[Trainer-talk] Dragon & speech impairments?

Fri Sep 3 21:43:19 UTC 2010

  Hi Terrance,

Zoomtext and Dragon are both compatible out of the boxes.  Magnitalk was 
created to allow Zoomtext to work with all of Dragon Pro (the former, 
$500, command-rich version).  Magnitalk might be obsolete now?  And it 
sounds like your client won't need Dragon Pro, therefore not Magnitalk, 
anyway.

I'd try Windows 7 first.  There is a free, built-in, full-screen 
magnifier, similar to Zoomtext, and Speech Recognition that is 
comparable and considered better on some points than Dragon.  See the 
post I quoted below by Marty Markoe, owner of emicrophones.  These days 
you may not need to create two profiles anymore.  Yet it is very 
important to get a good microphone and all of e-microphones.com 
<http://www.emicrophones.com/> are voice recognition compatible.

If your client needs a screenreader, NVDA is free.  I just tried it some 
with Dragon 10- provided good speech feedback while dictating and 
working in documents.

"WSR (Windows Speech Recognition) is not only free but also a very good 
speech recognition software. It is free and built into Windows Vista and 
Windows 7.

One of its best features is the ability to navigate almost any Windows 
application easily. All you need to do is say, "Show Numbers." A number 
will flash over every menu, button, the link, or drop down list. Simply 
say the number flashing over the item you wish to activate and the 
program activates it.

There is a $15.99 software called the WSRToolkit 
<http://www.emicrophones.com/p-1228-wsrtoolkit-for-windows-speech-recognition.aspx>.

This software adds seven of the functions you are used to in Dragon 
NaturallySpeaking in one easy to use interface. You can easily create 
text macros, command macros, add your typical documents, improve your 
voice profile, and even transcribe a digital recorder recording if it is 
in a .wav format.

READ"Getting Started with Windows Speech Recognition." 
<http://www.mymsspeech.com/download/WSRGetStarted.pdf> "
  Marty Markoe, eMicrophones, Inc.

Sorry to be long winded.  Just think you can save your client about a 
thousand bucks this way.

Chris Johnson,
Assistive Technology Specialist,
chris at expressable.org

On 8/31/10 2:29 PM, Andrews, David B B (DEED) wrote:
> I am also told that it will work with Zoomtext, and that there are 3rd party talking menus available, which helps -- kind of like JSay for JAWS and Dragon.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Terrence VanEttinger
> Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 2:52 PM
> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
> Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Dragon&  speech impairments?
>
> That's what I was thinking.  Our IT specialist also mentioned using different profiles for different variations, but the time involved in training would seem prohibitive with the resources and time available.
>
> Terrence van Ettinger
> Braille and Assistive Technology Instructor
> Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
> 3903 Taft Dr.
> Anchorage, AK 99517-3069
> (907) 248-7770, X205
> tvanettinger at alaskabvi.org
> Follow the Center on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alaskabvi
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Andrews, David B B (DEED)
> Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 11:46 AM
> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
> Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Dragon&  speech impairments?
>
> As I understand it, Dragon Naturally Speaking can be trained, and adjusts to different accents, kinds of voices etc.  However it is important to be consistent in your pronunciation, so I believe you said the person varies from day to day -- which may be the big problem here.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Terrence VanEttinger
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 5:14 PM
> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology (trainer-talk at nfbnet.org)
> Subject: [Trainer-talk] Dragon&  speech impairments?
>
> Hello, all,
> We have a client who is needing to input text into a computer, but a) has trouble typing with 1 or both of his hands, and (b) is at times more or less speech-impaired depending on his level of energy.  He was using ZoomText, but apparently his brain tumor has re-surfaced and resulted in further deterioration of his vision.  Dragon was brought up to him as a possibility for inputting text into the computer for the book he's trying to write, but my concern is that, with his speech difficulties, Dragon may be less effective.  Also, how well does it work with ZoomText?  I would appreciate any input on adaptations for someone with reduced motor function and speech issues in conjunction with visual impairment.
>
> Thanks,
> Terrence
>
> Terrence van Ettinger
> Braille and Assistive Technology Instructor
> Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
> 3903 Taft Dr.
> Anchorage, AK 99517-3069
> (907) 248-7770, X205
> tvanettinger at alaskabvi.org
> Follow the Center on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alaskabvi
>
>
>
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