Apply for an EagleEyes System
What is EagleEyes?
EagleEyes is an innovative technology developed at Boston College that enables communication and learning primarily with individuals who have congenital severe special needs. These individuals are most often non-verbal, paralyzed, and at most have a "Yes/No" method of communicating with those around them. Generally this is used with individuals who's only controlled muscular movement is their eyes.
How Does it Work?
Basically, the mouse pointer follows the location that the user is looking at on the screen. The eyes replace the mouse. Selection is made by looking at a small area of the screen for a short period of time, which causes a mouse click. Usable with any commercial software, EagleEyes is a general mouse replacement that is based on measuring a user's EOG or electro-oculographic potential. The EOG is a small electrical potential which indicates the position of the eye relative to the head. Surface electrodes are placed on the user's head, above and below one eye, and on each side of the head to the left and right of the eyes. The five electrodes are connected to a small battery-powered electrophysiological amplifier which is connected to a computer. A program in the computer translates the signals received from the electrodes into the position of the mouse pointer on the screen. When the user moves his or her eyes, the mouse pointer moves.
What has been Accomplished?
EagleEyes training is facilitated by the Opportunity Foundation of America and the Boston College Campus School.
The EagleEyes technology is manufactured by Sanmina-SCI in West Valley City, Utah and Plastic Fabricating in Salt Lake City. A donation of $1,200.00 to the Foundation is requested to cover manufacturing cost of each EagleEyes system.
Who is a good candidate for EagleEyes?
- EagleEyes is a system for controlling the computer using your eyes.
- EagleEyes can take a while to learn to use. Most people who use EagleEyes have tried other access technologies and are not able to use them.
- If a person has no physical disabilities then usually the person would use a mouse or track pad to control the computer.
- If a person can speak clearly then the person might use a voice control system like "Dragon Dictate", www.Enablemart.com
- If a person has some reliable voluntary muscle control then the person might use a switch interface
- If a person has voluntary head control then the person might use a head control system like "Camera Mouse", www.cameramouse.org
- A person who can only move his or her eyes voluntarily is a candidate for an eye control system like EagleEyes. A plus would be if the person does not have head spasms. Many people who begin using EagleEyes have never had a communication method and are totally locked in. Often it is impossible to know of their cognitive ability before using EagleEyes as they have had no way to express themselves.
If you feel your family member is a candidate for the EagleEyes technology, please take time to review the EagleEyes User's Manual (pdf).
Email any questions to Debbie Inkley at:
We also provide assistance with fundraising events and financial assitance to help you aquire your EagleEyes system. Contact us for more information.
You can also fill out and submit the online EagleEyes Application. Your information will be held confidential and you will receive a phone call within three days.
EagleEyes systems are currently being used in the following locations:
- Boston College-Chestnut Hill, MA
- Brigham Young University-Provo, UT
- Weber School District-Ogden, UT
- Ogden School District-Ogden, UT
- Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind-UT
- Jordan Valley School-Midvale, UT
- Kauri Sue Hamilton School-Riverton, UT
- Oakridge School-Springville, UT
- Trinity Services-Joilet, IL
- Educational Service Center-San Antonio, TX
- School for the Divine Child-Cork, Ireland
- Hogan Regional Center-Hathorne, MA
- Fall River School-Fall River,MA
- Shore Educational Collaborative-Chelsea, MA
- Box Elder School District-Brigham City, Utah
- Hartvigsen, School-SLC, Utah
- Roy Elementary School- Roy, UT
- Maeser Elementary School-Roosevelt, UT
- Heartland Area Educational Agency-Johnston, IA
- Old Village Cooke School-Northville, MI
- Wayne County school District, Wayne, MI
What is the Future for EagleEyes?
There are thousands of children and adults in the US and UK who could benefit from EagleEyes. Expanding the distribution of this great technology to meet the need is dependent upon generous personal donations and grants from private foundations.
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