Computer system gives people independence
By: Steve Tschirhart (You can contact him at news@icanonline.net)
From: iCan News Service - July 3, 2002


To hear Nancy Baesman tell it, the development of the Visions System - a
computerized communications system for individuals with developmental
disabilities - began as a series of seemingly minor incidents that gradually
coalesced into something much greater: 

Her husband, Bill, standing in a high-end audio shop and realizing that one
person's entertainment could be personalized into another person's
independence. 

Her son, Grant, educated in business but something of a computer buff as
well, seeing in computer technology the potential to meet the needs of people
with developmental disabilities. 

And Nancy herself, trained as an educator, developing what she would later
describe as "primitive" communications systems the likes of which the Visions
System would maybe one day replace. 

But perhaps the most important Baesman - the one who could tie it all
together - was Stacie, Bill and Nancy's daughter, and Grant's sister.  

It was their love for Stacie, who has a developmental disability, that
inspired her family to create a communications system that would allow her to
live free from the supervision of her parents or any support staff.  

"We had to figure out a way she could be independent," Nancy said.  

What they figured out was the Visions System, a computerized voice and
picture communications system that, once installed, provides much of the same
guidance a parent, guardian or support staff could.  

People with certain developmental disabilities can handle a wide range of
tasks, but they may require reminders and other minor assistance in order to
recall what tasks to do when, and perhaps some guidance as to how to do them.  

Enter the Visions System.  

Much like a high-end audio or telecommunications system that can be installed
in every room of the house and maintained from a centralized console, the
Visions System features speakers in many (if not all) the rooms of a house.
At regular intervals, the computer running the system will remind the user -
via a voice feature--to go shopping, keep a dinner date or lock the doors in
the evening.  

The system runs proprietary software developed by the Baesmans, who hired
dedicated programmers to put it all together.  

Another integral part of the system is the computer's monitor, which acts as
a touch screen, where picture prompts aid the user in recalling and
accomplishing tasks.  

Visions for Independent Living, the company formed by Nancy's family to
promote and install the Visions System, has installed approximately 50
systems around the country, from Maryland to California.  

While Nancy concedes that the system has been more successful for some than
others, there have been no negatives to the experience thus far.  

And some of the success stories resonate with her. She gets emotional
recounting the time a woman with a developmental disability called to thank
her for installing the system in her home, crediting the system for helping
her care for her young daughter who does not have a disability.  

However giving of themselves the Baesmans have been in developing the Visions
System for people outside the family, Nancy is perhaps most excited about
what it has meant for her daughter.  

For instance, using a third element of the Visions System, a more traditional
card-and-picture communication system, Stacie is shopping for herself and
cooking for herself.  

"Nobody would have told you, ever, that Stacie would be able to cook alone,"
Nancy said. "She's being able to reach a potential no one knew she had. And
that's what's so exciting." 

Full text at:
http://www.ican.com/news/fullpage.cfm/articleid/5AF44DBE-151B-44F8-9911A0ACE23A681A/cx/independence.home/article.cfm

The Visions System
http://www.thevisionssystem.com

Contributed by Bruce Fleming

