| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disorder impacting motor neurons crucial for voluntary muscle movement, poses significant challenges for affected individuals. In Pakistan, an estimated 3.5 per 100,000 people grapple with this debilitating condition. The primary focus of our project is to address the communication difficulties faced by ALS patients due to muscle weakness and loss of motor function. We propose the development of an intuitive application that integrates eye-gaze technology with a comprehensive ”Phrase Bank,” complemented by voice output capabilities. This innovative approach allows patients to select phrases and images by simply gazing at them on a screen, significantly reducing the physical effort required for communication, particularly as ALS progresses. Recognizing the importance of familiar phrases in everyday communication, our application includes a dynamic ”Phrase Bank.” This feature acts as a readily accessible repository of commonly used phrases and sentences, offering patients a collection of vital expressions to convey their needs, emotions, and thoughts. Navigating through this collection becomes an effortless task for users, ensuring the application remains both intuitive and efficient. While the precise cause of ALS remains elusive, with genetics believed to play a role in some cases, our project takes a proactive approach, focusing on improving the lives of individuals with ALS by providing innovative tools to enhance communication. This aims to enable a more fulfilling and connected life despite the challenges posed by the disease. |
*** Title, author list and abstract as submitted during Camera-Ready version delivery. Small changes that may have occurred during processing by Springer may not appear in this window.