Caeski: an assistive technology for the communication of persons with deafblindness

Abstract

Purpose

Caeski is a keyboard with 12 vibrating keys that connects to an application via smartphone. This assistive technology aims to facilitate the communication of persons with deafblindness in presential contexts or with people who can be anywhere in the world. The purpose is to present this assistive technology and analyse the viability of its use through tests with eleven persons with deafblindness.

Materials and methods

The study design consisted of ten days of testing with eleven persons with deafblindness and five interpreters who had the function of passing the information about the content of the tests.

Results

The tests showed that most participants were able to communicate through Caeski. In addition, the tests showed the need to add the function of repeating the reception of information via vibration to confirm the understanding. The results demonstrated the need for more training time to improve the learning of accented words and long sentences. Therefore, training time and previous contact with technological devices are factors that influence the result of the tests.

Conclusion

The use of Caeski is feasible and as future perspectives, this assistive technology can be used in association with similar assistive technologies such as Perkins Machine and Braille Line, preventing possible tactile overloads. In addition, can be applied in the educational context, from literacy to university. Studies with longer training time should be conducted to confirm the results.

The implications for rehabilitation:

• Social interactions, presential and online, with deafblind and non-deafblind persons anywhere in the world.

• Literacy and cognitive development of persons with deafblindness.

• Digital inclusion for occupational, school or academic contexts.

Keywords:

• Assistive technology
• accessibility
• deafblindness
• communication
• person with deafblindness
• dual sensory loss

View correction statement:

Correction

Acknowledgements

This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais through the Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Appreciation (CAAE 09925612.9.0000.5149). The development of the project also obtained a partnership and support from the Brazilian civil, philanthropic and non-profit organizations, the Educational Association for Multiple Disabilities (AHIMSA) and the National Federation of Education and Integration of the Deaf (FENEIS) for the selection of volunteers with deafblindness who part of research with devices was incorporated with the Caeski.

Disclosure statement

Me, Taciana Ramos Luz, wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interests associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. I confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. I further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all.

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2334638)

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001.