Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. ALS typically progresses over 2-5 years, though some individuals live longer. For accessibility, ALS presents a critical use case because users may retain cognitive function while losing all voluntary movement, making brain-computer interfaces and eye-tracking systems essential for communication. Accessible technology for ALS must accommodate declining motor abilities over time and eventually support users who can only move their eyes or generate brain signals.