










                       KAITLIN'S GUIDE TO

                    ALTERNATIVE I/O* SOFTWARE

         (For IBM-compatible PCs running DOS or Windows)




























*Input/Output



                           (c) 1994, Kaitlin Computer Consultants





                         INTRODUCTION

     This guide is intended primarily for individuals with 
physical and/or sensory limitations that restrict their effective 
use of standard input and output devices (ie., keyboards, mice, 
monitors). However, many of the products listed may be of 
interest to individuals who suffer from chronic pain conditions,  
eye strain, headaches, neck and shoulder pains, or wrist pains 
after an extended period of computer use. Use of some of these 
alternatives may reduce the risk of repetitive stress injury.

     This guide does not pretend to be a list of all available 
products, but rather an overview of some of the possibilities. 
Where comparisons or end-user comments are available, they are 
included. Remember that these may be one individual's opinion, 
and that others may differ depending on their particular 
circumstances. If possible, test competitive products before 
buying. Demo versions are sometimes available and, if we are 
aware of them, that information is indicated.

     When purchasing any program or device it is important to 
take into consideration the end-user's requirements and each 
program's suitability to the tasks for which it will be used. KCC 
can be consulted regarding the purchase of an IBM compatible 
computer system and software requirements. We also recommend 
consulting local area computer dealers. A good dealer will be 
willing to discuss the various abilities of different programs 
and computer components. NEVER buy a computer system without 
knowing the make and capability of the various components or you 
may wind up with the cheapest product on the market and one 
unable to handle your future needs. Also take into consideration 
the upgradeability of your computer system, unless you intend to 
upgrade by purchasing a whole new computer system. If you do not 
intend to purchase a new computer in entirety, a good computer 
system should last you many years if you are able to upgrade the 
components individually to suit your needs and budget. 

     When purchasing an assistive program or device, the attitude 
of the manufacturer or their registered dealer is of the utmost 
importance. If the manufacturer's customer service and technical 
support advice is slack, unhelpful or prohibitively expensive, 
you may wish to consider products by another company. If the 
service personnel are not willing to discuss their products and 
the suitability of such products to a potential customer's needs, 
then they apparently do not want to sell their products. It is 
the company's responsibility to aid their customers and you 
should accept nothing less.  Unfortunately, KCC cannot guarantee 
that you will receive helpful responses from all the companies 
whose products are listed within this guide. We have listed 
products because we consider that the product may be helpful; 
some of the companies listed within have not been.

     A number of programs exist in the screen reader and voice 
navigation categories that are available on the general market or 
bundled with mainstream multimedia sound cards. Some of these 
programs are mentioned or reviewed in this guide. However, these 
programs are usually intended for the general public. KCC 
strongly recommends the purchase of programs designed 
specifically for the disabled.  In the majority of cases, the 
design of the controls, the ease of use, and the overall accuracy 
of operation make such programs well worth the cost for serious, 
long-term use.

     Comments upon any of the products listed in this guide, or  
information upon products not listed within, are welcome.

     The prices listed are the manufacturer's suggested retail 
price and are subject to change without notice. System 
requirements are the minimum required for successful operation. 
Software requirements with #.x version numbers refer to the 
lowest version of the software supported (eg. DOS 3.x means DOS 
3.0 or higher). 

     Disclaimer: Inclusion of product summaries and opinions does
not constitute endorsement of those products. We assume no
responsibility for product claims made by manufacturers. 

     Product names used in this guide are trademarks of their 
respective manufacturers.

     For individuals who are looking for a comprehensive source, 
or other sources of information, some possibilities are listed in 
the appendix A.

     For information on ordering this guide or obtaining updates, 
see appendix B.

     Some of the products listed in this guide are available as 
shareware/freeware, or demonstration versions can be obtained from the 
manufacturer (directly or via the Internet). If you experience any 
difficulty in obtained such products, KCC can provide assistance in 
regards to programs marked [*]. See appendix B for information on 
contacting Kaitlin Computer Consultants.




________________________________________________________________

This information has been compiled by KAITLIN COMPUTER
CONSULTANTS from a variety of sources, and is continually being 
updated. We cannot guarantee its accuracy, and suggest you call 
the manufacturer or dealer for complete technical specifications, 
prices and availability.  


(LAST REVISION: JANUARY 1995)





                      TABLE OF CONTENTS


INTRODUCTION                                       INTRO.TXT


SECTION A: ALTERNATE INPUT

A1. KEYSTROKE MODIFICATION AND MOUSE EMULATION     INPUT.TXT

A2. KEYBOARD ALTERNATIVES                          INPUT.TXT

A3. SHORTHAND AND WORD PREDICTION                  INPUT.TXT

A4. VOICE ACTIVATION/NAVIGATION SYSTEMS            INPUT.TXT

A5. DICTATION SYSTEMS
     I)  Word Recognition Systems                  INPUT.TXT
     II) Speech Recognition Systems                INPUT.TXT


SECTION B: ALTERNATE OUTPUT

B1. SCREEN MAGNIFIERS                              OUTPUT1.TXT

B2. SCREEN READERS
     I)  DOS Screen Readers                        OUTPUT1.TXT
     II) Windows Screen Readers                    OUTPUT1.TXT

B3. PAGE READERS                                   OUTPUT2.TXT

B4. AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION                     OUTPUT2.TXT

B5. SPEECH SYNTHESIZERS
     I)   Internal Synthesizers                    OUTPUT2.TXT
     II)  External Synthesizers                    OUTPUT2.TXT
     III) MultiMedia Sound Cards                   OUTPUT2.TXT

B6. TRANSLATION SOFTWARE                           OUTPUT2.TXT

B7. PROGRAMS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED              OUTPUT2.TXT


SECTION C: HANDY UTILITIES

C1. TIME/STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS                HANDY.TXT

C2. MISCELLANEOUS UTILITIES                        HANDY.TXT


MANUFACTURER'S INDEX                               INDEX.TXT


APPENDIX A - OTHER SOURCES
     I)   Internet Gophers                         INDEX.TXT
     II)  Organizations                            INDEX.TXT
     III) Periodicals                              INDEX.TXT
     IV)  Resource Guides                          INDEX.TXT


APPENDIX B - ORDERING INFORMATION                  INDEX.TXT





SECTION A INTRODUCTION: ALTERNATE INPUT

     The use of a computer can present a number of challenges to 
disabled individuals. For persons with mobility impairments and 
sufferers of chronic pain conditions, such as repetitive stress 
injury (RSI), the entry of data into a computer may pose the 
greatest problem. There are various software and hardware devices  
designed to address these difficulties.
 
     Hardware-only approaches consist mainly of ergonomic 
devices, such as keyboards and computer desks, that have been 
designed to reduce the risk of injury from prolonged use of a 
computer. Software solutions that may help avoid computer usage 
injuries are generally designed to reduce the number of 
keystrokes required through either word prediction or voice 
input.

     In addition to voice input, there are programs that permit 
someone with a mobility impairment to enter keystrokes or control
a mouse with one finger, a mouthstick, or some other specialized 
device. These latter possibilities include using a pointing 
device to enter keystrokes from an onscreen keyboard, or a 
"single-switch" device to enter keystrokes via Morse code. 

     Alternative input software ranges from simple TSRs 
(terminate-and-stay-resident programs) that aid in one finger or 
single-switch typing, to fully featured dictation programs that 
allow the entry and editing of text with minimum use of a 
keyboard.

     This guide does not deal with hardware devices. To acquire 
ergonomic hardware, KCC recommends contacting local computer 
resellers for more information. Single-switch devices and 
modified keyboards, however, will not likely be available at 
standard computer stores. KCC recommends contacting health care 
professionals such as occupational therapists for help in 
locating an appropriate hardware input aid. The resource books 
listed in Appendix A can also provide information on some of 
these products and the names of their manufacturers.





SECTION B INTRODUCTION: ALTERNATE OUTPUT

     Modified computer output addresses a more varied set of  
difficulties than does alternative input. Nevertheless, many of 
the alternative output strategies involve synthesized speech. 
They either talk to the user, or for the user.

     In this guide, sections B1, B2, and B3 deal with devices for 
the use of the visually impaired and the blind.  The program 
categories consist of:

1. magnification programs to make onscreen text and graphics 
     easier to see,

2. programs that, through the intermediary of a speech 
     synthesizer (see section B7), read screen information to the
     user, and

3. programs that convert a computer into a device for reading 
     books, magazines, and other printed documents.

     Section B4 concerns programs that allow non-speaking  
individuals to have their computer and a speech synthesizer speak 
for them.

     Since speech synthesizers are required by so many of the 
products in the alternative output section, we have included a 
section, B7, with information on the features and requirements of
the various synthesizers available for PCs.

     There are many hardware alternatives available, generally 
stand-alone products that do not require a computer, which can be 
used to achieve results similar to the programs and devices 
listed in this guide. The manufacturers of alternative output 
software are among the best sources available for information on 
stand-alone hardware products. The resource books listed in 
Appendix A can also provide information on some of these products 
and the names of their manufacturers.

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