When Tobii Dynavox customers contact tech support, they might reach Victor Kaiser, a 27-year-old representative who communicates with his eyes. Born with cerebral palsy, a speech and motor disability, Kaiser uses an I-Series—a speech device he controls through eye movement—to talk to his coworkers and assist other users who need help with their devices.
Kaiser has used assistive communication since the seventh grade.
“When I got Tobii Dynavox eye tracking, it was life changing. I could start to express myself,” said Kaiser. “The impact Tobii Dynavox has had on my life is enormous. It got me a job. I passed school. I educated myself as a PT and nutrition advisor and much more.”
Kaiser’s story is an exception among people with communication disabilities. Over 2 million people are diagnosed each year, but only two percent have access to assistive communication.
Tobii Dynavox is working to change that. As the world-leader in assistive communication, the company develops high tech and print solutions for people with congenital disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy, as well as progressive conditions like ALS and aphasia.
“I would like to see that communication becomes a human right,” said Chief Product Officer Markus Cederlund. “So that the people who need this technology can get it. Because the technology is there.”
The biggest obstacle to connecting people like Kaiser with communication aids is lack of awareness. To spread the word about assistive communication, Tobii Dynavox has five main areas of focus: education, funding, access, innovation and sustainability.
To build knowledge within the healthcare community, Tobii Dynavox offers free classes and resources for professionals who can prescribe assistive communication solutions, with the ultimate goal of giving voices to more people.
Tobii Dynavox also strives to bridge gaps in funding infrastructure across the globe. In many countries, communication is not considered a medical need, which makes it difficult for people to obtain communication aids through insurance. Tobii Dynavox partners with researchers, non-profits and influencers to educate governments about why assistive communication is vital to well-being.
“I met with a guy called Rob who got the message that he has ALS, that he will not be able to speak within a few months,” said Cederlund. “He told me: ‘The reason I want to continue to live is that there are solutions like yours.’”
For people with ALS and other progressive conditions, Tobii Dynavox strives to provide a sense of independence and normalcy with technology that helps them do everyday things like browsing the web, adjusting lighting and ordering pizza over the phone. The company’s hardware and software designs account for diverse access needs and preferences, so customers can do what they want in the way that feels most natural-- whether through touch, eye tracking, or other methods.
Being able to communicate, use the internet, and software like Microsoft Office has also helped people with congenital disabilities achieve literacy, navigate school, and pursue independence.
“Can you imagine that you have a child with a disability and thought that they would never be able to go to college?” said President of North America Tara Rudnicki. “Can you imagine the day that family sees them on the stage getting their degree?”
By continuing to push assistive communication into the global mainstream, Tobii Dynavox believes it can empower more people with disabilities to achieve their dreams.
