Instructions for Scanning
With this approach, the partner (the person who the user wants to speak with) points to each letter on a display. When he gets to the letter the user wants to communicate, the user indicates that the desired letter has been presented through a prearranged signal, e.g., head nod, smile, etc.
M.S. Kanzandijian, Communication & Swallowing Solutions in the ALS Community, A CINI Manual, Singular, San Diego, 1997
The rate of this process can be increased by using a row column scanning approach, where the partner points to each row of letters. When he reaches the row that contains the desired letter, the user indicates so. The partner then points to each letter within the row until the user again indicates his desired selection.
Pointing to each row and column of the display can be eliminated by having the partner say the first letter of each row aloud ("A, E, I. . . ") and then each letter within the row.
The process will continue until the entire message is received by the partner.
Have a pen and paper available to write down each letter of the message if necessary.
The use of SPACE and NUMBERS can be used in the same way as described for the direct selection through eye movement.
Helpful Hints
Use of BACK SPACE (MISTAKE)
The Back Space functions much as a back space used when typing. When the partner has made an error in naming the letter/number the user has selected, or the user has made an error in the letter/number he has selected, the user can indicate the intended letter by looking at Back Space, then looking at the intended letter.
Use of START OVER
The user will select this when he feels that there has been such a miscommunication as to warrant starting over the spelling of the message.
EyeLink was designed and manufactured in collaboration with Zygo Industries, Inc.