A Better Life in Digital World: Using Eye-Gaze Technology to Enhance Life Quality of Physically Disabled People

As in the field of assistive technologies, the eye-tracking devices have occupied a major role, the next chapter proposes a model of implementation of such technologies, as an everyday tool, used by people with severe physical impairments, while analyzing their overall life satisfaction, in order to provide insights of how eye-tracking technologies can enhance life perception and satisfaction. Types of eye-tracking technologies are presented, along with their operational models, advantages, disadvantages and user recommendations. One of the models was used to analyze life satisfaction of physically disabled adults, in a before and after study. In general, physically disabled people, with a severe degree of their disabilities, do not have access to many ways in which they can communicate with their caregivers. This is why, the eye-tracking technology may become an indispensable tool, that comes as a replacement of their ability to speak. Although the possibility to communicate through assistive technology may sound good, it may request assistance and help in order to set, learn and master the assistive technology. This may be the main obstacle that the families or caregivers may encounter. Thus, the entire process of setting the technology, providing assistance and learning to master an eye-gaze technology is analyzed and presented in detail. The chapter ends with overall recommendations on how to implement an eye-gaze technology, in order to enhance life satisfaction of physically disabled persons.