I was told by my disability couselor at college about a computer software that could help us rsders. It is called Dragon Naturally Speaking. It allows us to talk to the computer while the computer types for us. It takes a little time to train the computer to your voice, but it is suppose to be a very good software. If you look online it usually costs from $150-$200+, but I was lucky enough to find mine at Target for $30.00 plus tax. It comes with your headset and software. I have not put it on my computer yet but I am going to to try it out and I will let you guys know how it really works. My disability counselor really believes in it so I think it is worth a shot.

Hi new friend,
I did go to college when I was turning 50 and needed to retrain. I went through the office of vocational rehabilatation in our county and also the college disability office. THe OVR office purchased a lap top, and Dragoin dictate, also Office and OCR optical character recognition software. I could scan my documents and use MS word to fill it in. I used my laptop and Dragon to take my test in the office in the disability room. I had as much time as I needed not limited to the class time or less.

With Dragon, the trick is to talk normal, don;t pause between words. Say the entire sentence as if in conversation. Train it too ALOT! Read the stories it has and keep going....then when you need to correct something like issue if it comes up tissue, the next time it will remember. Even proper names of instructors, long ones if I say correct "XXXXX" and type in what is correct, it will remember the name next time.

Other items I had were a rolling bookbag, Fat BIC XL foam pens for writing, I also had a tutor for my chemistry class, I had a 3.75 GPA but never had a chemistry class and this was tough stuff. Don;t forget I had been out of school over 30 years.

Good luck in school,
Dianne
PS I also received financial assistance from office of voc rehab. About $3000 a year.

Thank you for the info. It is very helpful. I will remember all that. I have learned to buy big pens, pencils,and highlighters. they are very helpful. I also have a rolling back pack. I am going into the health field as a health information tech. I am hoping I can do the work after I get out of school. I have one year left. The rsd is starting to spread and I have no sensory function in my dominant hand. It has started in my right hand and is already in my left shoulder. Thanks again.

Tracy

Hi Tracy

I use dragon and I have a teeny weeny laptop that fits on my wheelchair for it to go on. I also use OmniPage 15 for scanning documents into the computer and have a dictator machine which then sets the word to text on the computer. I also use desk pins and autohotkeys. I got it all configured together so that I can "type" almost faster than "normal" people. I am looking at getting an eyescan mouse software soon because using the mouse with dragon is abit hard and dragon doesn't really like my voice that much. I also have a switch enabled laptop, but am not using them at the moment. Oh, I also use word prediction software and I used to use dasher alot before my arms got really bad. The uni also supplies me with a note taker and a scribe - in exams and for doing assignments and I get Disability support money throughout the year to pay for extra books etc.

Love

Frogga xxxxxxx

PS - It is important to have a high quality microphone with Dragon and to do the training properly!