Affiliations: Polisher Research Institute, Madlyn & Leonard
Abramson Center for Jewish Life (formerly Philadelphia Geriatric Center), 1425
Horsham Road, North Wales, PA 19454, USA | Temple University, College of Allied Health
Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy, 3307 North Broad Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to gather data concerning the
psychosocial (quality of life) impact of speech recognition software on
individuals with physical disabilities and to identify how satisfied these
individuals were with this software as a computer access method. Two
standardized questionnaires, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale
(PIADS) and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive
Technology (QUEST) were administered to ten participants with physical
disabilities who received speech recognition software following an assistive
technology evaluation. The results of this study indicated that 90% of the
participants were quite satisfied with speech recognition software as an
assistive device and that the software had a somewhat positive psychosocial
impact on their lives. Four themes emerged concerning what the participants
liked most about the software: 1) the software provided a method of access when
they were not previously accessing a computer, 2) the software increased
independence, 3) the software made computer use more efficient, and 4) the
software provided a choice or flexibility in computer access. Although this
study demonstrated that these speech recognition software users are generally
satisfied with the software and it has had a positive impact on their life, it
also suggests that there is a need to examine the role of training on
satisfaction and successful use of the software.
