Service Dogs and Technology Collide As One

With today’s assistive technology, Canine Companions for Independence collides with technology in that service dogs can be used with a variety of different power chairs and scooters. Service dogs can facilitate individuals with disabilities just like assistive technology.

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), established in 1975, is a philanthropic organization that provides service dogs to individuals with disabilities. They provide four distinct types of service dogs (service, assisted service, hearing and facility) for individuals with a plethora of disabilities. The dogs are proficient in an array of different commands and tasks that coincide with the client’s specific needs. Some examples include, but are not limited to, opening doors, retrieving items, and pulling a wheelchair. One of the most beneficial features of being paired with a service dog is its ability to provide emotional support.

Applicants who may qualify for CCI services can enlist by requesting an application online. Those who qualify must undergo a phone and in person interview to receive a dog. Once approved, in order to become more acclimated with the dog, recipients must attend a two-week training with the dog at a CCI facility.

Having the privilege to know a CCI volunteer puppy raiser and having done my research has given me the credentials to understand what the organization has to offer. I’ve had the opportunity to meet a CCI dog in training named Midnight. She is a Labrador retriever with a docile demeanor who is extremely obedient. She answers to a variety of commands and engages in basic skills in order to facilitate her future companion.

 I strongly recommend this organization to anyone who is in need of the service dog. It is the oldest and most reputable organization that provides dogs free of charge. Individuals who are disabled do not have to compromise their independence or security when having a service dog.

For further information on how to obtain a dog or offer to volunteer for CCI please contact CCI at 631-561-0200 or you can visit the website at www.caninecompanions.org

Alexa has ‘skillz’

Since, the Amazon Echo is such a conducive and sophisticated tool it is serviceable in so many different outlets. This allows for spontaneous and lucid access. In order to reap the advantageousness of the Echo, the user must download the Alexa app to their phone, which features an infinite amount of skills. Users who have difficulties accessing their phone may have trouble adding skills. The Echo skills are similar to phone apps. They can do a plethora of tasks such as; rehash data, notify people, play music, and give direction among an incredulous amount of other capabilities.

One skill of Alexa that behooved me was the enormous amount of meditation skills. I found them to be quite relaxing, therapeutic, and enjoyable given that I do yoga on a daily basis. I highly recommend the meditation skills Peaceful Meditation and ZenMood to anybody who is depressed or overwhelmed with anxiety.

Ask My Buddy is a complementary service that works on the Amazon Echo, similar to a ‘Life Alert’ emergency contact system. People who are physically impaired can now live independently and alert their personal contacts with the sound of their voice if in need of help or medical attention. The app will send an expedited message via phone and/or email. When I first accessed Ask My Buddy, it had a difficult time understanding my voice, but as time progressed it became familiar with my voice. When my contacts were alerted, they were flustered since I did not explain the program ahead of time. I strongly recommend you do!!! Overall, I think it’s a wonderful service in which people do not have to compromise their independence or security. Please be advised that Ask My Buddy should not be used in place of 911.

These are two of many skills that Alexa has to offer. Do you use any Alexa skills that you find interesting or beneficial and would like to share?

Let’s meet Alexa!!!!!

The Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are intricate devices that use smart technology and a personal assistant named Alexa to carry out a plethora of mundane tasks. Some of the positive attributes include news, reminders, time, alarms, music, calculators, and more. The system is controlled entirely by the user, primarily by saying the word Alexa. In order for Alexa to run properly you must have an Internet connection and an Amazon account.

When the Echo first permeated the market in November 2014, people were not cognizant of how it would facilitate disabled people in their everyday agenda until individuals were able to try it out for themselves. For example, my uncle who is blind uses Alexa in everyday life. The Echo helps him with a myriad of tasks such as listening to the news and getting the date and time. At first he was very reluctant to explore Alexa but after he used it he felt it was the best thing he ever tried. He now has everything at his fingertips which was once a struggle.

Based on my voluminous research and ongoing experience I can honestly say that I strongly recommend the Echo to anyone who’s interested in the technology. Given all its functions and features, the only setback that I find with it is the quality of the speakers. What entices me the most is its ability to send reminders to my phone given my hectic lifestyle.

If you are interested in what the Echo has to offer please click below to check out my video:
Fallon meets Alexa!

Learning the basics of Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software by Nuance is like no other application of its kind. It enables the user to manipulate the computer entirely by voice. This program allows you to effortlessly compose documents, send emails, and surf the web among many other things. What makes Dragon more reputable than its competitors is its capacity to be almost one hundred percent accurate and work on a myriad of different platforms that are compatible with all types of technology. The three predominant features the assistive technology has to offer is speech to text, text to speech and recognition of voice commands.

Dragon facilitates individuals with an array of disabilities by ameliorating their weaknesses and focusing on their strengths. By opening the door to many different opportunities, it allows people with disabilities to get the most out of life. Depending on your disability you can use Dragon in a multitude of ways. It can help as an alternative to typing, spelling, and reading text you have dictated.  Dragon is compatible and convenient it’s widely used in schools, nursing homes, offices, and hospitals.

Since I’ve been using this software, I became more confident and self-reliant in my skills and abilities. It has allowed me to effortlessly articulate my thoughts freely, helping me become an avid writer. One of the features that I find most paramount is its ability to accurately edit and make corrections. From my ongoing experience with the software, I can honestly say that doing work is no longer an austere task, but a pleasure that I look forward to every day. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in assistive technology. 

Click her to watch someone using Dragon first hand!
https://youtu.be/JvgUx9tu-0g

Introducing, Fallon, our new blog author!

Hello, my name is Fallon Marie Hughes. I am an avid researcher and computer enthusiast in the realm of assistive technology.  I’ve been physically disabled since birth; therefore, I use assistive technology called Dragon Naturally Speaking to facilitate me in my everyday life. It allows me to be self-reliant and confident in my skills and abilities. This past December, I started technology training at Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) to make my skills more marketable   in the public sector.

 WIHD accommodates individuals with a broad spectrum of disabilities and needs to meet their desired endeavors.  The assistive technology department provides training and evaluations, fostering support in areas such as academics, computer access and communication skills. Their loan program allows clients to try out various distinctive types of technology free of charge. The dedicated zealous staff works in the office and out in the field to educate individuals from all walks of life about the imperativeness of assistive technology.  If you’re interested in learning about what WIHD has to offer please contact Jessica at ATP@WIHD.org

As a tenacious consumer of Westchester Institute for Human Development, they have bestowed upon me the privilege to share in their mission.  I will provide lucrative information on various types of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, in blogs that I will post twice a month. If you are interested in a specific topic or have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at techblogspot89@gmail.com

Windows Voice Recognition

Windows users also have free voice recognition integrated into their WIndows 7 and Vista computers. Microsoft's speech recognition can have a high degree of reliability and accuracy. It seems to perform best with very clear, articulate, adult, male voices. Our experience tells us that most folks (including experienced users) have a higher degree of accuracy when using Dragon Naturally Speaking software. Generally, people are not too tolerant of ANY decrease in accuracy and therefore choose Dragon over MS speech recognition.

Nuance (creators of Dragon as well as all voice recognition on iDevices, including Siri) just updated their software to 12! Accuracy of Dragon Naturally Speaking software has been excellent since version 8, but accuracy does seem to improve slightly with each version! Version 12 is offering an interactive tutorial with exercises to promote proper use, better Gmail/Hotmail support, as well as smart format rules and improved transcription capabilities from iOS devices.

In order to best use ANY computer based voice recognition program you need the following:

1) A speedy computer with a fast processor and plenty of RAM (click here for recs)

2) A high quality, noise cancelling microphone - we have had best results using the VXI Talk Pro microphones - USB and bluetooth - speechrecsolutions.com is FAST and has knowledgeable support!

3) Knowledgeable support to train in proper techniques, thereby avoiding frustration

4) AND practice, practice, practice in fun, motivating activities, BEFORE tackling homework assignments!

Our next posts will discuss using voice recognition in special situations, such as with struggling readers or as a mouse substitute.

 

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Mac Voice Recognition

Mac OS X Mountain Lion users can use the built-in voice recognition feature that is very similar to the iPad version. To activate Dictation, simply double press the function key when you have wireless access. The program will transcribe up to 30 seconds of dictated text, but does not have command recognition features.

If you are looking for a more robust voice recognition program, try the new Dragon Dictate 3 - ideally in conjunction with a high quality, noise cancelling USB or Bluetooth microphone for optimal results. While I personally have not had the opportunity to test the latest version, I was initially excited to learn that the update (not free) reported improved, more efficient editing, similar to the Windows versions of Dragon. Previously, Mac users could only easily correct dictated phrases or sentences- it was a much more arduous process to correct individual words. Older versions of the program also had difficulty keeping track of text,especially if you mixed voice with keyboard use (even keyboard commands), working best in their basic word processor or surprisingly in MS Word 2011! The new version seems to resolve this problem more automically in native programs such as mail, but does so in others by using an separate dictation box - see below.

New features also include smart formatting and support for transcription from audio recorded on your iPhone or Android device and better Bluetooth support to use these devices as a microphone! As always, the company also boasts improved accuracy!

Click here to see a video of Dragon Dictate 3 for Mac

In the past, if you relied heavily on voice recognition support, we recommended use of Nuance's Windows version of Dragon (Naturally Speaking). Perhaps this is still the case despite the recent upgrade.

If you have the chance to try Mac Dictate 3, let us know what you think!

Our next blog will explore Windows voice recognition options.

 

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