No matter what type of cerebral palsy a person has, cerebral palsy limits their independence to a certain extent. Technology has helped people with disabilities so much. Independence is amazing especially when you have such a limited range of freedom. Technology has improved the quality life of thousands of people who have significant disabilities. I know each time that I can do an action for myself, the feeling is indescribable. This week in the news, two children have experienced the unexpected thanks to advances in technology.
First, Kyleigh is a girl with cerebral palsy. She cannot speak, but uses a device to help her express herself. Kyleigh uses her gaze to control her device, but being able to close or open her bedroom door was still not possible. However, thanks to technology, now she can feel that excited feeling of having a bit more independence. Bill Binko has recently created a video of Kyleigh using her new automatic IoT door opener by herself.
Binko is the co-founder of an organization called ATMakers. ATMakers are a group of people who create technology and want to improve the quality of life for people who have disabilities. They recently designed the automatic door opener and demonstrated it with their video. They still want to work out a few design elements, but essentially it works really well. Kyleigh has two icons on her device that she can look at one icon to open the door and another one to shut the door.
In addition to the door element, Kyleigh can also use Alexa via Amazon Echo. Simply by having her device to give Alexa commands such as controlling the lights, music, locks, and television. Alexa has bought freedom not only to Kyleigh but to many people who have disabilities that makes doing everyday tasks difficult. https://hackaday.com/2018/01/27/iot-doorman-eye-controlled-door-for-a-girl-with-cerebral-palsy/
The second child impacted by technology this week is nine-year old, Hayes Hutto. Like most children, Hutto would like to have more friends and be accepted for who he is. But, unlike most kids, Hutto has cerebral palsy and finding friendships that truly accept him is difficult. A non-profit organization called “Special Books by Special Kids” share stories of children with disabilities to their over a million readers from around the world. Hutto is one of the stories that they shared.
In a YouTube video, Hutto made a simple requests all he wanted was to have friends that accepted him and want to play. The video now has over 500,000 views on Facebook and 50,000 views on YouTube!! The response has been phenomenal and has touched a nerve in people’s hearts.
Technology has helped people be more independent to levels that are simply amazing. Technology also has made communication so much easier to make and find friends even worldwide. Even a few decades ago, people who have disabilities didn’t have the technology that they do currently. Doors are wide open for us to wheel right in and enjoy the freedoms we can.
originally published by Jessica Grono on Cerebral palsy News Today
