I've forwarded this with Stan's approval as I wondered if someone
would be interested in seeding an open development project(s) with his
work?
Steve Lee
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Stan Bass <
srbass903@...>
Date: 2009/6/22
Subject: Assistive Technology Programming Resources
To:
steve@...
Dear Mr. Lee,
My name is Stan Bass and while researching Assistive Technolgoy
Programming Resources I came across your online resume. After reading
of your experience and knowledge of AT programming and project
development I thought I would share with you the projects I have been
working on based upon my own needs as I am legally blind and
understand first hand the challenges many individuals face in their
day to day life. The frustration many feel are compounded by the
high cost of AT equipment and softwre more often than not, placing
these products well out or reach of the very people they are intended
to help. People with limited financial resources and already facing
tremendous challenges.
To help myself overcome many of the obstacles I faced in my day to day
life I opted to take a rather unconventional approach. I chose to a
"whole house" approach" by saving and purchasing a Home Automation
software called HAL Deluxe for approximately $250 USD.
(
http://www.automatedliving.com) This software utilizes Voice
Recognition and Speech Output. I then installed what they call a "HALi
App" by the name TellMe written by Jim Lipsit
(http:www.jameslipsit.com) which greatly enhanced the functionality
and useful of the HAL Deluxe program.
Over time and as I could affod it I have added low cost X10 devices in
my home to control such things as lights and appliances which enables
me to control these things by voice command, programmed events and
schedules. Currently I am in the process of installing whole house
audio and microphones to increase the ease of use of the system
through out the home.
To expand the system and to make it more of an Assistive Technology
to better meet my specific needs I then obtained a low cost omni bar
code scanner and created a database of GPL compiled UPC bar code
information and developed an MS-Access Database to interface with the
HAL Deluxe program in order to help me identify items, enter custom
information such as directions, cooking times, etc. While my vision
has prevented me from developing this as a "distributable" product I
have ben able to make it work well for me. Now I am able to quickly
identify what a can of food contains, what I need to do to prepare
the food item and I am also able to track how many I have on hand,
produce a shoppping list when I am running low and track when an item
has been used or it's expiration date is approaching. I have also
developed a database of recipes which I am linking to my groceries
on hand so now I am able to better plan meals, add items to the
shopping list othat I will need in the future based upon meal plans
and so much more.
Ideally I would like to find a way to ahve thisdeveloped further and
made available to others who could benefit from it's use as a stand
alone application with speech output and as an interfaced program for
the HAL application. It could easily be further expanded to include
such feature as:
- Nutritional Information
- Medication Identification and directions for use
- Clothing and other article Identification with special bar code tags
that are available or printed.
- CD and DVD Identification
- Track and monitor medical information such as glucose testing, blood
pressure readings etc.
and so much more.
My main question is how can I pursue the development of this as well
as several other projects I have used over the past 10 years that are
not currently available. Ideally I would like these things to
distributed free of charge to anyone who could benefit from them.
Any ideas, suggestioons or comments you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Stan Bass
