Division of Standards and Learning
Office of Exceptional Children
Assistive Technology Services
Valeska Gioia, Ed.S.
Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP
Mark Daniels, MS Ed.
SC Department of Education
Assistive Technology Specialists

• Speech Recognition is the process of translating spoken words into text words on the computer.
• Through a speech recognition program/application, the computer is able to process words you say and turn them into text on the screen just as if you had typed them on the keyboard.

Dictation has the potential to improve the writing performance of students with learning disabilities by removing the barriers created by the difficulties with mechanics.

To support quality of writing
 Removes the motor demands of writing
 Written Productivity Profile = difficulty with both writing & keyboarding
 More restrictive
 Requires quiet environment, consistency is more important than articulation
 Typically not used for note taking, but for homework and independent written work

To support access
 For students who are not able to physically access the keyboard and mouse
 Requires quiet environment, consistency is more important than articulation
 Most likely require a program that provides full control of the computer (i.e. Dragon Naturally
Speaking)

Visual Motor
Spelling
Ergonomics
Hands-free use
Endurance
Concentration and attention
Reading and speech
Pronunciation and articulation http://www.customtyping.com

• Proficiency in the use of speech recognition requires good levels of concentration, memory and other cognitive skills. In order for a student to use speech recognition independently, good cognitive skills are essential for memorizing commands as well as making effective use of correction strategies. http://www.customtyping.com

Consistency of speech and pronunciation is one of the most important prerequisites for success in using speech recognition. As long as any user is able to say words and phrases in the same or similar manner each time, speech recognition programs can learn to recognize individual patterns of speech. way each time.
The user's voice quality, such as volume and pitch, and breath control should also be taken into account.
The bottom line in terms of speech, is that it should be intelligible and consistent, but it need not be perfect in terms of articulation, pronunciation and quality.
http://www.customtyping.com

Students who read at a third-grade level or higher, and who achieve scores of 1 on most of the items on the evaluation form, have extremely high potential for using speech recognition independently. In addition those students who are able to accurately isolate word recognition errors and make corrections/edit their work will do well with speech-recognition. http://www.customtyping.com

Student Evaluation Form -
Free http://www.customtyping.com/tutorials/sr/reproducible_for ms/evaluation_form_sample.htm

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services
This document contains information from various sources on handwriting and/or keyboarding rates
.
http://natri.uky.edu/assoc_projects/qiat/documents/r esourcebank/hwriting_kybding_rate_info.pdf

Speech Recognition: MS Office 2003
Open MS Word → Tools → Speech
• This enables the language bar for both speech-to-text and text-to-speech options
• You will be guided through training needed to create a user voice profile (15 minutes)
• You will need a microphone
• Can dictate directly into MS Office, not other applications

Speech Recognition –
Vista and Windows 7
Built into the Operating System
Open Speech Recognition by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Ease of Access, and then clicking Speech
Recognition.
Click Set up microphone, follow the instructions in the wizard.
Dictate into almost any application (i.e. word processing, internet).

Denise DeCoste’s Written
Productivity Profile http://www.donjohnston.com/products/teacher_resourc es/assistive_tech_assess/ata_worksheets.pdf

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsvista/speech.aspx

http://nuance.com/dragon/index.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICD-SX712D-Recorder-Naturally-
Speaking/dp/B004M8SU0I/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325108387
&sr=1-2

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-remote-microphone/id436624808?mt=8

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/pervasive/viavoice.html

http://www.goqsoftware.com/

Tazti Speech Recognition for
Windows XP and Windows 7
Tazti (pronounced 'tasty') features include jot-anote dictation, advanced voice search internet search sites, playing your favorite PC games, controlling iTunes, bookmark control, & web navigation. Create and use your own speech commands. http://download.cnet.com/Tazti-Speech-Recognition-
Software-for-Windows-XP/3000-7239_4-10702965.html

• My Voice Controller allows you to emulate mouse and keyboard inputs by using your voice.
• Common uses for this software are gaming and assistance for the disabled/injured.
• This software is free and is compatible with
XP and Vista. http://www.5hyphen.com/mvc/index.htm

e-Speaking Voice and
Speech Recognition
• Free Download of software
• Over 100 commands built-in
• Ability to add more commands
• Runs in Windows2000 and
Windows XP
• Utilizes latest technologies from
Microsoft
• Seamlessly integrate with Office
• Voice commands of Mouse events http://www.e-speaking.com/

http://metroplexvoice.com/

• Dragon Naturally
Speaking
• Speak Q
• Microsoft
Accessibility
• Dictate (MAC
Product)

http://www.pacer.org/stc/pubs/VoiceRecComparison_CTG_checks2009.pdf

http://www.pacer.org/stc/pubs/VoiceRecComparison_CTG_checks2009.pdf

• Reading favorite books
(consider various reading levels of students)
• Lyrics.com (clean versions)
• Poetry books
• Poetry.com

http://sccatn.wikispaces.com/

• An extremely important point when considering the potential use of speech recognition by students with learning and physical challenges, is that speech recognition is not a plug-and-play technology, but a complex technological solution requiring extensive training, patience, perseverance and support.

• Speech recognition will not work for all students, and it is important to go through an initial evaluation in order to determine if the student has the potential to cope.
A positive note about the future of speech recognition, is that since it is becoming more accurate and the technology is improving, we will find that more and more students are able to use this program in the future.

Excellent Resource for Speech
Recognition Programs http://www.customtyping.com/tutorials/sr/speech_recognition.htm

Training videos for Dragon Naturally Speaking: http://www.nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragonfor-pc/existing-customers/dragon-version-11-tools-andtips/index.htm
Features and possibilities of speech recognition: http://nuance.com/for-business/by-product/dragon/productresources/features-and-demos/index.htm
Worksheets: http://www.customtyping.com/tutorials/sr/speech_recognitio n.htm

• Koester, H.H. (2006). Factors that Influence the Performance of
Experienced Speech Recognition Users. Assistive Technology,
18(1): 56-76.
• Koester, H.H. (2004). Usage, Performance, and Satisfaction
Outcomes for Experienced Users of Speech Recognition. Journal of
Rehabilitation Research and Development, 41(5): 739-754.
• Koester, H.H. (2003). Abandonment of Speech Recognition
Systems. by New Users. Proceedings of RESNA 2003 Annual
Conference, Atlanta, GA. Arlington, VA: RESNA Press.
• Koester, H.H. (2002). User Performance with Speech Recognition
Systems: A Literature Review. Assistive Technology, 13(2):116-30.

The South Carolina Assistive Technology
Program (SCATP) is located in Columbia,
SC: provides state-wide resources; demonstration lab for public; free trial loan of AT devices (pay only return shipping), and annual AT Expo.
www.sc.edu/scatp

Upcoming Vendor Links
FAQ
Best Practice in AT

Mission
• The mission of Assistive Technology Services (ATS) is to provide assistive technology support, training, consultation, equipment, and technical assistance to educators who teach students at risk of academic failure and students with disabilities.

Professional Development
• Presentations, workshops, and trainings on assistive technology for districts and regions, both in person and online;
• Training on conducting assistive technology evaluations and assessments for local staff.
Funding Assistance
• Identification of funding sources
• Research into grant opportunities
• Formation of funding networks among AT professionals

Technical Assistance
• Formation and support of AT teams within schools and districts
• Collaborative sessions with instructional technology specialists
• Recommendations on interventions for assisting students at risk of academic failure and students with disabilities
ENEWS – AT Connect
• News on free software, scheduled trainings, and upcoming conferences

Coastal Region
Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP
Charleston, SC
843-628-4542 sspringer@ed.sc.gov
Midlands Region
Valeska Gioia, Ed.S
Columbia, SC
803-316-3190 vgioia@ed.sc.gov
Upstate Region
Mark Daniels, MS, Ed.
Greenville, SC
864-355-3708 mdaniels@ed.sc.gov