I've had Parkinson's Disease for about 8 years and my 
handwriting has deteriorated to the point where I can seldom read the notes I make and find it a little difficult to use a standard keyboard or mouse. My AbilityNet assessment began by talking about what my job entails and then by observing me working at my standard PC.
It was suggested that I should consider using a small lightweight laptop so that I could type notes during meetings, and try using a Trackball and smaller keyboard instead of the standard equipment.
I was also very keen to try voice recognition software as I had heard a lot about it, both good and bad. Although my voice is not particularly strong because of my condition, I was amazed to find that on my first attempt at least 90% of my words appeared correctly on the screen. The software was everything that I'd hoped it would be and more. Initially, it will help to improve my productivity and in the longer term it will be the difference between being able to do my job or not.
As is often the case, training is the key. Being left alone with the software package and a laptop is not enough and I was recommended three half-day training sessions from the excellent VoicePower of Otley in Yorkshire. Simon, the trainer from Voice Power, came to my office to deliver the training in my normal work environment. I am deeply indebted to Simon for his excellent training skills, his patience and his kindness which transformed me from a clumsy novice into the clumsy "expert" I am today.
It seems to me that voice recognition software may benefit colleagues with all kinds of different problems. It could help people with RSI or movement disorders such as mine and indeed those with no disabilities often use it as a productivity tool.. Dragon Naturally Speaking can be used with all Microsoft products such as Word, Excel and Outlook although I don't believe it will work with WordPerfect based programs such as case man and family man.
My assessment has made a big difference to my working life and it is reassuring to know that there will be support for me in a year or two when my condition progresses as it inevitably will.
Norman Hepple, Gateshead County Court
Wendy Lawrence has lived with RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) since the nineteen-eighties. As a founding member of the Nottingham RSI Support Group and former Chairman of Trustees of the RSI Association, she has done much to help RSI sufferers and raise awareness of its damaging consequences.
Wendy had to learn computing pretty much from scratch as she had only previously used a simple word processing system. VoicePower recommended Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional, which provided a high degree of accuracy and also enabled her to command and control her computer hands-free.
VoicePower installed and setup Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional on their first visit to Wendy. They also wrote custom VoiceCommands (macros) to help Wendy increase her work flow, by for example, speeding up the process of creating and sending personalised e-mails. These VoiceCommands were provided on a sheet for easy reference during the initial training.
Prior to using voice recognition, Wendy achieved helpful results with the Maltron keyboard over short periods, averaging 20 words per minute. After gradually building up her skills with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Wendy now averages 120 words per minute including the time taken to make corrections. Given that Wendy has never been a touch typist, voice recognition software has significantly improved her productivity since most of her work involves writing.
Using voice recognition with the support of VoicePower has really helped Wendy. She says that having a company that understand RSI and its impact on the user is essential for putting together a long-term strategy for the successful implementation of a hands-free computer solution.
Wendy Lawrence, Nottingham RSI Support Group and former Chairman of Trustees of the RSI Association
My problems with RSI (bilateral tenosynovitis) started in August 1990 following a long period of using manual typewriters, electronic typewriters and just starting to use word processors. In the past I had worked as a personal secretary and Chief Executive's assistant for many years. I initially encountered the problem in one arm and three months later the other arm also became affected.
At that time I worked as Administration Manager and had part-time use of a typist. However, because I could no longer type effectively, I arranged to dictate all my mail on to a dictation machine and this was typed up for me.
To cut a very long story short, it took four years, two consultants, various physiotherapists (including one which I paid for privately as I was in so much pain), many steroid injections and travelling all over greater Manchester to actually get my diagnosis and receive the correct treatment. I was very lucky that during this time I worked at an organisation where I had the use of a typist, otherwise I may have become unemployed as my tenosynovitis became chronic and I was registered disabled.
I was made redundant from this job following 12 years service and was very concerned that I would not be able to find employment because I could not use a PC. Every job I was interested in required PC skills. I went to see the Disablement Employment Adviser at the job centre to discuss my situation and see whether anything positive could be done. I had heard of Dragon NaturallySpeaking and a friend had surfed the Internet for me to locate companies who dealt with Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
The Disablement Employment Adviser told me that if I procured a position, then Access to Work would help with my PC requirements and would carry out a full assessment addressing all areas of my work.
After a period of three months I obtained a position as Service Manager at a local Citizens Advice Bureau, which included travelling round to other Bureaux in that District. After a period of time an organisation called Check Computer Products who worked for the Employment Service carried out a full assessment and I was given a laptop (for travelling around), 14 in. monitor for office use and a printer. The most important item I was given was Dragon NaturallySpeaking, which enabled me, following training sessions to dictate my own e-mails and documents. This assessment and equipment enabled me not only to work again but also to carry out my job as Service Manager in an efficient, organised and most importantly, independent way.
I stayed at the Citizens Advice Bureau for two years and moved on to become Facilities Coordinator at the Disability Rights Commission in Manchester. A further Access to Work assessment was carried out when I initially commenced at the Disability Rights Commission and I was given Dragon NaturallySpeaking five to carry out my tasks, I also received further training sessions. I later changed to Dragon NaturallySpeaking six and now am using version seven. Dragon has improved over the years and with further training from Voice Power I am now becoming very proficient in its use.
During the previous years I had been undergoing regular, periodic physiotherapy sessions because of my chronic condition and if I had not been introduced to Dragon NaturallySpeaking when my disability commenced I would have found it very difficult finding employment.
Susan Garnett, Dragon NaturallySpeaking User
Janet Turner works for MWH Ltd based in Wakefield, she has worked here since 1990. At first her job was secretarial and although Janet was new to word-processing she was previously qualified in shorthand and typewriting. In early 1995 Janet started to use Microsoft Excel for finance work, duties included invoicing, backing sheets and spreadsheets.
As Janet had had no formal training on Microsoft Excel she had to learn on the job and literally taught herself. These duties and workload escalated very rapidly and the working hours gradually increased. In January of 1998 Janet first identified problems, she noticed that in the evenings after work her right hand was only comfortable if it was in a position of holding the mouse. At this stage Janet got in contact with the RSI association, information was sent to Janet and she became a member. Janet's workload continued to increase and in May of 1999 MWH Ltd purchased a keyboard tray with touch pad, this helped a little. In June 2000 a doctor specialising in upper limit disorders diagnosed Janet with tenosynovitis.
On her GP's advice Janet contacted Access to Work in Leeds in November 2001, this resulted in an assessment in January 2002. Following these recommendations Janet had on trial, and then purchased, a Gold Touch ergonomic keyboard with a separate numeric keypad. The separate keypad was rarely used particularly as Janet is proficient with the keyboard numbers as she is a touch typist. Janet had developed a tendency to use the keyboard and shortcut keystrokes for ease. During this time Janet was advised to use splints, which she found increasingly uncomfortable and difficult to work with. Janet resorted to tubi-grips and then she opted for using the splints without the metal inside, for support only. Janet continued to use keystrokes on the keyboard rather than the mouse.
" I have found shortcut keys to be very useful and feel more information should be given about these when learning word-processing. Keystrokes can also be utilised when using voice recognition software as you can instruct the software to "press control p" rather than pressing them on the keyboard." (Janet Turner, November 2003)
Last November Janet had an external DSE assessment by AbilityNet when it was felt that voice recognition software might help. Janet was sceptical about the voice recognition software as her work involves figures and spreadsheets rather than text.
" I spoke to Janet at the RSI association exhibition and conference in Nottingham, she expressed her concerns about using voice recognition for her job as she mainly uses Microsoft Excel. I advised Janet that improvements in functionality in Microsoft Excel have occurred and that Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 7 was certainly a viable option." (Sonja de Wit Brown, VoicePower trainer, November 2003)
In May this year I went to MWH Ltd and met Janet again what a coincidence! I installed the software and set up Dragon to work optimally. As Janet had such a comprehensive knowledge of keystrokes we were able to create many voice commands, which automated areas of Janet's work.
" Despite teething problems I have found Dragon very helpful. It has proved successful and I'm now using it daily rather than when I think it will help." (Janet Turner, November 2003)
Janet was a very competent user and during our second-half day training Janet was able to create a number of automated voice commands to assist her with her repetitive and regular tasks. It is very important with voice recognition software that specialist knowledge and training is available to end-users. This software is very specialised and can be quite complex. This was supported by Nuala Davies, Manager, AbilityNet London, at the RSI Association Conference and Exhibition, 19th September 2003, in her talk entitled 'Voice Recognition: miracle or myth'.
"There are still occasions when the software doesn't do what I want, but overall it has helped to get my speed back without the pain I would have experienced." (Janet Turner, MWH Ltd, November 2003)
It is also important that an individual who intends to use voice recognition software not only has the support of a specialist company and training but that they have the motivation and positive attitude to this solution. It can be a viable and feasible option but patience and motivation are required.