Children at the Redland District Special School will soon be able to communicate by using their eyes.
The school is to buy an eye-operated communication system after receiving a donation from the Redlands Masonic Lodge.
The eye gaze device consists of a high-tech camera that is attached to a computer screen.
It enables people with disabilities to communicate and interact with the world.
Users look at control keys or cells on the screen and are able to generate speech by typing a message or selecting pre-programmed phrases.
The lodge regularly gives money to charities and has supported the school in the past.
Acting principal Andrew Thompson said the device would help children who have difficulty speaking to communicate.
“Students who want to communicate get frustrated when no one understands their needs,” he said.
The school’s Sheryn Wescott said the device would be useful for students who cannot consistently use their hands.
“It will give them a voice when they have never been able to make that choice before.”
Ms Wescott said the faces of students lit up when they tried the device as they realised that they were able to operate the system themselves.
Mr Thompson said it was phenomenal that there was an increasing number of electronic devices and apps that can help children and be used in school for learning.
The device costs about $1600 without the required software and the school had been talking about it for about a year.
Being given the donation meant that the school could use its own money for other needs.
The principal said the budget was tight, as with all schools, but special schools had additional costs, such as specially designed and manufactured chairs, desks and hoists, for example.
Lodge secretary Ken Rose said the organisation tried to help in the local community.
A charity set up by Freemasons Queensland, Hand Heart Pocket equaled the Redlands Lodge’s contribution to the school.
