DuckCall: Tackling the First Hundred Yards Problem
Stephen Fickas, Craig Pataky, Zebin Chen · 2006 · Proceedings of the 8th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '06) · doi:10.1145/1168987.1169056
Summary
This paper describes DuckCall, a TV-based reminder system designed to help people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) overcome the "first hundred yards problem" — the challenge of preparing for and getting to the first transit pick-up point for community travel. Background studies with TBI survivors identified three major barriers to community travel: trip planning (getting ready on time with correct items), using public transportation, and using services at the destination. DuckCall focuses on the first barrier, addressing two specific sub-problems: time management (getting ready and arriving at the pick-up spot on time) and inventory management (remembering to bring necessary items like bus passes, wallets, and membership cards). A key design decision was using a standard television as the user interface rather than a computer, since most TBI survivors owned a TV and were familiar with its operation, while few owned computers. The system consists of a SmartBox (a simplified PC acting as an information appliance with only an on/off button), a TVBox (the external interface connecting to the TV with just two buttons), and a content server. A caregiver uses a web interface to create reminder schedules and content, which are downloaded to the SmartBox. At scheduled times, the system alerts the user via their TV about upcoming trips and walks them through needed items.
Key findings
The system demonstrates a practical approach to cognitively accessible assistive technology through several design choices. The TV-based interface eliminates the complexity barrier of computers — the SmartBox is wrapped as an information appliance with a single on/off button, avoiding the need for users to manage a PC with screen, keyboard, and mouse. The TVBox interface uses only two physical buttons for interaction, keeping the cognitive load minimal. The system can detect whether the TV is on or off and can control the TV through infrared, allowing it to automatically switch inputs and adjust volume. No content required the user to operate a remote control, which the authors note is beneficial given that remotes are easily lost or run out of batteries. The estimated commercial cost was kept affordable at approximately \ total (\ TVBox + \ SmartBox). The team was also developing an RFID-enabled travel bag that communicates wirelessly with the SmartBox, allowing the system to automatically detect when required items have been packed — for example, sensing when a pill bottle is dropped into the bag and advancing to the next checklist item.
Relevance
This paper addresses a problem at the intersection of cognitive accessibility, independent living, and transportation access that remains significant today. Social isolation caused by inability to navigate community travel is a major quality-of-life issue for people with TBI and other cognitive disabilities. The "first hundred yards" framing is particularly insightful — it highlights that the barrier to community participation often begins before the person even leaves home, in the executive function tasks of time and inventory management. The design philosophy of meeting users where they are (using familiar TV rather than unfamiliar computers) and minimising interaction complexity (two buttons, no remote control required) reflects strong user-centred design principles. While the specific technology is dated, the core concepts — caregiver-configurable reminders, minimal-interaction interfaces, and smart object tracking for departure checklists — map directly to modern smart home and IoT approaches to supporting independent living.
Tags: cognitive disabilities · traumatic brain injury · social isolation · community navigation · transportation access · reminder system · assistive technology · independent living · smart home