Assistive Technology Review: "The SmartNav"

During my assistive technology class I was introduced to a tool that can assist individuals with disabilities or the inability to use their arms and hands. Technology is one of the largest trends worldwide. Everyone should have the opportunity to be involved in the various innovations and technological advances that come into existence yearly. There are several basic and stereotypical characteristics of each disability category from medical, physical, educational, and psychological. The results from these characteristics are intertwined with 13 specific categories for students age 3 through 21 years to receive special education services. Among a few of these include multiple disabilities, speech and language impairment, and most severe orthopedic impairment. Individuals who suffer from this impairment can include physical problems such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spina bifida. These physical conditions affect educational performance and can be due to disease, genetic anomalies, or other causes. These problems require adaptations with devices and equipment to help accommodate their needs. That’s why I’m introducing you to the SMARTNAV head pointer. This is a hand free mouse alternative that is a reliable device which gives the user full control by moving their head. This is a inexpensive priced mouse that is good for people with good head control to completely navigate their computer. According to Naturalpoint.com, a mini reflective dot is stuck to the person’s forehead, eyeglass frame, hat, hand or tip of the nose. It includes a monitor-mounted transmitter and receiver that launches infrared beams.When launched out, it can sense reflections from the tiny dot. According to Naturalpoint.com, the individual is able to left click, right click, double click, and drag by holding the cursor still. You can place the SMARTNAV on top of your computer monitor, but be sure that it faces you. For laptop users, it can even be clipped to it. It can be positioned just about anywhere as long as it can notice the reflective piece of clothing, hat or other accessory the person is wearing. I definitely recommend looking into this assistive device. Students orthopedic impairments can make use of this tool with an alternative method of using their head. The more the student uses this tool, they will become more comfortable and more confident. Students have with poor fine motor skills can feel a sense of inclusion and can perform operations on a computer the same as their non-disabled peers.