All FAQs (Helpie FAQ)

Sample of All FAQs (Helpie FAQ)

Helpie FAQ

  • d. Affordability & Financial Flexibility
    • Total cost of ownership
      • What is the initial cost?  If a hardware device is involved, what is the warranty cost?  If something breaks in the hardware, what would be the cost to fix or replace?
      • What additional accessories are to be purchased?  E.g. batteries, mounting gear, wires, USB hubs, etc.
      • Do you need to buy additional material in the future? E.g. reflective dots, bite switch covering, sip-and-puff mouthpieces, etc.
    • Financial flexibility
      • Does the product vendor provide flexibility in purchase?  E.g. are monthly or yearly subscriptions available?
    • Health insurance coverage
      • Does health insurance cover any of the costs of the solution?
  • e. Product Support (Before and After purchase)
    • Does the solution provider company also provide product support?  How is it provided? E.g. by email, phone or video conference?
    • Do they publish their contact information, including phone number?
    • Where is the company located?  Are they available to speak in your time zone?
  • c. Features and benefits necessary to achieve the user’s goals
    • Completeness of features:
      • Make sure the entire range of mouse functions are covered – moving pointer, clicking, dragging and scrolling.
      • Do you already use certain solutions but looking to complement them with a hands-free mouse?  E.g.  you are able to move the mouse reasonably, but now looking for a clicking, dragging, scrolling solution because you cannot use the buttons on the mouse? Or vice versa?
    • Ease of acquiring and trying the solution
      • How quickly can you acquire the solution?
      • Is it free to try?  How long is the trial?
    • Convenience of installation and setup
      • Do you need any hardware widgets to be mounted / installed near the computer or on your wheelchair?
      • Do you need any gear to be worn on your body?  If so, would you need a caregiver to help you wear it? What type of adjustments are needed to make sure it fits you well?
      • What settings need to be adjusted on the gear itself that will need help from a caregiver?
    • Ease of Use during operation:
      • Is the system easy to learn?
      • Is it reactive to your needs?  E.g. Does the mouse pointer move easily, predictably and precisely based on your body motions?  Does it click when you want it to?  Are the functions achievable in a minimum number of actions, or does the system introduce additional steps to achieving compared to a standard mouse?
      • Does the system lead to unintentional results (such as unintentional clicks with dwell clicking), which you have to correct by doing additional work?
      • Are you able to completely operate the system independently, including various settings adjustments, without needing help from someone else?
      • If the system involves wearables, how many minutes or hours at a stretch can you comfortably wear it or use it?
    • Flexibility
      • Does the system play well with other tools which you may already have?  E.g., you may already have some switches for mouse clicks, but now are looking for a mouse pointing solution?  Or, you may already have voice control working well for typing and clicking but need a mouse pointing solution?  How quickly can you switch between the two?
  • b. What are the goals the user is trying to achieve via hands-free computer control?
    • For Communication / Speech generation only
    • Basic computer work – social media, internet surfing, email, environmental control, voice calls?
    • For school or college work?  For office work to compete in a demanding professional environment?
  • a. What are the physical limitations of the user?
    • Amount of physical control:  How is your level and range of head control?  Mouth?  Facial expressions, and which ones?  Vision issues?  How many hours a day would you be using the system?  In what orientations – sitting upright, or laying bed?  In a wheelchair?
    • Verbal ability: Do you have any ability to speak?  If yes, are you at least partially able to issue vocal commands to the computer?
    • Are the limitations temporary (such as due to a recent injury) versus expected to last for a longer term?
    • Would the user be comfortable continuously using the system for the number of hours they need to use it every day to achieve their goal? (See next factor below)  This is especially important for wearable gadgets such as eyewear and headbands that some users may find uncomfortable to use for more than 30 minutes at a time.