Becky’s story

    Becky’s story

    Follow your dreams

    Meet Becky from the UK

    Becky is a bright, creative, fun-loving student and avid gamer with a passion for acting, dancing, singing and art. Diagnosed soon after birth with cerebral palsy, Becky can’t control her body or speak, making communication a lifelong challenge. This hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her interests and dreams. When this ambitious British teen - also known as eyegazegirl - isn’t building worlds and cities in Minecraft and Sims, you might catch her eloquently addressing a crowd as a motivational speaker.

    I have achieved so much more than I ever thought possible.

    — Becky Tyler

    Becky using a Tobii Dynavox eye tracking device

    Life with assistive technology

    Becky’s mum Fiona first learned about assistive technology from an occupational therapist when Becky was a toddler. They began her journey towards literacy with low-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), such as picture communication books and switch access tools. Becky started with early versions of Tobii Dynavox eye gaze technology and communication software when she was seven and now uses the TD Snap on an I-Series device as her main communication aid. Through sheer determination and courage, Becky has not only achieved literacy; she is preparing to complete her GCSEs. Her favourite features on the I-Series are outdoor eye tracking, which allows her to study outside, and the Partner Window, which encourages eye contact and keeps people from reading over her shoulder. She’s also indulging her love of social media with Communicator 5 Accessible Apps. Becky uses a PCEye Plus eye tracker combined with a desktop computer for school work and gaming, as well as an EyeMobile Plus with a tablet for playing Minecraft and testing new software.

    Becky using a Tobii Dynavox eye tracking device

    Life with assistive technology

    Becky’s mum Fiona first learned about assistive technology from an occupational therapist when Becky was a toddler. They began her journey towards literacy with low-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), such as picture communication books and switch access tools. Becky started with early versions of Tobii Dynavox eye gaze technology and communication software when she was seven and now uses the TD Snap on an I-Series device as her main communication aid. Through sheer determination and courage, Becky has not only achieved literacy; she is preparing to complete her GCSEs. Her favourite features on the I-Series are outdoor eye tracking, which allows her to study outside, and the Partner Window, which encourages eye contact and keeps people from reading over her shoulder. She’s also indulging her love of social media with Communicator 5 Accessible Apps. Becky uses a PCEye Plus eye tracker combined with a desktop computer for school work and gaming, as well as an EyeMobile Plus with a tablet for playing Minecraft and testing new software.

    The power of teams

    Becky has enough motivation to accomplish whatever she puts her mind to, but it takes a dedicated team to keep up with her ambitions and make her dreams real. Her parents, home school tutor and SLT have set their expectations high for Becky’s education by developing enhanced learning techniques specific to her needs. Her Assistive Technology Advisor and Personal Assistants help her with all things technology-related, including programming new vocabulary and ensuring that life runs smoothly. Her team also nurtures extra-curricular interests such as fundraising, where she helped raise millions for charity, and helped test and develop an interface to make Minecraft eye gaze accessible for everyone. Becky plans to study computing at university and dreams of one day using her skills, knowledge and determination to improve lives through assistive technology, art and gaming.