Re: OT VOICE I/O for visually handicapped

Here is a brief rundown of the products we use for a blind
Telecommunications System Representative (TSR) here at our municipal
utility.

We currently use a product called "Outspoken." It costs about $600.
Unfortunately, it also requires a special audio card and will not work with
NT or Win 2K (this rep. is now the only one with Win 98).

A better product may be "Jaws" (but we haven't tried it.) It costs about
$1,000 but works with a standard sound card and NT, Win 2K.

Both of the above products read out selected areas of a computer screen and
work with _any_ Windows program. For example, they will read out the
contents of a Dialog Box or menu tree and accept responses using pre-defined
keystroke sequences. Semi amazing. Of course, I suspect you weren't
thinking of paying that much, but this is what you use if you are blind and
need to operate a computer.

I would also suggest checking out www.humanware.com . We used them to train
our TSR. The trainer they sent was blind from birth and could navigate
software faster than most people skilled with a keyboard and mouse.

Of course, I can't officially endorse these products or humanware, I can
just tell you what we are using :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Owlett [mailto:rowlett_at_atlascomm.net]
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2001 1:26 PM
To: sftalk_at_forth.com
Subject: [sftalk] OT VOICE I/O for visually handicapped

I am looking for information on commercially available VOICE I/O for use
with MS Windows [ WIN 95/98 preferred ].

My Pastor has multiple progressive vision problems ( including macular
degeneration ). About two years ago we introduced him to computers with
Bible software which was compatible with screen magnifiers.

He has now completely lost vision in one eye over the last week. He has
partial vision in the other eye, which doctors say 'could remain for 20
yrs. or be gone in a month'. As he has essentially no touch typing
skill, he will require facility to use voice commands as well as
text-to-speech and speech-to-text.
Please send any information to me at rowlett_at_atlascomm.net . Thank you.
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Received on Thu Dec 13 2001 - 08:11:40 PST