Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons controlling voluntary muscle movement, leading to progressive weakness, muscle wasting, and eventually loss of the ability to speak, swallow, and breathe. ALS is one of the primary conditions for which gaze-based communication technology is used, as people with advanced ALS may retain eye movement control when other voluntary movements are lost. Eye gaze AAC systems can provide a communication lifeline for people with ALS, though the progressive nature of the disease means that technology needs evolve continuously and AT solutions must adapt over time.