[plug] [Slightly-OT] Computer for Paralysed

[Jonathan Young]

I guess some ideas to look at would be voice control, tablet PCs / 
laptops, touch-screens (though he would need to use his mouth to hold a 
stylus etc.)  Windows or Linux, all these things should still be 
possible - it depends what he is used to and if he is prepared to learn 
a new OS at the same time as learning a new way of inputting data.  
Working with graphics tablets, OCR and joystick-type controls might also 
be on the cards in coming up with a combination solution.

I have not had an personal experience with these devices, but there 
would have to be more online if you search for some of these terms / 
devices.

Sorry I can't be of any more help, at the moment, anyway.


Timothy White wrote:

>My neighbour was paralysed from the next down earlier this year in a
>bicycle accident. This obviously means he can't use a computer in the
>same fashion as he previously could.
>He would like to be able to use a computer again as he was just
>starting back at TAFE as a lecturer and even though he's not able to
>continue doing that as he was, he would still like to be able to get
>lecture notes 'typed' up, use emails. Basically he wants to be self
>reliant in using a computer again.
>
>I understand that he was a Windows user, but my experience with
>Windows when you can't user your hands, hasn't been fun. So basically
>I'm looking advice on getting him a computer, that he can operate with
>his mouth. What hardware and software should we be looking at?
>So disabled associations haven't been much help to us. And money is a
>limiting factor (i.e. what ever money will be coming from things like
>Garage sales we are holding....) hence I'm hoping that there will some
>magic Linux based software that runs on a p200 Laptop... ;)
>
>Hope you guys can help with finding something right for this guy.
>
>Thanks
>
>Tim
>_______________________________________________
>PLUG discussion list: plug at plug.org.au
>http://www.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug
>Committee e-mail: committee at plug.linux.org.au
>
>  
>


-- 
Jonathan Young
Director of PC-PHIX
jonathan at pcphix.com

Phone: 0410 455 674
Web: http://www.pcphix.com/

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