Motor neurone disease - Communication options

[Nuro]

So a close family member has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Since I'm the only semi tech-savvy person they know, they turned to me for advice around around eye trackers for communication, of course I'm completely out of my depth here. I'm hoping someone has some practical advice, I see there are a couple of options - iPad based solutions, dedicated hardware etc.
The problem is I don't know of anyone that has gone through this and what's available, especially in SA, and nobody really talks about total cost of ownership. They do have medical aid, for what it's worth.
Any advice? Thanks

 

[saor]

Moving their eyes is the only viable/reliable gesture they can perform? I'm assuming that voice or anything else has already been considered. Not familiar with their condition so just asking what's available as a form of input.

 

[animal531]

Maybe try googling for international forums that are more dedicated to this kind of problem, you should get better info there.

 

[Nuro]

Moving their eyes is the only viable/reliable gesture they can perform? I'm assuming that voice or anything else has already been considered. Not familiar with their condition so just asking what's available as a form of input.

Yeah, voice has become very strained, getting worse, and recently his fingers started giving issues when using a mouse.

 

[KingMikel]

Where are you based?

Google AAC (Alternative Augmentative Communication)

Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Pretoria, South Africa. 2,147 likes · 280 talking about this · 51 were here. We focus on research, education and advocacy in Augmentative and...

www.facebook.com

My child can play | Speak2Me

www.speak2me.co.za

 

[krieg]

Have a look at Eyegaze.

 

[grok]

Isn't Musk working on some brain/neural implant/interface?

I kind of remember he owns a company that research that stuff.

 

[Nuro]

Thanks for the responses everyone. There's a couple of good products on the market, but to get them here or even worse, get a demo is difficult. I have made contact with two local companies that supply hardware, I'll see how it goes.