A 16-year-old girl from Spain with cerebral palsy has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by passing her high school graduation exam using an eye-tracking device that allows her to write and communicate using her eyes.
Gema Canales has spastic quadriplegia, one of the most severe forms of cerebral palsy. Unable to speak, she utilizes technology similar to that used by the renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking. However, instead of controlling it with her cheek like Hawking, Gema operates the system with her eyes.
Gema Canales. (Photo: cmmedia.es).
The device Gema uses is called Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – a product of the company Irisbond. Eduardo Jauregui, CEO and co-founder of Irisbond, stated, “The eye-tracking technology allows for tracking eye movement and interacting with devices like computers or tablets. Simply put, the eyes become the mouse.”
According to Jauregui, AAC operates on Windows and iPadOS platforms, employing artificial intelligence (AI), and can control any screen or touchscreen device just with eye movement. This “can be compatible with all kinds of machinery, from ATMs to self-driving cars in the future.” He also shared, “Gema is a role model and an inspiration from a very young age. She is not only the first girl in Spain to use the AAC device with her eyes, but she also continuously fights for this technology to be normalized and integrated into regular classrooms.”
The AAC device can be used by individuals diagnosed with cerebral palsy, stroke survivors, or those who lose their language abilities after regaining consciousness from a coma. According to data from the Spanish Association for Cerebral Palsy Support, approximately 120,000 people in Spain are affected by this disorder, with 80% requiring special support for daily activities.
Jauregui noted that the Spanish public healthcare system fully funds assistive technology tools for students with special communication needs, but “classroom support resources are still limited.” He emphasized, “What Gema has achieved at her public school demonstrates the tremendous impact technology can have when the right tools and necessary support are provided. Gema has become an inspiration for those who aspire to achieve similar goals.”
After graduating from high school, Gema expressed her intention to dedicate herself to a charity foundation named after her and work to assist children who do not have the same opportunities as she does.
The Gema Canales Foundation also highlights the need for greater support for disabled students beyond compulsory education. The foundation stated, “When students enter high school, they face a significant problem. Since it is not compulsory education, materials, teachers, and classrooms are not adequately adjusted, making it difficult for them to access higher education.”
Gema’s story is not only a testament to the power of technology but also a beacon of hope for those facing difficulties in life. Gema has proven that with the right tools and support, anyone can overcome barriers and realize their dreams.
