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This paper provides an analysis of perspectives from different stakeholders on the state-of-the-art of BCI. Three barriers for technology transfer of BCIs as access technologies are identified. First, BCIs are developed with a narrow focus on creating a reliable technology, while a broader focus on creating a usable technology is needed. Second, the potential target group, which could benefit from BCIs as access technologies is expected to be very small. Development costs are therefore high, while reimbursements are expected to be low, which challenges the commercial viability. Third, potential target users should be much more included in the design process of BCIs to ensure that the end-products meet technical, ethical, legal and social requirements. These three issues need to be urgently addressed so that target users may benefit from this promising technology.

Current interviews with people with locked in syndrome (LIS) show that almost all of them rate their quality of life as good or even very good. They are happy with their “classic” communication aids and the services around them (advice, delivery, reimbursement). People with LIS prefer non-technological alphabet system for daily interactions, because face-to-face is more personal and emotional. However, technological communication aids are of utmost importance for privacy and the feeling of independency. Ethical, legal and societal issues need to be considered when designing new assistive technologies such as brain-computer interfaces. For example, interviews suggest that that having high tech is not a guarantee for inclusion of people with LIS in society. People in society are often afraid of people with LIS and the equipment that surrounds them. Thus, BCI sensors should be as invisible as possible or aesthetically pleasing and culturally accepted. The inclusion of people with disabilities will not only require the development of high tech, but - above all - a change in society's attitude towards disability.