Developing a user-centred communication pad for cognitive and physical impaired people

Abstract

It is always challenging for people with disabilities, particularly having speech inhibition to communicate. In this research article, we explored the case study of the resident at the neurological centre, having a complication in conveying messages due to physical and speech paralysis. For making effective communication, we have developed a user-centred communication pad where the resident needs to swipe a finger on the pad with printed alphabets and digits (we called it communication pad). A camera placed over the communication pad detects the finger movement of the resident and extract the message to display on the computer screen or the tablet. Our tracking method is robust and can track the fingers even in varying illumination conditions. This paper also covers the main steps of design methods with various design prototypes and its user feedback. Result analysis of different design modules and user experience evaluation shows that our designed system has provided independence and convenience to the resident in conveying a message successfully.