Technology for the Physically Challenged: How Good Is It?
by Karen Wingate

Remember the days of manual typewriters and strip correction tape? Typing an error-free manuscript became as much of a chore as actually composing one. What was annoying for most of us, however, was nearly impossible for the physically challenged writer unless someone else helped. Today’s computer technology has thrown open the doors of opportunity for writers with disabilities. Simple features like spell checkers to more advanced accessibility features like speech recognition and high contrast screens have enabled physically challenged writers to work productively and independently in areas they thought near impossible even twenty years ago.

As aging brings on limited vision and stiff fingers, perhaps you are starting to consider how you can adapt your computer to make your writing work easier. Perhaps a temporary injury or a chronic illness is keeping you from doing the work you love to do. In your attempts to cope, maybe you’ve noticed that newer operating systems like Windows XP come equipped with what is called accessibility tools. They sound like neat whiz-bang options, yet how good are they? What else is available for the physically challenged writer? And how do you choose what will work for you?
 

Accessibility features can be broken down into three categories: magnification, screen readers and speech recognition. Magnification programs allow you to enlarge everything on your screen; text, graphics, cursors, icons and web pages in the fashion you want them enlarged. These programs also allow you to change the color of the background and text to make material easier to see. The downside to magnification is that images do become pixilated or jagged at higher magnification levels and you will see less on your screen, requiring you to scroll back and forth to see an entire line of text.

If magnification isn’t enough, your computer has the capability to have a synthesized voice read your document to you and identify verbally everything your cursor touches. Synthesized voices can be hard to hear since they aren’t always correct on pronunciation of foreign or archaic words.

For those who can’t use their hands, computers have the capacity to turn your spoken word into text, called speech recognition programs. Speech recognition programs do take time to train and are usually only 90% accurate requiring you to edit what you have spoken into your file. Depending on the software, mistakes can be difficult to correct by voice.

For those facing minor challenges, the accessibility features on Windows are probably enough. Realize, however, that these options are just a taste of how your computer can be adapted to fit your needs. Also, every person is different. There are a lot of accessibility features available on today’s operating systems that cater to different needs. Take the time to find out what works for you. Changing the color of your cursor, inverting the color to a white on black schematic, setting your font at 16 pitch or using the keypad instead of the mouse may be all you need. The beauty of customizing your computer is that it can easily be changed. Use one setting for a few days then try something else.

Whatever accessibility feature you use, ask yourself, “Is this easy to use?” “Does it perform the way I expect it to?” Don’t assume the problem is you. Just because a program boasts that it can do something does not necessarily mean it will do it well or that it is user friendly. Some accessibility features on Windows that seem to be a good idea, actually are so complicated, it becomes a bother to use them.
 

Specialized software such as Zoom Text (magnification), JAWS for Windows (screen reader) and Dragon Naturally Speaking (speech recognition) are high powered, sophisticated programs that will make Windows accessibility features look like the Medieval Age of Accessibility. These software programs are easy to install, easy to turn on and off, and easy to customize to fit your particular needs. These sophisticated programs are continually upgrading to correct the issues I’ve mentioned above. However, they are designed for specific disabilities, usually cost hundreds of dollars, and may be overkill for your purposes.

If you do have a severe physical challenge, these high powered programs might still be available to you. Every state has a Rehabilitation Service whose goal is to provide equipment so that the disabled might find and retain employment. That includes writers! Also, many libraries and public colleges have special equipment and software available for the disabled. If your library has nothing available, tell them you intend to be a regular patron, and ask if the library might be able to find funding to provide assistive technology. Title Five of the American Disabilities Act requires them to provide this equipment for the public. While it is your right, funding for many libraries is also tight so ask respectfully and graciously, showing you are willing to work with them.

“Technology is constantly changing,” says Kelly Kulick, a disabilities counselor at Kent State University. Today, we have the capability of putting an entire book onto a CD in less than half an hour, connecting a telephone line with a video camera showing a person translating a phone message into sign language, and closed circuit televisions (CCTV) that will enlarge fine print on anything from the want ads to a medicine bottle. What is cutting edge today will be obsolete tomorrow, so Kulick’s best advice to the challenged writer is, “Keep checking!”