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Print this PageAccommodation and Compliance Series:
Options to Consider: Speech Recognition
Introduction
JAN’s Accommodation and Compliance Series is designed to help employers determine effective accommodations and comply with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Each publication in the series addresses a specific medical condition and provides information about the condition, ADA information, accommodation ideas, and resources for additional information.
The Accommodation and Compliance Series is a starting point in the accommodation process and may not address every situation. Accommodations should be made on a case by case basis, considering each employee’s individual limitations and accommodation needs. Employers are encouraged to contact JAN to discuss specific situations in more detail.
For information on assistive technology and other accommodation ideas, visit JAN's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) at http:/askjan.org/soar.
Options to Consider
Individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and learning impairments may have difficulty accessing computers. Traditionally, a computer user accesses a computer with a standard point and click mouse and a QWERTY keyboard (named for the top left-hand side of the rows). The computer takes the information that is inputted and processes it. Individuals with physical, sensory, or developmental limitations may not be able to use these standard input devices effectively and may benefit from using speech recognition software. Standard computer input devices are keyboards made for typists who use two hands and ten fingers; speech recognition software is made for computer users with a variety of limitations, including individuals with no hand or finger movement.
Background
Speech recognition technology has several components: noise-canceling input, a speech recognition engine, vocabularies, application interfaces, and rudimentary natural-language processing. In contrast, voice recognition refers to voice-print security systems, commonly called voice ID. This document addresses speech recognition options. There are two classes of speech recognition technology: speaker-dependent, where the user has to train the system to recognize the user's voice, and speaker independent. There are two categories of speech recognition: keyboard and keypad. Keyboard applications allow users to speak directly to their computers, complementing or replacing the keyboard. Keypad applications use speech to replace the telephone keypad as input for accessing voice mail and navigating a telephone system's menus. They also allow the telephone to act as a remote computer peripheral. Until 1997, discrete speech recognition engines that required users to pause between each word limited large vocabulary systems. In 1997, large vocabulary products with continuous speech recognition engines were released and users can now speak more "naturally." This has increased the productivity of workers who use speech recognition systems. This document is a non-inclusive list of speech recognition systems. If you would like additional information on devices such as ergonomic, miniature, expanded, and one-handed keyboards; touchpads; trackballs; joysticks; switches; handwritten entry; scanners; alternative mice; augmentative communication devices; or alternative input devices and software, contact the Job Accommodation Network.
Windows-Compatible Speech Recognition Software
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software enables users to fill out forms, create and edit documents, reports, spreadsheets, and e-mail-all by voice. Dragon Naturally Speaking is integrated with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Internet Explorer, American Online and Corel WordPerfect and works with virtually all Windows-based applications. Legal, medical, and public safety packages as well as home and office software are available. Users can dictate directly into a PC or into a handheld device. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is now commercially available at retail and office stores.
For a list of vendors, visit: http://askjan.org/cgi-win/OrgQuery.exe?Alt62
- IBM's ViaVoice is a voice recognition product that includes essential dictation and command and control features. Users can dictate, edit, correct, and format text in the IBM ViaVoice speech-enabled word processor, SpeakPad and supported applications within Microsoft Office. Text dictated into SpeakPad can be exported to other text-based Windows applications through use of a single voice command, or through the Windows Copy and Paste features. ViaVoice also offers a medical and legal vocabulary and four basic versions: Pro USB, Advanced, Standard, and Personal Editions.
IBM (International Business Machines)
1 New Orchard Road
Armonk, NY 10504-1722
(800) 426-4968
(800) 426-3383 (TTY)
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/voice/viavoice
Macintosh-Compatible Speech Recognition Software
- Apple's Speech Recognition lets your Macintosh understand what you say, giving you a new dimension for interacting with and controlling your computer by voice. Over one hundred speakable commands are already created for the user. Apple's Speech Recognition is speaker-independent.
Apple Computer
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
(800) 692-7753
(408) 996-1010
http://www.apple.com/accessibility
- IBM's ViaVoice is a voice recognition product that includes essential dictation and command and control features. Users can dictate, edit, correct, and format text in the IBM ViaVoice speech-enabled word processor, SpeakPad and supported applications within Microsoft Office. Text dictated into SpeakPad can be exported to other text-based Windows applications through use of a single voice command, or through the Windows Copy and Paste features. ViaVoice also offers a medical and legal vocabulary and four basic versions: Pro USB, Advanced, Standard, and Personal Editions.
IBM (International Business Machines)
1133 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604
(800) 426-4968
(800) 426-3383 (TDD)
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/voice/viavoice
- MacSpeech's iListen allows dictation, editing, formatting, and simple speech navigation with any application. IListenTM frees the user from the keyboard and mouse. The user is able to dictate text, edit and format it with just the power of their voice.
MacSpeech's ListenDo! is a PlainTalk-based product that enhances the user's ability to control their Macintosh computer using their voice. With ListenDo!, users can do everything PlainTalk allows them to do, plus pull down menus, click and double-click the mouse, and type up to 32,000 characters of text with one spoken command.
MacSpeech, Inc.
50A Northwestern Drive Suite 109
Salem, NH 03079
(888) 415-7779
(603) 326-4245
(760) 444-2737 (fax)
sales@macspeech.com
http://www.macspeech.com
- A TAP Device can connect a PC equipped with Dragon Systems NaturallySpeaking to a Mac by a piece of electronics which connects a Sun, SGI, Mac, or PC Host to a Synapse TAP Speech Accessing Workstation (http://www.synapseadaptive.com/synapse/tap1host.htm). Synapse Adaptive makes TAP switches on demand (http://www.synapseadaptive.com/synapse/tapdesc.htm).
Synapse Adaptive
1 Stop Speech Recognition & Adaptive Technology
14 Lynn Court
San Rafael, CA 94901
(800) 317-9611
(415) 455-9700
(415) 455-9801 (fax)
info@synapseadaptive.com
http://www.synapseadaptive.com
Speech Recognition/Telephone Integration
- VXI Corporation's Computer/Voice Headsets connect users to the telephone and computer simultaneously.
VXI Corporation
One Front Street PO Box 490
Rollinsford, NH 03869
(800) 742-8588
(603) 742-2888
(603) 742-5065 (fax)
Cust_serv@vixcorp.com
http://www.vxicorp.com
- The Andrea Electronics Personal Computer and Telephone Interface (PCTI and PCTI-II) integrates speech computing and traditional telephony applications by connecting headset users to the telephone and the computer simultaneously.
Andrea Electronics Corporation
65 Orville Drive Suite One
Bohemia, NY 11716
(800) 707-5779
support@andreaelectronics.com
http://www.andreaelectronics.com
Speech Recognition for the Windows PC and Other OS
- Synapse TAP Workstations (http://www.synapseadaptive.com/synapse/tapdesc.htm) give speech recognition to Sun, Silicon Graphics (SGI), HP UNIX, PC operating systems, Macintosh, or mainframe environments. The Synapse TAP Workstation offers an integrated cross-platform solution with a Synapse TAP Device. This device converts keystroke and mouse events originating in the speech-accessing computer and converts them into understandable events before presenting them to the host computer.
Additional TAP devices are required for each host computer and the addition of a Synapse TAP Switch (http://www.synapseadaptive.com/synapse/tap1host.htm) is necessary to attach a Sun, SGI, Mac, or PC Host.
Synapse Adaptive
3095 Kerner Blvd., Suite S
San Rafael, CA 94901
(800) 317-9611
(415) 455-9700
(415) 455-9801 (fax)
info@synapseadaptive.com
http://www.synapseadaptive.com
- Voice Automated offers a way for physicians to create documents that interface directly with their medical records. Physicians are able to produce chart notes, medical correspondence, and other business documents.
Voice Automated
7975 Bay Drive
Suite 101
Huntington Beach,
(800) 597-6600
(714) 969-7632
hjm@voiceautomated.com
http://www.voiceautomated.com
- MediDox offers voice-activated physician-support systems that combine a database with a system to give hands-free dictation of patient records, progress notes, referral letters, prescriptions, and reports.
MediDox Corporation
(800) 404-8642
info@medidox.com
http://www.medidox.com
Speech Recognition for Unique Environments
- Integrated Wave Technologies, Inc. offers the first Totally Voice Controlled Cell Phone System. The cellphone replaces hands-on-use of the cellular phone.
Integrated Wave Technologies, Inc.
(510) 490-9160
4042 Clipper Court
Fremont, CA 94538-6540
http://www.i-w-t.com
- Philips designs and develops cutting-edge speech recognition software for dictation, consumer electronics, and automotive devices.
Philips Speech Processing
http://www.speech.be.philips.com
Updated 09/10/08
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