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Keywords
Adaptability, Technology, Disabled people, Voice recognition
Abstract
In this paper, results are presented from a field study of individuals with disabilities who used voice recognition technology (VRT). Twenty-three individuals who were successful in the use of VRT and 17 who were unsuccessful were interviewed by the researcher. Qualitative results indicated that task-technology fit, training, the environment, and the disability limitations were the differentiating items. The ability to use the VRT for a trial period may be the major factor resulting in successful adoption of the technology.
Introduction
Organizations are faced with the problem of providing suitable support when they employ a person with a disability or when a current employee becomes disabled. An individual with a disability is defined as "a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment" (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - the US Department of Justice, 1991, p. 1). In many cases, computer technology is being adapted for use by individuals with disabilities in order to provide a means to be employable. However, virtually no information exists explaining why the same adaptive technology will be successful for one person and unsuccessful for another.
For the purposes of this study, adaptive technology is any computer software or hardware tool that assists individuals with disabilities to be more effective in performing job related or daily activities (Brown, 1992). For example, a person with blindness may use a screen reader in order to hear rather than see what is displayed on the computer monitor or may use a printer that prints in Braille.
Voice recognition technology (VRT) was the type of adaptive technology studied in this research. The purpose of VRT is to allow the input of data without the use of a keyboard, thus enabling the individual to speak into the microphone instead of typing in commands. Voice recognition technology was developed for use by fighter pilots and has been targeted for hands-busy applications. Few companies have marketed their product directly to the disabled consumer; however, voice recognition technology is being used as an adaptive technology by individuals with disabilities. For example, VRT may be used...