Hi all,

I have been working on an idea for augmenting a gaze driven computer based communication system for non verbal autistics over the last 3 years, and have drafted a project proposal last year which I would like to submit for funding in the next months. I am now looking for collaborators. During this time, a hospital working with autistic populations have expressed interest in taking part, as have an eye tracking company, who would be in a position to develop suitable hardware, and another company working on computer based communication systems for persons with disabilities. The project needs experts in the neuropsychology of learning disabilities and differential visual perception and attention, particularly eye movements and attention in autism. This falls within my area of expertise, but it would be great to make contact with others working in this area. We will also need expertise in the development of communication interfaces, and people working with current approaches to communication systems for this population, such as the PECS or similar. If you would like a copy of the draft proposal as we have compiled it last year, and are interested in getting in contact, please drop me a mail at mulvey@gmail.com. If you think this is a good idea and just want to make a comment or if you have some criticisms please leave your comment here. This proposal would fall under the original plans of COGAIN to develop gaze based communication systems for persons with disability, moving from physical disability into the cognitive domain. Thus, it could be a very relevant project under the auspices of the COGAIN association. I am offering this idea to anyone wishing to collaborate within academic or industrial members of the COGAIN association, or any group who would be willing to join COGAIN on this initiative.

Best wishes,