Accessible button interfaces: improving accessibility for brain-injured and other disabled users

The number of people with brain injuries is increasing, as more people who suffer injuries survive. Some of these patients are aware of their surroundings but almost entirely unable to move or communicate. Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) can enable this group of people to use computers to communicate and carry out simple tasks in a limited manner. BCIs tend to be hard to navigate in a controlled manner, and so the use of “one button” user interfaces is explored. This one button concept can not only be used brain injured personnel with BCIs but by other categories of disabled individuals too with alternative point and click devices. A number of accessible button interfaces are described, some of which have already been implemented by the authors.