Living with a disability is often trying and frustrating, but in no way is it a life sentence of uselessness. Especially now that assistive technology has made it way into our lives.

For me, that technology came in the form of a voice activated computer and an environmental control unit (ECU). The computer, a laptop equipped with DragonDictate and Vocal-eyes, allows me to pursue a career in free-lance journalism. Using DragonDictate, a software package that translates voice commands into keystrokes, I can now do by mouth what arthritis has taken from my arms, hands, and fingers. For instance, if I wanted to type the word dear, I would simply say "dear" instead of hitting the keys "d e a r".

Since I am also blind, I have Vocal-eyes, a voice playback software program, that lets me hear what has been keyed in. For example, when I type in dear, Vocal-eyes says and spells the word dear.

Because my career path is journalism, I use WordPerfect, a word processing program. Working with these three programs, I have the ability to write articles like this one independently. In addition to writing, I can run spellcheck, save, and print documents by voice.

If I did not have my voice activated computer, I would be dependent on someone to do my writing for me and the chances of obtaining work would be drastically reduced.

However, the computer is not the only piece of technology that helps me be less dependent on others. My ECU, a MasterVoice product, provides me the ability to access various devices and appliances by voice. My ECU works on the same principle as the computer except the ECU has to be programmed for specific tasks. Now, when I want to listen to the radio, I just say radio or boombox, depending on what room I'm in, and the ECU turns it on. The television is another appliance that I can control with my ECU. Although unlike the radio, I can adjust the volume and change channels on the television. But, the best features the ECU offers are the door bell intercom and electric door locks. With these components, I have the security to choose who enters my house.

Eventually, the computer and printer will be hooked to the ECU, giving me greater independence.

By no means has assistive technology made me totally self-sufficient. What it has done, however, is to help me regain some independence that arthritis has stolen, and to let me pursue my goals of becoming a tax supporter rather than a tax dependent.

This article was written by John Jefferson, a consumer for Division for the Visually Impaired (DVI), who lives in Lincoln, Delaware. Upon graduating from Delaware Technical & Community College with a degree in Communications Technology with print journalism, John wrote "article upon article". He currently works as a peer counselor in Dover and performs some free-lance writing for local newsletters, newspapers, and magazines in Southern Delaware. His computer, printer, Vocal-Eyes, and DragonDictate were all purchased through DVI in Milford. His environmental control unit (ECU) was purchased through the Independent Living Grant administered by Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. John submitted this article on behalf of the consumers in Kent and Sussex Counties at the request of the ATRC in Kent and Sussex Counties.