerebral que são usuários das TDIC e de outros recursos de acessibilidade. Destaca-se, por exemplo, que os participantes fizeram um uso frequente dessas tecnologias e de outras opções de acessibilidade, assim como o uso de softwares/aplicativos e o acesso a sites da Internet, diferentemente dos recursos de acessibilidade. O segundo estudo, intitulado "Percepções sobre o uso das Tecnologias Digitais da Informação e Comunicação por adultos com paralisia cerebral", teve a participação de 12 adultos com essa condição. Nesse estudo, por meio de um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada, f... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) such as desktop computers, laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, as well as Internet access, are being used by people with or without a physical disability. However, there is no scientific evidence (quantitative and qualitative) about its use by adults with cerebral palsy in Brazil. The objective of this research was to identify the use of ICT by exploring the perceptions of these technologies by adults with cerebral palsy in their daily lives. Therefore, this research is organized in three different studies. The first study was entitled "Identification of the use of Information and Communication Technology by adults with cerebral palsy". This had the participation of 52 adults with this condition. By using a questionnaire in this study, it was possible to classify the profile of adults with cerebral palsy who are users of ICT and other accessibility resources. The participants, for example, have frequently made use of these technologies and other accessibility options, as well as the use of software/applications and access to Internet sites. In addition, it was observed the frequency of use of accessibility resources was limited. The second study was entitled "Perceptions about the use of Information and Communication Technology by adults with cerebral palsy". This had the participation of 12 adults with this condition. By using a semistructured interview guide in this study, it was possible to verify the perceptions about the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

The design of Assistive Technology (AT) products that are highly functional as well satisfactory is presents many challenges. Various types of input are used in design of AT products to help overcome them. A study was conducted to gather data on the impact that different types of input (from simulation tools, a professional therapist, and end users) during the design of an AT product has on the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction of the final design. The results show that input from stakeholders (end users or a therapist) can be very effective. However, effectiveness of the input is influenced by many factors and its impact on the design can be highly variable. Input from simulation tools was also found to be equally effective. Implications of these findings for the process of designing AT products are discussed.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010. / Committee Chair: Kemp, Charles; Committee Member: Glass, Jonathan; Committee Member: Griffin, Paul; Committee Member: Howard, Ayanna; Committee Member: Thomaz, Andrea. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [93]-100).

Orientador: Vera Lúcia Messias Fialho Capellini / Banca: Leila Regina D'Oliveira de Paula Nunes / Banca: Eduardo José Manzini / Resumo: O presente estudo é uma pesquisa de campo descritiva com análise dos dados, com objetivo de investigar o conhecimento de professores da rede municipal e estadual quanto à Tecnologia Assitiva (TA), considerando: (1) concepção e atitudes do professor em relação à TA e à inclusão da pessoa com deficiência, (2) quais recursos estão disponíveis ou faltam nas escolas onde estes atuam, (3) se os professores conhecem e/ou sabem manusear tais recursos, (4) se conhecem e/ou sabem manusear os softwares especiais apresentados na pesquisa. Participaram dessa pesquisa 1115 professores das cinco regiões do Brasil, alunos do curso de aperfeiçoamento "Práticas de Educação Especial Inclusiva" da UNESP-Bauru em parceira com a SECADI/MEC; ofertado na modalidade de educação à distância. Os resultados da pesquisa apontaram para a carência da TA nas escolas e para a falta de conhecimento do educador em relação aos recursos. Dos professores participantes, 92% acreditam que a TA é importante no processo de inclusão; 99% apontaram a necessidade de formação continuada sobre o tema para que possam atuar nesta perspectiva; e, 96% indicaram o apoio de equipe multidisciplinar aos professores do ensino comum. As ações são ínfimas, muitoa ainda precisa ser feito diante da necessidade de uma prática inclusiva eficaz, que proporcione autonomia e independência ao aluno com deficiência. É importante que se efetivem políticas públicas e atitudes que propiciem a disponibilização dos recursos de TA nas escolas, a oferta de cursos de formação continuada aos professores e, o apoio de equipe multidisciplinar, visando favorecer e dar condições ao professor para atuar no processo de inclusão, com vistas à equiparação de oportunidades educacionais acessíveis a todos. Temos que considerar que incluir não é o simples ato de inserir o aluno... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This study is a descriptive field research with data statistical analysis, in order to investigate the teachers' knowledge in the municipal and state schools as to Assistive Technology (AT), considering: (1) conception and teacher attitudes regarding AT and inclusion of desable persons, (2) what resources are available or lacking in the schools where they work, (3) if teachers know and/or know how to handle such resources, (4) meet and/or know how to handle the special software shown in research. 1115 teachers from the five regions of Brazil participated in this study. Also, improvement students of "Special Education Inclusive Practices" course from UNESP-Bauru in partnership with SECADI/MEC; offered in the distance education mode. The results point to the lack of AT in schools and the lack of educators knowledge regarding the resources. Of the participating teachers, 92% believe that the AT is important in the inclusion process, 99% indicate the need for continued education on the topic so they can act on this new perspective, and 96% indicate the multidisciplinary team support of teachers teaching common. The shares are negligible, much remains to be done before the need for an effective inclusive practice that provides autonomy and independence to disabled students. It is important to take effect public policies and attitudes that facilitate the availability of resources for AT in schools, offering continuing education courses for teachers, and the support of a multidisciplinary team in order to encourage and empower the teacher to act in the inclusion process aiming at equalization of educational opportunities accessible to all. We have to consider what to include is not the simple act of inserting the student in context, but to give that same opportunity to access, adapted when necessary, the content and services available in the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre