Medicare or any insurance is unlikely to pay for this.

Dragon as described is potentially pretty cheap.  Could go for the standard version which will allow for a lot of functionality for $99.  This is assuming that the client can learn it.  i use it fairly commonly and have at least one guy with ALS that has used it long term.

Any new basic computer can handle it, make sure of at least 2 GB of RAM.  But easy to get , and not all that expensive.  Here in Chicago, you can get a desktop that will handle it for around $500.

For that matter, if you get a computer with Vista, it has a respectable speech rec engine with handsfree options.  It is not yet in Dragons league, but can't argue with free.

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Margaret Cotts
Sent: Tue 7/1/2008 2:02 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Assistive Technology] dragon naturally speaking

Hi Deborah-

There are codes for providing AT services. However, there aren't any codes
that pay for actual computer access equipment (I'm guessing because computer
access is not seen as a medical necessity?)

The software for voice input can be relatively inexpensive. The issue,
though, is that it requires a fairly powerful computer to run on, with a LOT
of RAM memory, and a really fast processor speed.

I think it's important for people to know that there are a lot of
alternatives to voice input. (It takes a really special personality to
persevere, and correct all the mistakes it makes.)  I think it can help a
person to do a formal (or informal) computer access evaluation, and try out
some different options.  (I think people tend to have an unrealistic, Star
Trek idea of what speech recognition can do.)

If it does seem like voice input is a viable option- Does this person get
services through the Department of Rehab? If so, they could provide  the
evaluation, and potentially set them up with a system.

If it doesn't seem feasible for them to get all the equipment needed for
voice input, I'd be happy to talk with you off the list about different
computer access options.

Take care,

Margaret Cotts

From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Deborah Bell
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 11:48 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Assistive Technology] dragon naturally speaking

I am wondering if anyone has been able to use medicare/medical funding for
voice recognition software like the above? I am serving an individual who
would like to access the computer via this method but hasn't many funds. I
did search online and see that the price can be as low as $150. Any ideas?

Deborah Bell, MA/CCC

Santa Cruz, CA

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