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ASL is and continues to be a pioneer in this industry. We were the first to introduce many of the driver controls and switches that are commonly used today. We are proud of this tradition and believe that it starts with a strong relationship and respect for the participant. When we can be involved in making someone new drive or work a computer, that is when we are at our happiest. Who knows next month, you may be in one of these stories! |
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ASL 101
A bright 7-year-old girl who was in manual chair in Lake Jackson, Texas had only one switch site. She was using single switch scanning on her communication device. I designed a single switch scanner for driver control with an auxiliary port for the communication device. The switch that was used to drive the power chair could also control the communication device. |
 ASL 105 I had been using mechanical switches at the head for directional control of a power chair. These switches required sustained pressure for movement activation. I noticed that people with CP equated pressure with movement and when they exerted pressure an AT&R reflex occurred. I had seen proximity sensors while on a Coca Cola bottling tour. These sensors required no pressure or touch for activation. I figured that they could be used for power chair control and designed the first head array.
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 ASL 106 Shortly after designing the ASL 105 head array, I realized that proximity sensors could be used by individuals with limited functional hand movement and designed the proximity tray array. |
ASL 108
I had seen fiber optic switches in the same bottling plant tour where I first saw proximity sensors. I met an individual with MD who no longer could use a joystick but had finger movement. I put 4 fiber optic switches in a lap tray and he was able to operate his power chair with minimal finger movement.
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 ASL 107 Was designed by James Pham, while working on a drive system for an individual with very limited movement. |
ASL 109
Rucker Ashmore and Lisa Rotelli conceived the sip and puff head array in 1994 while working with a C1-2 quad who could not differentiate between a hard and soft sip or puff. He had minimal lateral head control. We put sensors in a headrest for right and left turn, together with a sip and puff system where any puff equaled forward and any sip equaled reverse regardless of pressure or volume.
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ASL 504 I had a neighbor whose son had MD. He got his first power chair and was mobile again for the first time in over a year. His parents were thrilled. About a week after he got his chair his dad came to see me. He said the chair is great but we have one problem - when Josh’s mother calls him and tells him it is time to come in the house he runs from her. Can you help me he asked? So I designed the remote emergency stop switch.
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