Intelligent Model to Rate Physical and Visual Capabilities for Person-Centered Computer Access

摘要

People with disabilities often have difficulty in accessing computers, which is essential for their intellectual and emotional development, and for providing support for independent living. Physical disabilities limit ranges of motion and strength, while visual disabilities affect acuity, field of vision, tracking, and sensitivity to color, contrast and light. The difficulty to precisely measure physical and visual capabilities for computer access can be resolved by using fuzzy logic, which can handle uncertain hypotheses and imprecise conclusions. In this research, a fuzzy rule-based architecture using the Mamdani model for a personcentered computer access assessment system (PCAAS) is designed using physical and visual capability ratings. Physical capability is rated using physical therapy evaluation results, while visual capability is rated using the results of clinical vision diagnoses. The PCAAS recommends an appropriate combination of user interface devices and software applications for people with disabilities for computer access. These recommendations are compared against the actual recommendations made in computer access assessment reports previously completed at Community Resources for Independence located in Erie, Pennsylvania and found to be the same. This research is applicable at centers for independent living for automating computer access assessments, which will enable people with disabilities to live more independently.