I would like to suggest that you look at the information or JawBone which is
listed on the WebSite http://www.ngtvoice.com. We developed this software
interface to allow blind computer users to use JAWS for Windows and Dragon
NaturallySpeaking simultaneously. Currently the version 1.5 JawBone
automates JAWS for Windows version 3.2 and NaturallySpeaking Professional
3.01. The beta edition of JawBone version 2.0 will finish testing in the
next several weeks and allow people to use the recently released JAWS for
Windows version 3.3 and Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional version 3.52.
This is not to say that the challenges of training the software have been
eliminated, but by automating the General Training and the Correction Dialog
window it does provide independent use of this technology by blind computer
users (the developer of this technology is blind, and I believe this
provided him with some unique insights on how to construct the program).
Also, on the Pentium III processor the training time for Dragon
NaturallySpeaking Preferred (which we're not working with) has been
significantly reduced-there's also a "hack" that allows you to change the
registry requirement so that you can read less to the computer-this comes at
the expense of initial accuracy, of course.
I find that command and control macros can be particularly effective for
blind computer users at this eliminates the need to find the keys in order
to keystroke commands (things like "Switch to Word", "Get Me A Fax
Coversheet", etc.).-Ed.
Yours Sincerely, Edward S. Rosenthal, President and CEO, Next Generation
Technologies, Inc. Ph:425-744-1100 ext.15;
Fx:425-778-5547;Email:Fx:425-778-5547;Email:edward@ngtvoice.com.
DICTATED WITH DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING PROFESSIONAL (ver. 3.52)- TOUCH FREE
COMMAND OF YOUR COMPUTER!
-----Original Message-----
We have not had too much success using Dragon Dictate or Dragon Naturally
Speaking with blind students. It requires the student to correct mistakes
to keep the recognition up to speed. Low vision students who are capable of
actually seeing the screen have had better luck.
Dragon Dictate is a distinct speech program. It tries to recognize each
individual word by comparing it to a voice graph dictionary. As the
students uses and trains the program the dictionary becomes more accurate
if the student continually corrects it when it makes a mistake. If the
student does not correct the error, it will be more likely to make the same
mistake again.
Dragon Naturally Speaking works on a different model. It uses "continuous
speech" to try to recognize whole phrases. It then places the text into the
wordprocessor in blocks. We have not used it much because we have not been
able to use it with totally blind students using a screen reader. It also
takes about 1 to 2 hours to do the initial training. Unfortunately you can
not stop in the middle and restart at a later time.
I am available in the Fall to show you some of the programs. I travel 2
days per week working with teachers of the visually impaired. Let me know
if I can be of any more help.
Jim Carreon, Technology Coordinator
California School f/t Blind
500 Walnut Ave
Fremont, CA 94536
(510) 794-3800 x237
jcarreon@csb.cde.ca.gov
-------------
Original Text
From: Jill From: Jill Rivers@From: Jill Rivers@Team@DCN, on 6/2/99 11:50 AM:
RE:
<My name is Ken Wallis and I work for the Fresno County Office of
Education in Fresno, CA. I work for the Information Systems and
Technology department and I specifically service the Special Education
Department. I found this site while I was looking for Voice recognition
software. I have a teacher at a elementary school, that would like to
get software of this type. If you know of any software on the market,
that would be good for visually impaired students please let me know.
Thank you for you time, and have a great day!>
Ken: I am Jill Rivers, AT Specialist for Diagnostic Center, North, CA DOE,
and would like to refer you to my colleague, Jim Carreon who is the
Technology Coordinator for the CA School for the Blind, here in Fremont,
<<jcarreon@instr@csb.cde.ca.gov> . Jim uses Dragon Systems, speech
recognition products with screen reading and inlarging software programs
for many students with visual impairments. He is available for
consulatation, and you are welcome to visit his lab, of course all of the
above require appointments with Jim. We hear such great things about
Fresno COE and your wonderful video conferencing / training
system...perhaps we could set up video conference time to discuss and demo
software solutions for students with VI ??
My email is <jrivers@supreme.cde.ca.gov>
---------
From: <spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org>, on 2/10/2036 1:01 AM:
Hi,
My name is Ken Wallis and I work for the Fresno County Office of
Education in Fresno, CA. I work for the Information Systems and
Technology department and I specifically service the Special Education
Department. I found this site while I was looking for Voice recognition
software. I have a teacher at a elementary school, that would like to
get software of this type. If you know of any software on the market,
that would be good for visually impaired students please let me know.
Thank you for you time, and have a great day!
Ken Wallis
PC/Network Tech
Fresno County Office of Education
<KWallis@fcoe.k12.ca.us>
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