The Craighalbert Centre in Cumbernauld, Scotland and the Jordan Valley School in Midvale, Utah, were both recently gifted the EagleEyes and CameraMouse technologies by the Opportunity Foundation of America (OFOA).

On May 20, 2005, a Press Conference was held at the Craighalbert Centre, and Boston College Professor James Gips, developer of the technologies, demonstrated both systems. Debbie Inkley, Founder and Executive Director of OFOA, announced the initiation of an international network of training centers that educate young children and adults with disabilities.

At the Press Confernce, Dr. Lillmor Jernqvist, Centre Director said, "I am very proud that the Craighalbert Centre has been chosen by The Opportunity Foundation of America and Boston College to be part of the network of training centers. It is a crucial element of our own learning community consisting of the children, staff and parents that we can work together to develop theory and practice through the use of pioneering technology. This project epitomizes the Scottish Executive's call for development and sharing of expertise and puts Craighalbert's expertise at the forefront of computer assistive technology on a worldwide basis."

On June 17, 2005, the Jordan Valley School in Midvale, Utah, was presented with the EagleEyes and Camera- Mouse technologies by OFOA. John Gardner, principal of Jordan Valley stated, "EagleEyes has the potential of changing the world for so many people. And not only the children, but their families." Britt Allen, a Salt Lake Community College student and OFOA volunteer, gave an outstanding EagleEyes demonstration for parents, therapists, teachers and government agencies.

A "Train the Trainer" seminar for EagleEyes and Camera- Mouse was also held at Jordan Valley School on June 16, 2005. The training was facilitated by Maureen Gates and Linda Carfora from the Boston College Campus School.

The Opportunity Foundation recently has signed a licensing agreement with Boston College to manufacture and distribute the miniature EagleEyes boxes. The boxes were designed by Professor William Ames of the Boston College Computer Science Department. The new EagleEyes box runs off two 9-volt batteries, connects to the USB port of a Windows notebook or desktop computer and has the functionality of the previously used $6, 000 system. It acts as an eye-controlled mouse replacement for all standard Windows software and can travel with the person on the wheelchair as an input device to a notebook computer.

The first EagleEyes boxes have been manufactured by OFOA and are in the process of being distributed. The Boston College Campus School; Goodwill Columbus in Columbus, Ohio; and United Cerebral Palsy in Salt Lake City, Utah also will be part of the international network of training centers.

Children and adults with severe disabilities will have the opportunity to be evaluated and trained on EagleEyes and CameraMouse at no charge. Weekly training will be encouraged at all locations. The objective of OFOA is: to provide EagleEyes and CameraMouse systems to schools in the US and the UK serving children with special needs and to make both technologies available to individuals and families who make a commitment to utilize the systems.