NaviGaze: enabling access to digital media for the profoundly disabled

Graphical interfaces have become dominant in today's computer environment. These interfaces typically consist of windows, icons, menus, and buttons that require the use of some continuous-input pointing device. Common examples of these devices include mice, styli, trackballs, touchpads, and joysticks. However, all of these devices are designed to be controlled by the user's hands. This places people who can't use their hands (amputees, quadriplegics, those with muscular disorders) at a serious disadvantage in using the computer. Therefore, there is a need for systems capable of controlling the mouse pointer without requiring hand manipulation. Because many disabled people still have significant control of their head motion, head tracking is a logical choice. We have developed a non-intrusive head tracking system for cursor control, coupled with eye blink recognition to emulate mouse clicking. The system, called NaviGaze, still allows the use of a standard mouse and keyboard, making it ideal for use in public computing environments.