What is it?
Eye gaze frames are low-tech assistive tools that allow individuals with severe physical disabilities to communicate or participate in academic tasks using eye movements. They typically consist of a transparent board with a grid of symbols, pictures, letters, or words. Users select items by looking at them while a communication partner observes and interprets their gaze. Eye gaze frames are especially beneficial for individuals with conditions like cerebral palsy, where motor control is limited but eye movement is preserved, and can also support literacy tasks such as letter selection, spelling, and reading activities.
How to use it?
To use an eye gaze frame, position the transparent board with a customized grid at the user’s eye level and within comfortable viewing distance. The user selects items by focusing their gaze, while a communication partner observes and identifies their choice. Eye gaze frames can be adapted for communication (symbols, core words) or academic tasks (letters, vocabulary, comprehension choices). Regular practice helps improve speed and accuracy, and updating the content ensures the frame remains relevant to the user’s evolving communication and learning goals.
Why use it?
Eye gaze frames provide a vital means of communication and academic participation for individuals who cannot reliably use their hands or voice. They enable users to express needs, share thoughts, and engage in literacy and learning activities through eye movement alone. Eye gaze frames promote autonomy, inclusion, and quality of life by supporting communication, literacy development, and social interaction. They are also relatively easy to set up, low-cost, and highly customizable to meet individual needs across communication and academic contexts.
