Uhh, that's a bit uninformed; there is a wide array of adaptive technology for the disabled -- I know two college-bound students with profound CP, and they both keep up with their courses using adaptive keyboards, one of them by using head movements alone.

Finding a solution for your friend should be easy with the options available today, albeit a bit expensive.

Here is a place to start: http://www.makoa.org/computers.htm

Googling for "Adaptive Keyboard for Disabled" will lead you to dozens of active resources . . .

not uninformed, I said the most advanced UI's haven been designed for people to play games (people design for what they love, companies design for what brings in profit).
here

It's old now & I'm sure a lot of that tech is used now a days for multiple things.

the guy who came up with the infamous $14 steady cam may have some things of use too:
here

He's done work with wii remotes & tracking, nearly identical to what that adaptive kb does, but for a fraction of the cost (wii remote, bluetooth adapter and two monitors basically). I could swear windows comes with the option to display a big KB on screen like PDA's & the Wii. Maybe it's linux that does it, but I've seen it on a PC before.

But, imho, hiring a transcriber would be the easiest way, and by far the fastest. At worst he records what he wants typed, then sends the file to someone to type it. Price varies and is normally based on line/character count (80char per line I think my wife said). If it was $0.09/line & it was 10 standard pages of text (12pt font), that would be $44.10.

Strangely, the most advanced ui's for disabled people are done by gamers & nothing will help him type. Frag, yeah, but not type.
That's not uninformed?

I'm sure the OP will check into your advice if he wants to include gaming in his client's computer activities. You certainly know a lot more about that than I do.

That being said, I saw nothing in your links that would remotely suggest technological superiority over Lucy keyboards or other adaptive systems. Oh, did I forget to mention the students I spoke of are avid gamers, too?

Having scribed for academic papers and standardized exams a few times over the years, I can say with high confidence that being able to achieve proficiency with adaptive technology is by far the superior and most effective route -- it is the difference between simple dictation (assuming the client is capable of speech), and having full independence and control over one's computer, applications, and products, and does so without depending on the scheduling, availability, and compensation of a second human to serve as an intermediary.

Gentlemen:

I've gotten good points from both of your postings.

I don't know if Paul (my client) has ever considered voice recordings for later transcription. His "academic" workflow may make that attractive, and, given his age, he may have dictated material in the past. I know he has published before.

On the other side of his needs, adaptive technology could help him with viewing the old woodcuts I copied for him. He likes to zoom in to analize the details of the illustrations. He does not like to be dependent on someone else to use the image viewing software or send an email.

He came across a reference to the GO computer, which could be of assistance to him, although I think he would be better served by spending the $$ on adaptive technology for the PC he has now.

BTW, when I refer to him as a client, I think I'm working for about minimum wage. He's a little younger than my father, so I guess there's a part there that leads to a little pro bono work. Watching his determination to publish one last thing in his life really helps me put my own little complaints in perspective.

RalphM

Well stated.

The other student I mentioned uses a "big button" keyboard with recessed keys that prevent accidental keystrokes. he is able to use a large standard mouse. Depending on your client's gross motor skills, this may assist with his vision considerations, too.

Relatively inexpensive, too, compared to other solutions.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking V.10 is VERY good. Up to 160 words per minute, highly accurate, can handle also many voice problems, little training of either the software or the operator is needed.

Not bad for $48.48+$3.20 shipping.

I used it after an accident last year when I couldn't use a keyboard, worked very well.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/FX102530961033.aspx

Thanks to all for the responses - good leads in all of them.

RalphM

That Microsoft link was great!

Just note that Vista's voice recognition is not from the same planet as Dragon NaturallySpeaking (and I don't think it's meant to be),

Coursedesign:

What did you use for a mic?

RalphM