Epilepsy and Computers

[Gerry Grimm]

I don't know if this would work, but I should think it might.  

My understanding is that flashing lights can trigger seizure activity (one
reason that strobe lights are used in EEG testing).  Computer monitors are
much like TV screens in that they continually are refreshing the phosphors
on the screen.  The CRT fires at the back of the screen moving continually
down the screen in a horizontal line.  When it reaches the bottom, it starts
over at the top of the screen.  That's why when you get a video of a TV
screen showing something, you see the line going down the screen.  I haven't
heard of that refreshing process ever stimulating seizure activity, but I
suppose it's possible.

To get around that, perhaps a laptop PC with a LED (or perhaps even an
active matrix) display would solve the problem since it doesn't refresh the
screen pixels in the manner of a TV or monitor.  It's worth a try anyway and
it's a simple solution if it works.

>
>Problem:  Student with epilepsy who needs to use a computer experiences 
>"pre-seizure activity" from the monitor.
>
>Does anyone have any experience with this type of issue?  Possible solutions?
>
>Thanks!
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>John F. Elmer, M.S.S.W., Ph.C.
>Shoreline Community College
>16101 Greenwood Avenue North
>Seattle, WA   98133
>206-546-4799/5823/4559
>
>
>
Thanks much...
Gerry Grimm
DeafWeb Washington
(http://www.wolfenet.com/~hydronut/deafweb.htm