[Athen] AT solution for student with brain injury

[Monica Olsson]

Looks like co:Writer<https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cowriter-universal-app/lahlmdogjpblkonckkgbljegkiijjbag?hl=en> is still a thing.




[Title: SBCTC logo - Description: Compass]

Monica M. Olsson (she/her/hers)

Policy Associate – Accessible IT Coordinator

Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

molsson at sbctc.edu<mailto:molsson at sbctc.edu> • o: 360-704-3922 • c: 206-914-7187

sbctc.edu<https://www.sbctc.edu/> • Twitter: @SBCTCWashington<https://twitter.com/SBCTCWashington> • Facebook: @WASBCTC<https://www.facebook.com/wasbctc/>

________________________________
From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> on behalf of Dan Comden <danc at uw.edu>
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2022 3:46 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] AT solution for student with brain injury

Hey Justin,
I'd look at a couple of different approaches for this student, esp if fatigue is a factor. They can switch between methods to reduce fatigue that could result from a single approach.

Something like a head pointer, on-screen keyboard (with word prediction) can give hands/arms a rest.
Combine that with something that allows for word prediction (is Co:Writer still a thing?) in using standard input.
There's always switch input as a fallback but from your description, it may not be needed.

Based on your summary, I don't think pursuing speech input makes much sense. If basic dictation in Windows is not working well, it's likely that Dragon will be just as frustrating. Certainly going with a headset microphone would be the first step. I keep seeing folks struggling with speech trying to use the crappy built-in microphones on their laptops.

I've been playing with LipSurf<https://www.lipsurf.com/> a bit -- it's a really cool extension for the Chrome browser that works much better than Dragon for browsing. Again, I'd recommend a headset over a desktop/laptop microphone. Could be this is a solution for general web browsing but if speech is difficult, it may not be worth spending a bunch of time pursuing.

-*- Dan

On Mon, Feb 28, 2022 at 10:46 AM Romack, Justin <justinr at disability.tamu.edu<mailto:justinr at disability.tamu.edu>> wrote:

Howdy assistive technology aficionados!



I’m working with a student who has damage to their brain stem as a result of cancer and treatment.



This student’s noted barrier is in writing. Their speech and dexterity / motor control has been impacted. I can have a conversation with this student and understand them reasonably well, but I do have concerns about Dragon’s effectiveness. They did mention trying the built-in speech recognition inside of MS Word and stated this solution was not useful. They also have difficulty using a mouse or keyboard for extended periods of time.



We will look at Dragon as an option, but I’m curious what other solutions or strategies you all might suggest?



Always grateful!



Thanks,

J









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Justin Romack  | Assistive Technology Coordinator

Disability Resources | Texas A&M University

1224 TAMU | College Station, TX 77843-1224



ph: 979.845.1637 | justinr at disability.tamu.edu<mailto:justinr at disability.tamu.edu> | disability.tamu.edu<http://disability.tamu.edu>

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--
-*- Dan Comden                       danc at uw.edu<mailto:danc at washington.edu>
    Access Technology Center   www.uw.edu/itconnect/accessibility/atl/<http://www.uw.edu/itconnect/accessibility/atl/>
    University of Washington      UW Information Technology

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