Ean’s been a LipSync (new window) user from the beginning.
In 2017, after the first open source LipSyncs were built, Ean had already agreed to be a beta tester. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type II), which affects all of his movements — he can only move his head and jaw slightly, as well as his thumbs, which he uses to move the joystick for his power wheelchair, as well as use a variety of switches.
However, before he could even try the LipSync, he broke his right arm in an accident. While he had initially intended to give feedback on the new device, now he really needed to use it.
“Immediately I phoned Neil Squire, and said I need this more than ever, because I can’t work,” he shares. “It showed up in the mail right away, and as soon as we set it up, I was able to start work again.”
Ean is the Peer Team Lead and Innovation Strategist for Technology for Living (new window), and serves on the Board of Directors for the Tetra Society of North America (new window), AbleSail Okanagan (new window), and Canadian Assisted Travel Society (new window). He also runs his own business, ICAN Resource Group Inc (new window), focusing on digital universal design, assistive technology, and accessible travel consulting.
The LipSync, with the mouth joystick and sip and puff functionality, allows Ean to keep his busy schedule.
However, Ean had a few issues with the initial LipSync. The screw-on tip for the mouth joystick was a hard plastic, and irritated his lips, after using it for 12-14 hours a day. He also noticed that after using the LipSync for a long period of time, that the cursor would start to drift, and he’d need a new LipSync.
“But I used it for years, and I couldn’t find anything better,” he says. He tried various other assistive devices, including eye tracking software and other mouth joysticks, but nothing came close to the original LipSync.
That was until he received the new LipSync earlier this year as one of the first users of the new design.
“I absolutely love it,” he says. “It’s wonderful, all of the issues that I’d expressed have been fixed, I’ve been using it for a couple of months now.
“You guys knocked it out of the park. It’s exactly what I’ve been dreaming of for over 10 years.”
The new LipSync has been designed to be more comfortable to use, right from a softer mouthpiece to requiring less force to use the mouth joystick. The joystick apparatus has been completely redesigned to reduce the cursor drift issue.
Ean quite enjoys the new features of the new LipSync. With the new LipSync Hub, he can switch settings like sip and puff and joystick sensitivity by himself, and now he can easily switch between devices. He also appreciates the new rotatable design, allowing him to orient the LipSync properly at the angle he wants it mounted.
“I can honestly say I would not be able to work as efficiently as I can now without the LipSync. I haven’t found anything that works even close to the LipSync, allowing me to not only work, but connect with my peers and community virtually,” he says.
Throughout the development of the LipSync and the new iteration, Ean has been providing feedback to the Makers Making Change (new window) research and development team, helping them shape the new design. And now, he loves the new LipSync.
“I’m extremely grateful Neil Squire and Makers Making Change have taken on this initiative,” he says. “I know they’ve received a lot of feedback from people with disabilities, and I feel they’ve created an incredible product.”
This post originally appeared on the Makers Making Change (new window) website.