Brenda Frierson (left) with UCP Group Facilitator, Jody Cohen

Using One's Foot for AAC
Brenda Frierson

Brenda Frierson—Using all her resources

Clearly the one constant in assistive technology is that no two people use the same device in the same way. Beside individual uses and applications, all users interact with assistive devices in a unique, personal way. Brenda Frierson, a consumer at United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago, is an illuminating example, for she accesses assistive technology—and the physical world in general—using only the toes on her right foot.

A native Chicagoan, Brenda was born with cerebral palsy and is not able to walk, use her hands, or speak. However, Brenda was also born with an iron will: Around kindergarten-age, she taught herself to pick up and move objects with her toes. Today Brenda uses just her toes and a joystick to operate her motorized wheelchair, use a computer, eat, write, or activate her Dynavox 2—an alternative augmentative communication device (AAC). Brenda exerts a great deal of physical energy operating each device, but always seems to accept it matter-of-factly. At one time Brenda held a data entry job with Seguin Services (listed below) and hopes to obtain a job using a computer in the future.

Brenda operating joystick with her left foot

For someone without the ability to speak, she is a strong communicator, engaging direct eye contact with listeners as she releases synthetic voice-output from her Dynavox 2 AAC unit. She may be using synthetic speech, but there's no mistaking that the message comes from Brenda. It's a good thing someone as communicative and sociable as she is has an assistive device to handle the "mechanics" of speech. Brenda also uses Intellikeys, a keyboard overlay system, and various computer programs. For everything else, Brenda relies on her own powers!

Known as "Toes" by her friends, Brenda laughs easily and enjoys many interests—music being her favorite, particularly Blues and Gospel. Brenda plays the keyboard with her toes and reads music. She also likes movies and relaxing with friends (Brenda emails them too) or a good book.

Brenda lives in Cicero, Illinois in an assisted living residence. She has a roommate and a weekend caretaker to help with daily living tasks. She learns independent living skills and computer skills at several UCP offices in and around the Chicago area.

People with disabilities often express an extraordinary tenacity as they tackle the many obstacles in the physical world. Many of us emerge strengthened from the struggle, but few have to work so hard just to move, while still keeping a smile. Brenda's smile is something that stays with you.

Resources
For information about all of UCP Programs & Services visit http://www.ucpnet.org

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago
Infinitec — Employment Services — Early Intervention
160 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-1601
Phone: (312) 368-0380
Fax: (312) 368-0018
TDD (312) 368-0179

Southwest Suburbs
Infinitec Southwest
Assistive Technology Exchange Network (ATEN)
c/o Howe Center
7600 West 183rd Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Phone: (708) 444-2836
Fax (708) 429-3981
Toll-free (800) 476-2836
Near West Suburbs

Trutter Center Adult Services
Assistive Technology Exchange Network (ATEN)
3145 South 55th Avenue
Cicero, IL 60650-3910
Phone: (708) 863-1186
Fax: (708) 863-1189

Levinson Center Adult Services
332 West Harrison Street
Oak Park, IL 60304-1557
Phone: (708) 383-8887
Fax (708) 383-9123

Far West Suburbs
Infinitec West
Arthur & Mary Rubloff Building
826 South Addison Street
Villa Park, IL 60181
Phone: (630) 620-4433

Seguin Services
http://www.seguin.org/
3100 S. Central Ave.
Cicero, IL 60804
Phone: (708) 863-3803
Fax: (708) 863-3863
TTY: (708) 863-7653
Seguin offers a community supported living arrangement program (Medicaid reimbursed) which is individually tailored support services to reinforce and enhance participant's existing social networks and enable them to live in their own home or apartment near significant others. Other services through CSLA include: in-home habilitation, personal assistance, 24-hour emergency assistance, adaptive equipment and minor modifications to the home, case coordination and service facilitation.

Dyna Vox (a division of Sunrise Medical)
Producers of an entire line of augmentative communication devices.
http://www.dynavoxsys.com/
1-888-697-7332.

Intellikeys and Intellikeys Products
By Synapse Adaptive, producers of communication tools
http://www.synapseadaptive.com/intellitools/IntelliKeys.html
3095 Kerner Blvd., Suite S
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (888) 285-9988
Fax: (415) 455-9801
info@synapseadaptive.com

Note: Infinitec Inc. does not endorse or recommend the above-mentioned products and has no liability for the results of their use. Infinitec Inc. has received no consideration of any type for featuring this product on this Web site. The information offered herein is a summary; it is not comprehensive and should be carefully evaluated by consumers with the assistance of qualified professionals. The intention of Infinitec Inc. is to offer consumers a brief overview of various assistive technology devices and their applications.