Executive Summary:

Every year in the United States, thousands of infants are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP), a group of disorders affecting nervous system and motor functions. There are several types of CP with varying levels of symptoms, ranging anywhere from abnormal muscle contractions and loss of coordination to partial paralysis and loss of speech capabilities. While most people living with CP are able to process information efficiently, they may not have the motor skills necessary to communicate their ideas with others. It is therefore a necessity that they have assistive technology that can form a medium of communication for them.

Our team was tasked with designing a joystick to function as the primary input interface to a computer for individuals living with Cerebral Palsy (CP). We have developed a programmable joystick that provides local support at designated positions, valuable in controlling the involuntary muscle spasms common to those with CP. The number of positions and the strength of the stabilizing mechanism can be selected by the user through a USB computer interface to meet the specific needs of different CP cases. The new joystick was completed on schedule, within our provided budget constraint. With this new design, people living with CP will now have a more efficient means of communication that is tailored to fit their specific abilities.