[bcab] Re: Fw: assistive technology - blind and no arms

Interestingly Mandy now uses J-Say Technology... 


Terry Clasper.
T&T Consultancy Ltd
Suite 5 Imex Technology Park
Trentham
Stoke-On-Trent
ST4 8LJ

Tel: 08452 303015
Fax: 01782 646142
Web: www.tandt-consultancy.com


-----Original Message-----
From: bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Adrian Higginbotham
Sent: 30 November 2006 12:43
To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bcab] Re: Fw: assistive technology - blind and no arms

Similar support is offered by other solutions and for other assistive 
technologies, the following is a case study from the dolphin computer access 
site which they along with ghg software showcased at Techshare a couple of 
years ago.
        
Case Study No.  B06  



Total Hand-Free Accessibility for Visually Impaired computer users from 
TalkingPoint Gold and Dolphin

Industry leaders continue to provide innovative solutions for blind and 
disabled computer users.


Mandy De La Mare was born partially sighted and without any upper limbs. She is 
one of four thousand people world-wide who is disabled as a result of the 
thalidomide drug. Since the age of seventeen her eyesight deteriorated to such 
a degree that she is now totally blind, yet despite her disabilities she still 
manages to bring up her three children, with the help and support of her family 
and her husband, Chris.

A beneficiary of the Thalidomide Trust, Mandy has been using a computer since 
1994, initially, using a Braille laptop device. Whilst this gave some degree of 
independence, it was limiting because it could only effectively be used by a 
blind person and could not be shared with her husband or family. This made 
simple tasks such as proof reading documents impossible. What Mandy really 
needed was a 'standard' computer system, which she could share with her family, 
but could be adapted to allow her to access the information in the way that she 
wanted.

After researching different computer access systems, Mandy decided that a 
screen reader was the best solution to getting access to mainstream 
information. Having reviewed several screen readers, she decided that Hal, from 
Dolphin Computer Access Limited, was the best solution for her. So in 1999 
Mandy started using Hal. When asked why she chose Hal, Mandy's response is 
quite clear, "It was the most stable screen reader on the market and worked 
straight from the box without the need for sighted assistance or any computer 
configuration. It also supported the latest graphics drivers, which was very 
important for my children's computer games." Mandy also enrolled on a touch 
typing course at Sandwell College, to become proficient on a 'qwerty' keyboard 
using only her toes.

Whilst this allowed Mandy to fully access her family's computer and use Hal as 
an output mechanism, it was still very tiring and time consuming having to 
input information using her toes via the keyboard. What Mandy really wanted was 
to be like any other mother who was able to do her shopping on line. It was 
this determination that led her to contact the Thalidomide Trust for help. 

In 2001 she was introduced to Alan Summerside, the Development Director, at the 
Trust. Alan agreed that The Trust would explore the possible solutions and work 
with expert organisations in order to appropriate the technology required. 
Mandy would help with the testing and evaluation work. With the help of Malcolm 
Grant, the three of them embarked upon a three year crusade, along with help 
from the development team responsible for the TalkingPoint voice interface 
programme. Their quest, to find the most reliable and stable solution that 
allowed people with multiple disabilities, to access a standard computer.

Initial investigations determined that Mandy needed some form of voice 
recognition software as an input mechanism, eliminating the reliance upon the 
keyboard. Using leading voice software such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking, was 
not an option at this time due to the perceived compatibility problems with 
screen readers. Alan and Mandy sought expert advice in order to get a solution 
that effectively integrated the Dragon software with a screen reader. They 
evaluated existing products that were available, such as JawBone, which failed 
to live up to their expectations. Alan says, "every existing product we 
evaluated that claimed to be able to integrate the Dragon software with a 
screen reader failed to deliver the necessary levels of accessibility for 
Mandy".

Every expert they approached failed to understand their needs and failed to 
deliver a robust and reliable solution. One popular low cost screen reader that 
was evaluated, caused so much damage to Mandy's computer that the Thalidomide 
Trust agreed to rebuild and reformat it for her. Alan continues, "this was a 
very bad experience for us, and taught us a valuable lesson - you get what you 
pay for!"

Having spent over two years speaking with experts in the field and looking at a 
range of ineffective solutions, Malcolm Grant and GHG decided to develop their 
own solution which would integrate Dragon NaturallySpeaking with a screen 
reader.  

With the primary focus being a stable and reliable solution, the team decided 
to approach Dolphin. Mandy had been using Dolphin's Hal screen reader for over 
four years by this time, without any problems and having experienced a range of 
other screen readers, nothing was as stable or reliable as Hal. The team needed 
to develop an interface offering the ability to switch automatically between 
the Hal screen reader and Dragon NaturallySpeaking.   

The team initially tried installing Dragon alongside Hal to see how compatible 
the two were. The initial findings surprised them all. Without any modification 
the two systems appeared to work quite well together, however, conflicts were 
apparent. There was no means of easily disabling Hal when using the microphone. 
With Malcolm's knowledge and experience, he decided to develop a software 
solution that would integrate Dragon NaturallySpeaking with Supernova and Hal. 
The total solution also needed to provide intelligent vocal feedback of 
operations so that the user would never lose their place. It needed to provide 
constant feedback of any changes and modifications inputted by the user, to 
ensure all changes could be easily tracked. All input phrases should be 
repeated back to the operator for clarification. And so TalkingPoint Gold was 
developed.

TalkingPoint Gold enabled the user to access the on-screen information by using 
the Synthetic Speech within Hal or Supernova. At the same time the voice could 
be used as an additional input mechanism, however there was no automatic 
function for suppressing Hal and Supernova when using Dragon. Malcolm contacted 
the Dolphin Technical Support staff for help.

The Dolphin Technical Support staff worked with Malcolm to determine the best 
way of muting the screen reader speech whilst using Dragon. Modifications were 
made to the user files within Hal and Supernova, which enabled the microphone 
operation to be controlled by a simple foot pedal. This was programmed into 
TalkingPoint Gold which simulated the toggle action and automatically switched 
the screen reader voice off when using the microphone. So now, when the foot 
pedal is depressed, the microphone is switched on and TalkingPoint Gold can be 
used. When the foot pedal is released the microphone is switched off, 
TalkingPoint Gold is suspended and Hal is automatically switched back on. 

So what difference has this made to Mandy? 
She is now able to dictate directly into the computer. Constructing letters, 
reports and emails is now far quicker than she ever thought possible. The 
access software package provides Mandy with verbal mouse control functions, 
which up until now she had never been able to use.  Mandy is now able to work 
with her computer for longer periods of time without getting tired or suffering 
strain to her legs and toes, as well as ensuring she has effective access to 
more computer functionality for the foreseeable future.


What does Mandy say? 
"This has really changed my life. The work that Malcolm and the people at 
Dolphin have done is fantastic, it is stable and reliable and the support I get 
is first class." Mandy continues, "having spent so long looking for a solution 
that allowed me the same levels of access as any other person, I was surprised 
to find the answer had always been there in front of me. I now enjoy my 
computer more than ever before. None of this would have been possible without 
the help and support of everyone involved, especially Alan Summerside from the 
Thalidomide Trust."

Steve Palmer, CEO, Dolphin Group, comments "this really does demonstrate the 
flexibility and adaptability of our products. It is fantastic to see our 
products being used in new and innovative ways along side other products." 
Steve continues, "it makes what we do worthwhile when we see how our products 
have changed the lives others. We are always pleased to work with people like 
Mandy, Malcolm and Alan and together with TalkingPoint Gold, Dolphin will 
continue to break down the barriers for people with disabilities around the 
world."

TalkingPoint Gold costs £550 and includes a copy of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 
Professional and is available directly from GHG Software Developments Ltd, or 
any Dolphin dealer. To find out more contact GHG Software Developments Ltd on 
01908 847171 or email Malcolm.grant@xxxxxxxxxx 


Adrian Higginbotham
Project manager, Standards

British Educational Communications and Technology Agency - BECTA
Tel: Direct dial 024 7679 7333 - Becta switchboard 02476-416994.

Email: Adrian.Higginbotham@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Web: http://www.becta.org.uk/
BECTA, Millburn Hill Road, Science Park, Coventry, CV4 7JJ 


-----Original Message-----
From: bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 30 November 2006 02:05
To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bcab] Fw: assistive technology - blind and no arms

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lucy Mardel" <Lucy.Mardel@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <BlindNews-Owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 12:30 PM
Subject: assistive technology - blind and no arms


I work in a training centre for VI adults in the UAE. Your mailing list is a 
lifeline with the outside world on all VI matters. THANK YOU.

My request is for advice on assistive technology available to a blind person 
who has no arms. Can they still use the keyboard in any way - or is there any 
voice recognition software that would be appropriate? 

Regards,

 

Lucy Mardel

British Council English Teacher / Coordinator

Tamkeen. Knowledge Village.

PO Box 500004.

Dubai. UAE

T +971 (0)50 5516 717

F + 971 (0)4391 1445

 lucy.mardel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:lucy.mardel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

 

Creating opportunities...building partnerships www.britishcouncil.org/me

 

 



***  BCAB List administration ***

If you wish to unsubscribe, set vacation,, request a digest or carry out 
routine maintenance on your subscription to the list then go to:
http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html

If you wish to discuss the administration of the list then contact:
secretary@xxxxxxxxxxx



***  BCAB List administration ***

If you wish to unsubscribe, set vacation,, request a digest or carry out 
routine maintenance on your subscription to the list then go to:
http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html

If you wish to discuss the administration of the list then contact:
secretary@xxxxxxxxxxx

***  BCAB List administration ***

If you wish to unsubscribe, set vacation,, request a digest or carry out 
routine maintenance on your subscription to the list then go to:
http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html

If you wish to discuss the administration of the list then contact:
secretary@xxxxxxxxxxx

Other related posts: