Guest Q&A: Ask me about assistive technology, computers and the internet!

alexbarker2020

Hi everyone,

I'm Alex, Advice and Information Officer for AbilityNet.

AbilityNet is a UK based charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology. We've been working with Scope to create a new technology section to highlight some of the software and equipment that can make life easier, more productive and fun!

I'm here on the community for two weeks to answer any questions you have about using computers and the internet to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education.

Oakhill05

Hi my son has cerebral palsy and has no use out of one hand. He struggles a lot at school and he 1-1 support. He gets tired and sick a lot. I was just wondering whats the best technology that can help in school!  He starts year 10 this September and I want him to have the best chance of getting any GCSEs 

alexbarker2020

Hi @Oakhill05,

Thanks for your post. Depending on what level of ability he has in his other hand, I'd be suggesting a compact keyboard with a keyguard on it.  I also wonder if word prediction might be useful too.  If you'd like to talk to me in more detail I'd be happy to help. My number is 0800 269 545.

nanof6

hi alex barker, there is something you could help me with,how can i get a spell checker on the top bar, so like now, im on scope, my spellin is bad, and my emails  but i havnt got a spell checker, ive put my always use like fb  hsbc you yube on this bar , i would love a spell checker on there, so when i get the red lines under the words i can just click, is it posible.?

Stayce

Hi @alexbarker2020

This a great discussion. Wondering whether you can recommend a good dictaphone that will work well with Dragon Naturally Speaking software for those moments away from the desk

I would also strongly recommend a compact keyboard for one handed use @Oakhill05

alexbarker2020

Hi @nanof6.  There are a few options. Can I ask which internet browser you are currently using? Thanks!

alexbarker2020

@Stayce Thanks for your query. Yes you can use a dictaphone with Nuance Naturally Speaking, but the catch is that you need to have a special version of Naturally Speaking.  This is the one you need: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Naturally-Speaking-Premium-13-0/dp/B00LX0TPZW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489482326&sr=8-2&keywords=nuance+naturally+speaking+voice+recorder

Hope this helps!

Stayce

Hi @alexbarker2020

I already have DNS Professional (higher version than premium) so I am looking to just buy a dictaphone that works with DNS - Can You recommend one?

alexbarker2020

@Stayce As long as you have the mobile edition you do have a choice of dictaphones. A lot of people like the Olympus dictaphones. Here's an example! http://www.onedirect.co.uk/olympus/olympus-vn-731pc-voice-recorder?fee=7&fep=98919&gclid=CMnC-ZPd1dICFVW4GwodcAsOdg. Hope that helps you out!

Stayce

Great thanks @alexbarker2020 - perfect 

nanof6

google  window 10

alexbarker2020

@nanof6 if you have two choices. If you use the Firefox web browser you can use the spellchecker app (https://support.mozilla.org/t5/Learn-the-Basics-get-started/How-do-I-use-the-Firefox-spell-checker/ta-p/2580)

if you use Microsoft Edge you can use some of the tools mentioned here: http://www.surfacetablethelp.com/2015/08/how-to-turn-on-spell-checking-text-autocorrect-and-highlight-in-windows-10.html

Hope this helps!

Chris_Alumni

@alexbarker2020, are there any similar options for Chrome?

nanof6

Alex I'm trying it out, can't wait for the weekend.brilliant, thank you so much.

nanof6

Alex barker will I be able to get it on skype ?

alexbarker2020

@Chris_Scope Chrome has it's own add-on. Have a look at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/spell-checker-for-chrome/jfpdnkkdgghlpdgldicfgnnnkhdfhocg?hl=en-US. Hope this helps

nanof6

thanks for your time, Alex barked you have been very helpful.

nanof6

thank you Chris, very informative.

alexbarker2020

@nanof6 Good morning. If you are going to use skype you ought to have a look at this package: http://ursa-spelling.com/. Hope this helps!

nanof6

hi Alex barker I clicked the link downloaded it for skype but no one is there for me to try it out on, so thank you for doing that, can't wait to see how it works, this one on here is great I'm very grateful, I've been struggling for years.I know what the words look like can't seem to right them in the right order, so this is very useful, I can now use words I would never have of used before, I hope other people click that link. thank you once again, Alex.

nanof6

hi Alex barker, can you help me again, I bought echo dot, the small one, it won't let me down load the app on my laptop, but my friend can do it on his phone