My computer
Since 1997, my computer-based communication system has been sponsored and provided by Intel® Corporation. A tablet computer mounted on the arm of my wheelchair is powered by my wheelchair batteries, although the tablet’s internal battery will keep the computer running if necessary.
My main interface to the computer is through an open-source program called ACAT, written by Intel. This provides a software keyboard on the screen. A cursor automatically scans across this keyboard by row or by column. I can select a character by moving my cheek to stop the cursor. My cheek movement is detected by an infrared switch that is mounted on my spectacles. This switch is my only interface with the computer.
ACAT includes a word prediction algorithm provided by SwiftKey, trained on my books and lectures, so I usually only have to type the first couple of characters before I can select the whole word.
When I have built up a sentence, I can send it to my speech synthesiser. I use a separate hardware synthesiser, made by Speech Plus. It is the best I have heard, although it gives me an accent that has been described variously as Scandinavian, American or Scottish.
Through ACAT I can also control the mouse in Windows. This allows me to operate my whole computer. I can check my e-mail using Microsoft Outlook, surf the internet using Firefox, or write lectures using Microsoft Word.
My latest computer from Intel also contains a webcam which I use with Skype to keep in touch with my friends. I can express a lot through my facial expressions to those who know me well.
I can also give lectures. I write the lecture beforehand, then save it to disk. I can then use a part of the ACAT software called Lecture Manager to send it to the speech synthesiser a paragraph at a time. It works quite well and I can try out the lecture and polish it before I give it.
I keep looking into new assistive technologies, and I have experimented with eye-tracking and brain-controlled interfaces to communicate with my computer. However, although they work well for other people, I still find my cheekoperated switch easier and less fatiguing to use.