Writing by Speaking

As a quadriplegic, I do all of my computer work by voice. That's not odd these days, but it is pretty unusual for people with a Mac computer. Why is that? Well, for the PCs there is a program called Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and the Mac version is called Dragon Dictate for Mac. Sounds like it shouldn't be any different, but there is a vastly dramatic difference! The version for PCs is mature and well developed with many advanced features. I used it for 15 years, but when I switched to an iMac I was rudely awakened by the fact that Apple has done relatively little to improve their speech recognition and dictation tools since they were introduced years ago. Although they have made dramatic improvements in tools for people who are deaf and blind or even people who use switches, their hardware remains relatively inaccessible for people with disabilities like me who need to use a computer hands-free. So, this edition of the blog is to get as many of you as possible to spread the word that Apple needs to do something in engineering to rectify this problem. The Dragon version for Mac by Nuance has been discontinued and is no longer sold or supported. Since the company that owns it (Nuance) decided they didn't want to service it anymore, it is sitting there without any support or updates to keep it compatible with MacOS updates. It is dying. That is hurting me and thousands of other people with a Mac who need to use voice to operate their computers. So, this edition of the blog is to get as many of you as possible to spread the word that Apple needs to do something in engineering to rectify this problem. There is a version for Mac, but the company that owns it decided they didn't want to service it anymore, so it is basically sitting there without any support or further enhancements. It is dying. That is hurting me and thousands of other people with a Mac who need to use voice to operate their computers. Here is your homework: I am pleading for anyone and everyone to fill out a form on the website: http://tinyurl.com/MacOS-HandsFree Please leave comments and suggestions under in the MacOS to request Apple to develop a product for total voice control that will allow people to use their Mac computers hands-free. Here is a sample of what Valerie wrote: "I would like for everyone with disabilities to have easy access on Mac computers. Current Apple dictation does not enable people with disabilities to run their computers hands-free with the ability to dictate and correct into any software/programs as well as move a mouse/cursor by voice. There was a product to do this made by Nuance, that was called Dragon for Mac, but Nuance is no longer supporting it. That leaves thousands Mac users out in the cold. I am pleading for people in a position to make a change to advance this request for Apple to develop a product for total voice control making it possible to use a Mac hands-free. Thank you for your time and consideration!" Thank you very much, everyone; please spread this everywhere you can. By the way, my book WILL be coming out sometime. I have no idea when that will be, but as soon as it is completely edited by a couple of great people, then it will go to the publisher. I will let you know when the release date is set!