When Christine Jendoubi arrived at Boston College in May 2001, she expected to learn more about the American political system and specifically how education policy is executed on the local, state and federal levels. What she didn’t expect was to learn about two assistive technologies that are changing the lives of students with severe disabilities both here in the US and abroad.

As part of a delegation of 12 education policy makers from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, Christine came to Boston to participate in a congressionally-funded program designed to help leaders of nations emerging from conflict promote peace through effective government. On the last day of her visit, Christine and other visiting officials were invited to the Campus School for a demonstration of the EagleEyes and Camera Mouse technologies.

Carl Savage of Northern Ireland’s Special Education Branch relays the story, “The inspectors were totally bowled over by the technology…Christine said that the whole trip would have been worth it just for EagleEyes.”

Eighteen months later, Northern Ireland has just secured funding for 26 Camera Mouse systems and has recently signed a licensing agreement for the EagleEyes technology. Officials expect that the technology will roll out in schools beginning in January and February.

Professor Tom Hachey, Executive Director of Irish Programs at Boston College, comments on the fortuitous connection. “We’d love to see the technology brought down to the Irish Republic…and of course, we’d love a chance to work with Jim Gips and Phil DiMattia again.”

This collaboration between the Irish Institute, the Lynch School of Education and the Computer Science Department proves once again that the strength of an academic institution lies not just in the achievements of individuals and individual departments, but also in an atmosphere that promotes the exchange of ideas and the synergies that evolve from them.

Just as EagleEyes has served as a platform for cooperation within BC, it is hoped that the technology will foster cooperation in Northern Ireland. By tackling special education challenges together, school officials invest in the promise of a better future for students with severe disabilities.