Specialized Software Sought

[Dallas E Webster]

I have a client with motor (moderate-to-significant), verbal (mild-to-moderate) and learning (mild) impairments, who desires to use CLASS funding to apply AT to get past some hurdles. Her IPC team has looked at my detailed evaluation and recommendations, and has decided to concentrate of three software support areas: Speech Recognition, Money Management and Typing. This client's impairments suggest that she can clearly use GP COTS (general purpose, commercial off-the-shelf) software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking or Windows Speech Recognition, Quicken or Excel Templates and Typing Instructor or Mavis Beacon Teaches etc. She learns slowly but surely, with guidance. Other clients might not do so well, but I have used these successfully with some people with similar abilities.

Her CLASS CM thinks (Are you sitting down?) DADS will not approve of any such software, but will fund only if the software was "targeted specifically for individuals with disabilities". Despite recent disconcerting post-Cost-Containment-Initiative experience with DADS, I don't really believe they are that myopic. But I thought I'd try to see whether any of you can recommend any such specialized software. Dragon Naturally Speaking likely addresses speech impediments better than anything that is pure software (I know of some hardware/software research, but no current products.

There are lots of alternatives Money Management software/sites that are much easier to use than Quicken or Excel, even when supported by well-constructed templates, especially some for kids. (But she has access to those already, and has used them a little.)

Typing software is a natural for a specialized entry, e.g., teaching two-fingered or two-fingers per hand technique. When I use the COTS programs, I do feel like I'm forcing them to do things it wasn't meant to do. And I feel that I have to use more than one program to cover this client. I know of several tutorial programs or courses, and hardware, that apply to various motor/physical challenges (one-hand, multiple fingers on each hand etc.), but have not used any. Of course, speech recognition is often the best "typing" program, but that is already at issue.

The client is able to use an iPhone or Android smartphone, not without their own challenges. which might open up some interesting possibilities. Smartphones are not good typing platforms for speed improvement. (It is actually more of an equalizer, making 1-2 fingered, clumsy typists out of us all.) Swype on an iPad might offer an improvement for her vs. normal on-screen keyboards. But most of the apps I know of on these touchscreen platforms are not "specifically designed for people with disabilities".

Your insight is appreciated -- including pointers.

P.S.: I am still looking for good literacy software and web sites. Amazingly, although there are lots of candidates, they all seem to have a Catch-22, requiring some reading ability to be able to use them to learn to read,

 

Dallas Webster
Assistive Technology Specialist
Upstream Technology
Making the Best of Your Abilities
(512)795-9760
(512)461-4696 (cell)
(512)795-9763 (voice/fax)
dal...@upstreamtech.org
www.upstreamtech.org