How can I use technology better to bypass this disability?

June 10, 2009 2:36 AM

My condition has slowly stopped me using the keyboard and mouse, and now the pen. I need some help thinking of ways to finish my PhD and to live somewhat of a normal life. Hive mind, what can shiny technology do for me?

Over the last six months I have gradually lost the use of my hands for computer and pen related purposes. I'm in the second year of my PhD and being very well supported by the disability services at my institution. the hope is in the next six months I will get a laptop with voice recognition. I'm using Dragon 9 software, at the moment I only have a PC, so am home bound for working. I should hopefully be able to borrow a high spec digital recorder from next week.

But I need ideas and help to work out how technology might help me on a daily basis. Things I'd particularly need help with include diary planning, ways to use audio recordings of meetings without having to listen to them again in full, and any ideas about how I can make things happen without writing or typing them down. (At the moment, I can use a pen for writing a time and a name down, but anything more is too painful). I can also still use the iPod touch as long as it's not clicking motions (though that may be a case from my cold dead hands...)

I don't particularly need medical advice at the moment as I am being seen by good doctors, really this is a life hacker meets disability question.

posted by Augenblick to technology (7 comments total)

I know this seems obvious, but in case you've not thought of it, can you ask a friend to help you, to almost be your secretary?

You could even see if you can pay someone to do it if you feel bad about the time or committment involved - I bet someone would do it for not much, there's enough people looking for flexible employment out there.

Hell, I'm in London, if I can help in the short-term then let me know!
posted by greenish at 4:36 AM on June 10

What is _not_ working about Dragon 9 that you need something else?
posted by tcv at 5:16 AM on June 10

I don't have any great tech recommendations, but you might consider emailing the folks at Lifehacker. This sounds like it's right up their alley, and they often will post a reader question to get more input from people if they don't have a great solution.
posted by entropic at 5:42 AM on June 10

Are you in touch with your university's student services? I used to work with that department to help students who needed notetaking assistance, Dragon and Kurzweil training, etc. One of the academics was a quadraplegic and did everything with Dragon. You may benefit from more training or help with using it with Outlook etc.

Your university should also have facilities for you on campus - eg at the library people who can help collect and copy materials for you, Kurzweil machines etc. So you shouldn't be stuck at home.

Good luck!
posted by wingless_angel at 6:20 AM on June 10 [1 favorite has favorites]

Seconding the suggestion on hiring a secretary - using humans to keep you in the loop will probably work better than any technological solution.
posted by chrisinseoul at 6:47 AM on June 10

Have you ever used Dasher as an input system? It's a very cool way to input text and only requires you to be able to control a point in 2 axes. This could be done with a joystick, eye-tracker, mouse pointer, etc.
posted by odinsdream at 6:51 AM on June 10

Seconding talking to your library/IT help section at uni - at mine we have a room at each library with Dragon software and other assistive technology set up on the computer, as well as people who can give you training and other assistance with getting your work done.
posted by eclecticlibrary at 10:03 PM on June 10