If you use an electric wheelchair to get around, you may want to consider a few high-tech upgrades to make your life easier. This article will cover how to install an environmental voice control system, using an accessible phone system with voice control, and how to mount a laptop computer to your power chair for use anywhere.
An environmental voice control system works like a universal remote, except they accept voice commands. This functionality is very convenient for anybody in a wheelchair, and especially important if you happen to be quadriplegic. Some of these devices are very expensive and some are relatively affordable. The VoiceIR Infrared Environmental Voice Control System is easy to use, highly versatile, and only 9. It works with any device that uses an infrared remote, such as your television, your DVD player, your stereo, etc. The device itself is pretty small - only slightly larger than a mouse of a computer. The trick is to mount this device onto your wheelchair where it can receive and carry out your voice commands. I would recommend having a pivoting shelf attached to one of your armrests. Make sure you can raise the shelf up so that you can get out of the wheelchair, but otherwise the device is essentially resting on a shelf above your lap.
Some environmental control systems come with optional hardware that allows the device to control your phone as well, but you could probably save money by getting an ordinary cell phone that has modern accessibility features. For a simple, elegant solution that allows you to use your phone as a voice-recognition tool that also gives you better computer access, try the Windows Mobile Advanced Voice Control Media Player Package. This allows you to use your phone entirely with voice commands, but it also allows your phone to act as an input device on your computer. Using a phone with the advanced media player installed, you can use your voice to listen to music, watch movies, or browse the internet on your laptop computer, which brings us to our final recommended upgrade.
Your laptop computer can be mounted to your wheelchair for greater accessibility and convenience. Again, the best way to accomplish this is to mount a pivoting shelf onto your wheelchair. You may also want to consider the battery life of the laptop and if it can be charged by the wheelchair's battery. Even if you have very limited mobility in your hands, a computer on your power wheelchair will go a long way toward keeping you productive or keeping you entertained. Using one of the options outlined above to operate the computer using your voice alone, you will be able to use the computer effortlessly. In fact, you may not even need any additional hardware to make your computer completely voice-operated. Investigate the voice command software options currently available, such as Dragonsoft's Naturally Speaking. You may need some assistance with the initial setup, but having your voice-commanded computer with you most of the time will make it worthwhile.
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