By John M. Williams
I can’t remember (or maybe I can’t count that high) the number of times people have asked me this question in the last 25 years: What do I need to know when I am buying an assistive technology (AT) product for myself? The answer requires knowing the technological challenges related to your disability and knowing the amount of money you can spend.
I have purchased hardware and software to cope with my stuttering, carpal tunnel syndrome, and declining vision. Before purchasing AT products, I asked myself two questions: Why am I using it? And where am I going to use it?
To reduce my stuttering, I have used both large and hand-help tape recorders and audio feedback equipment. (See my “Discovering the Power of Fluency” in the December 2005 Orbit.) With the various devices to reduce stuttering, I had to know what aspects of my stuttering were impacted. For example, I knew I was using my tape recorder to listen to myself on the telephone, in private conversations, and in interviews. I wanted to listen to the various lengths and severity of my stuttering blocks. I wanted to hear myself stuttering on my feared words. I wanted to hear when I was fluent and to feel good about myself when I heard fluency. I have learned much about stuttering by listening to the tapes.
I have friends who stutter who tape questions before meetings and use the tape recorder to ask questions. I have other friends with speech challenges who use text-to-speech pre-programmed phrases and speeches to speak for them. These are correct functions for these products.
For my carpal tunnel syndrome, I have used speech recognition programs when I could not use a keyboard and dial a telephone number. The advantage of using speech recognition programs for me is that they do not put any strain on my wrists and around my heart, strain that usually results from using a standard Qwerty keyboard. Having used speech recognition for years, I know there is usually no better way of typing for me. When I stutter while using voice recognition, however, my word processing efforts are futile. I recognized this deficiency immediately when I started using voice recognition. The training associated with speech recognition varies from user-to-user. It takes me hours to become proficient with it.
When I can’t use a regular keyboard and voice recognition fails, then I use an alternative keyboard such as the orbiTouch (www.orbitouch.com) or an onscreen keyboard. The orbiTouchTM creates a keystroke when I slide its two domes into one of their eight respective positions. I type the different characters by sliding the domes to create letters and numbers. The orbiTouch also has an integrated mouse, so moving the domes gives you full mouse and keyboard capability.
The onscreen keyboard is located under the Accessibility Options of Windows in the Control Panel. It can be used with a mouse, foot pedal, head pointer, and Eyegaze technology. While the onscreen keyboard has limited functions and is slow, it is terrific for word-processing and for simple math. I discovered the Accessibility Options years ago when Microsoft included them in Windows. All of the Option functions are a good introduction to assistive technologies, and their cost is zero.
Affordability challenges consumers with disabilities. Before buying I determine what I can spend. I do not buy the most expensive products. I do not buy the cheapest. I know what I need and I buy what I need. Before buying an AT product, you should know if you or someone else will pay for it. If you can’t afford it, will a relative pay? Will Medicaid or Medicare pay? Will insurance company ? Can you secure a loan and at what interest? Will an employer pay?
In buying AT be sure you are comfortable with it. Be a smart consumer and shop around. Test products from two or more companies. In determining the price know that companies charge extra for training, service plans and maintenance. It has been my experience that the training companies offer is exceptional, and it can make you productive and efficient quicker than if you self-train.
I have been successful using assistive technology because I understand my disabilities and how the AT compensates for them. The same benefits exist for you.
John M. Williams has been writing about assistive technology for more than 25 years. A sample of his book Assistive Technologies: Creating a Universe of Opportunities for People with Disabilities can be seen at www.atn-ctcf.org.
