Eye Control Questionnaire

COGAIN (www.cogain.org) is a 5-year European Project that is dedicated to making progress with Eye Control Technology.  An essential part of this project is to actively involve people with disabilities and those who support them in order to continue to bring about improvements with this type of technology for the benefit of those who need or choose to use it.  As you will see, the questionnaire aims to 1) gain an insight into how people feel when they are using their eye control system; 2) identify how using an eye control system compares with using other computer control methods (if applicable); and 3) explore the amount of time that individuals typically spend using their eye control system, and if applicable their other computer control methods also. 

This questionnaire has been forwarded to you for your informed input and comments because you have purchased and are currently using an eye control system.  

Before giving your opinions below we would like to ask the following questions:

Do you use other methods apart from eye control to access the computer? (Please delete as appropriate)
Yes/ No

If the answer is yes, please can you tell us which other computer control methods you use (for example a switch/ joystick/ head mouse etc?) ………………………………………..........................................................…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

If the answer is no, is this because eye control is your only effective method of computer control? 
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In a typical week on average how many hours in the day do you spend using your eye control system?  (For example, 2/ 4/ 6/ 8/ 10/ 12 hours in the day)
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In a typical week on average how many hours in the day do you spend using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable)? (For example, 2/ 4/ 6/ 8/ 10/ 12 hours in the day)
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In a typical month on average how many days in the week do you spend using your eye control system?  (For example, 1/ 3/ 5/ 7 days in the week)
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In a typical month on average how many days in the week do you spend using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable)?  (For example, 1/ 3/ 5/ 7 days in the week)
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What activities (for example writing, playing games, controlling the environment etc) are easy for you to do with your eye control system?
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What activities (for example writing, playing games, controlling the environment etc) are easy for you to do with your other computer control method(s) (if applicable)?
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What activities (for example writing, playing games, controlling the environment etc) are difficult for you to do with your eye control system? ………………………………………………………………………….………………………….………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
What activities (for example writing, playing games, controlling the environment etc) are difficult for you to do with your other computer control method(s) (if applicable)?
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What activities (for example writing, playing games, controlling the environment etc) are impossible for you to do with your eye control system?
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What activities (for example writing, playing games, controlling the environment etc) are impossible for you to do with your other computer control method(s) (if applicable)?
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On a scale of 1 to 4 where 1 means I agree strongly and 4 means I disagree strongly, please score how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the statements below.  Please add your additional comments in relation to your answers.  Some simple examples of comments have been given as a guide only. 
Using Eye Control And Other Computer Control Methods 

Statement

	(1)

I  agree 
strongly	(2)

I agree 

	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly	Additional Comments
	
Using my eye control system is tiring for my eyes 

					If you find using your eye control system is tiring for your eyes, please say in what ways it is tiring.  For example, maintaining focus is effortful; my eye muscles ache; looking at the screen gives me a headache, etc.	
Using my other computer control method(s) is tiring for my eyes (if applicable)

					If you find using your other computer method(s) is tiring for your eyes, please say in what ways it is tiring for you.  For example, I have to shift my visual attention from the screen to other parts of my body; the physical demands affect my posture and subsequently my viewing angle which makes looking at the screen tiring over time; my eye muscles ache etc. 
   	
Statement

	(1)

I  agree 
strongly	(2)

I agree 
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly	Additional Comments
	
I feel comfortable using my eye control system

					Please add your comments relating to comfort and using your eye control system here.  For example, I am / am not comfortable using my eye control system because I am able/ not able to maintain a good posture; I am able/ not able to use my eye control system from my most comfortable position; my eye control system is effortful/ effortless to use, etc.

I feel comfortable using my other computer control method(s) (if applicable)

					Please add your comments relating to comfort and using your other computer control method(s) here (if applicable).   Please see the examples given above and say in what ways you feel that using your other computer control method(s) is or is not comfortable.

	
Eye control is painful for my eyes 

					If you find using your eye control system is painful for your eyes, please say in what ways it is painful.  For example, my eyes become sore, heavy, irritated, dry, red etc.

	
Statement

	(1)

I  agree 
strongly	(2)

I agree 
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly	Additional Comments
	
Using my other computer control method(s) is painful for my eyes (if applicable)

 

					If you find using your other computer control method(s) is painful for your eyes (if applicable), please say in what ways it is painful.  For example, my eyes become sore, heavy, irritated, dry, red etc

	
I feel relaxed when I am using my eye control system 

					Please say in what ways you do or do not feel relaxed when you are using your eye control system.  For example, using my eye control system is/ is not physically demanding; it feels effortful/ effortless to use; I know I will be successful/ unsuccessful, etc.

	
I feel relaxed when I am using my other computer control method(s) (if applicable)					Please say in what ways you do or do not feel relaxed when you are using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable).  Please see the examples given above.

	
Statement

	(1)

I  agree 
strongly	(2)

I agree 
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
Strongly	Additional Comments	
Using my eye control system is physically tiring for my body 

					If using your eye control system is physically tiring for your body, please say in what ways it is physically tiring.  For example, ongoing repetitive movement is tiring; the required muscle coordination is/is not effortful; my muscles ache, etc.

	
Using my other computer control method(s) is physically tiring for my body (if applicable).

					If using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable) is physically tiring for your body, please say in what ways it is physically tiring.  Please see the examples given above.

	
I feel able to concentrate well when I am using my eye control system

					Please say in what ways you are able or are not able to concentrate well when using your eye control system.  For example, I am able/not able to focus my visual attention on the computer screen easily; I am distracted by having to move my body; it is/is not tiring to use, etc.

	
Statement

	(1)

I  agree 
strongly	(2)

I agree 
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
Strongly	Additional Comments	
I feel able to concentrate well using my other computer control  method(s) (if applicable)

					Please say in what ways you are able or are not able to concentrate well when using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable).  For example, I am able/not able to focus my visual attention on the computer screen easily; I am distracted by having to move my body; it is/is not tiring to use, etc.

	
Using my eye control system is painful for my body

					If using your eye control system is painful for your body, please say in what ways it is painful.  For example, my neck feels strained; I have to twist my body in order to use my eye control system; my muscle tone increases, etc. 

	
Using my other computer control method(s) is painful for my body (if applicable)

					If using your other computer control method(s) is painful for your body (if applicable), please say in what ways it is painful.  Please see the examples given above.   

	
Statement

	(1)

I  agree 
strongly	(2)

I agree	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
Strongly	Additional Comments	
I feel increased muscle tension when I am using my eye control system 

					If you feel increased muscle tension when you are using your eye control system, please say whereabouts in your body you experience this e.g. my face/ neck/shoulders etc.  Please say why you feel that using your eye control system increases your muscle tension, for example, maintaining a good posture whilst using my eye control system is/is not difficult, etc.

I feel increased muscle tension when I am using my other computer control method(s) (if applicable).

					If you feel increased muscle tension when you are using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable), please say whereabouts in your body you experience this.  Please say why you feel that using your other computer control method(s) increases your muscle tension.  Please see the example given above. 

	

On a scale of 1 to 4 where 1 means I agree strongly and 4 means I disagree strongly, please score how highly you agree or disagree with each of the statements below. Please add your additional comments in relation to your answers

Using Eye Control And Other Computer Control Methods

Statement	(1)

I agree 
strongly

	(2)

I agree

	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly

Additional comments	
Independent control of my computer is important to me

					

	
I have independent control of my computer using my eye control system

					If you do not have independent control, please say in what ways you do not have independent control and would like to have more independent control 

	

Statement

	(1)

I agree 
strongly
	(2)

I agree
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly
	
Additional comments	
I have independent control of my computer using my other computer control method(s) (if applicable)

					If you do not have independent control using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable), please say in what ways you do not have independent control and would like to have more independent control

	
I am able to access areas of the computer that are important to me using my eye control system (e.g. files and folders) 

					If you are not able to access important areas of your computer when you are using your eye control system, please say which areas of the computer you would like to be able to access more easily

	
I am able to access areas of the computer that are important to me using my other computer control method(s) (e.g. files and folders) 

					If you are not able to access important areas of the computer when you are using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable), please say which areas of the computer you would like to be able to access more easily

	
Statement

	(1)

I agree 
strongly
	(2)

I agree
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly
	Additional comments	
The speed at which I am able to write is important to me (if applicable)

					

	
I am satisfied with the speed at which I am able to eye write using my eye control system (if applicable)

					Please say how you write using your eye control system.  If you are not satisfied with the speed at which you are able to write, please say in what ways you would like to be able to write more quickly.

	
I am satisfied with the speed at which I am able to write using my other computer control method(s) (if applicable)

					Please say how you write using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable).  If you are not satisfied with the speed at which you are able to write, please say in what ways you would like to be able to write more quickly. 

	
Statement

	(1)

I agree 
strongly
	(2)

I agree
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly
	Additional comments

	
The speed at which I am able to communicate is important to me

					Please describe the variety of ways in which you communicate using your eye control system and (if applicable) with your other computer control method(s) also. 
	
I am satisfied with the speed at which I am able to communicate when using my eye control system 

					If you are not satisfied with your speed of communication when you are using your eye control system, please say in what ways you would like to be able to communicate more quickly
 	
I am satisfied with the speed at which I am able to communicate when using my other computer control method(s) (if applicable)

					If you are not satisfied with your speed of communication when you are using your other computer control method(s) (if applicable), please say in what ways you would like to be able to communicate more quickly
	
Statement

	(1)

I agree 
strongly
	(2)

I agree
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly
	Additional comments
	
Being accurate when I am using my computer is important to me

						
I feel that I am able to use my eye control system accurately 

					If you are not able to use eye control accurately, please say in what ways you would like to be able to use your eye control system more accurately.	
I feel that I am able to use my other computer control method(s) accurately (if applicable)

					If you are not able to use your other computer control method(s) accurately (if applicable), please say in what ways you would like to be able to use your other computer control method(s) more accurately	
Statement

	(1)

I agree 
strongly
	(2)

I agree
	(3)

I disagree
	(4)

I disagree
strongly
	Additional comments	
I feel able to do my job (if you are employed) / or to be able to study effectively (if applicable) using my eye control system

					Please describe how you use your eye control system for employment or study purposes (if applicable).  If you feel that you are not as effective as you would like to be in this capacity, please say in what ways you would like to be more effective 

	
I feel able to do my job / (if you are employed)/ or to study effectively (if applicable) using my other computer control method(s) (if applicable)

					Please describe how you use your other computer control method(s) for employment or study purposes (if applicable).  If you feel that you are not as effective as you would like to be in this capacity, please say in what ways you would like to be more effective.	

For you, overall, what are the most important differences between eye control and your other computer control methods?
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Do you have any other comments that you would like to make?
(E.g. what impact if any has eye control made to your quality of life?)
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Would you be happy for us to follow this up with further questions if needed? If so, please provide your contact details below.
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Your time and help in completing this questionnaire is very much appreciated, thank you.  
We would be very grateful if you could please return this questionnaire as an email attachment to Sara at cotmore@ace-centre.org.uk by Friday the 17th of April 2009.  If you have any difficulties in completing this questionnaire please contact Sara at the above email address.