That's why a group of researchers and computer science students at the University of Texas at Arlington is working to develop specialized devices designed to make communication just a bit easier for people with disabilities.

Still in its creation phase and dubbed the personal portable device, the wireless handheld tool would be tailored to serve the needs of each user.

"A blind person doesn't have the need for a screen, so the device would read the message out loud," said Dr. Farhad Kamangar, a computer science professor and lead researcher for the project. "If you're in a wheelchair, you could have a foot switch if you can't move your hands.

"And, there are no small buttons."

Funded by a $2.2 million state grant, the UTA group will give about 600 devices to people with disabilities in rural East Texas. They will serve as a test market to offer feedback and allow researchers to refine and improve the communication tools.

Adapts to its user

The PPDs were made using existing technology and resemble typical handhelds. During the first phase, the devices will allow caregivers to send messages to clients who can respond with "yes" or "no."

Eventually, the research group plans to develop a system of two-way communication. And unlike two-way pagers or cellphones, the PPDs will have specially designed software and hardware geared to the needs of their users.

"Here the difference is like going to Wal-Mart and getting your clothing or going to a designer to get clothing," Dr. Kamangar said. "Wal-Mart clothes are designed for everyone.

"This is adaptable to people; people don't have to adapt to it."

A caregiver, social worker or family member, for example, could send messages to PPD users to take medicine or remind them of a scheduled appointment. The device would automatically send the appropriate message at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner.

That means that if a blind person sleeps until 9 a.m. and needs to know that a doctor's appointment has been canceled, the device would know to send the sound message after he or she wakes up.

"The device will take itself and apply itself to their lives," said Pramod Kumar, one of the UTA graduate students working on the project.

"There's no other system like this that we know of," she said. "There are a couple of devices made for people with hearing impairments, but they cost about $2,400, so it's not very marketable in the mainstream."

By contrast, the UTA devices would cost about $850. The 600 prototypes will be free.

"Everyone I've told about this says, 'I want one right now,'" Ms. Black said.

Hope for future

But the devices won't be widely available for a while. Two of the prototypes will be used by C-CAD clients beginning this week. Later this month, about a half-dozen will be distributed locally, and one will go to a rehabilitation center in Sherman. After feedback from those users, the devices will be distributed to rural clients.

The UTA students said they hope that technology companies or wireless providers will see the merit in the devices and develop them for a mass market.

But that's not what motivates most of the students involved in the project.

"This is not a class requirement but a project that sounded very exciting to me," said Padma Sambeth, a computer science graduate student. "Doctors have very noble professions; not everyone gets to do this in the engineering field. This helps people directly, so this is also a noble profession."

Caregivers will also be able to communicate with clients more effectively and efficiently, said Jeff Smith, president of SensorLogic, an Addison-based machine-to-machine communications company.

"I have a high degree of confidence that we'll be successful," said Mr. Smith, whose company is providing a Web-based administration system for the devices. "It's not a project, but a process. This isn't something you stick in a shoebox and everyone forgets about it.

"This is about changing lives, and that's what drives it."

E-mail tstewart@dallasnews.com