How much do you type anymore?

[Patton57]

I'm a C7 and thinking about getting my employer to get me voice recognition software. Usually I type 3-4 pages of emails a day but lately it's been nearing 10-20 and it's just wearing me out.

I can actually type 20 or so words per minute for about 15 minutes before I have to rest (for 15-30 minutes). Well that isn't cutting it anymore. As a C7, I'm extremely cautious about using assistive tools. I don't mean to seem like a snob but I worked so hard to not need aids and now I find it hard to be smarter about using them.

For the last 3 months, I've been using the voice recognition feature to generate email on my phone and it occured to me what an idiot I was being by not doing it for work.

I know there are a couple of themes weaved throughout my narrative here but I'd be interested in hearing folks thoughts about any of them (creative uses of voice recognition software, using assistive technologies when you have too much pride as well as any resistance you might have received from others because you admitted that you needed it).

[DeadEye]

B, I'm C5-6 and in my job, and with my volunteer work, I'm on the computer typing all day. I've never really thought about my typing speed but I'm sure I two-finger type 6-10 full pages daily, possibly more. I've never thought about VR since I'm also on the phone during a large part of my job. I would like to explore that option for my phone while I'm on the road.

And I'll gladly trade my 5-6 for your 7

[Scott C4/5]

I'm a c4/5 and I do a lot of creative writing and posting on here and facebook. I use a mouthstick for 98% of my typing even though I have Dragon VR on my computer. I can type somewhere around the 25-30 wpm mark on a good day.

[Patton57]

Originally Posted by DeadEye

B, I'm C5-6 and in my job, and with my volunteer work, I'm on the computer typing all day. I've never really thought about my typing speed but I'm sure I two-finger type 6-10 full pages daily, possibly more. I've never thought about VR since I'm also on the phone during a large part of my job. I would like to explore that option for my phone while I'm on the road.

And I'll gladly trade my 5-6 for your 7

I hear ya! I'd gladly trade up to a T1.

That's all a lot of typing using the two finger technique. I'm impressed and you've made me feel like a bit of a wuss.

I used to think that voice recognition technology was for those who needed it (as horrible as that sounds) but I've been coming around to just how stupid that kind of thinking is and just how much I probably need to use it. Productivity is so important knowadays and you really have to do what you can to get things done.

[Patton57]

Originally Posted by Scott C4/5

I'm a c4/5 and I do a lot of creative writing and posting on here and facebook. I use a mouthstick for 98% of my typing even though I have Dragon VR on my computer. I can type somewhere around the 25-30 wpm mark on a good day.

Alright, the goal of this thread wasn't to make me look like a complete wuss. Come on guys help me out here!

You hunters are killing me here.

[Scott C4/5]

Originally Posted by Patton57

Alright, the goal of this thread wasn't to make me look like a complete wuss. Come on guys help me out here!

You hunters are killing me here.

Sorry, just commenting. If you're tiring out, then you should ask your employer for the software. I see more commercials for Dragon all the time and they almost always show AB persons using it. If they can be lazy, the we can be adaptive. I just don't use my software due to the fact that I don't keep my microphone plugged in and sometimes it doesn't work on facebook for some reason.

And btw, I'm wanting to trade up (or down) to a T4 or T5. lol

[Domosoyo]

My daughter dropped using Dragon about a year ago. She is a little higher than you and she types with two knuckles on her keyboard but for longer projects she uses her iPhone or iPad and transfers the text. Don't know if that is an option but co-workers might think you are texting alll the time ha! She stopped using Dragon because she couldn't listen to her tunes while she was doing her homework!

[Random]

I have to admit I'm a bit puzzled by the premise of this thread. Dragon is a productivity aid (in theory, although I think it would torment me less just to finger paint in blood). Why would using it if you don't "need it" cause a hit on your pride? If it helps you to work faster and be more productive, I would call using it just a smart, impressive move. Is there some inherent valor in typing? Is there some valor in turning off your icemaker and making ice cubes in trays, just because you can?

I just would ask for it at work, explain that it helps you work faster. If they have some problems shelling out the $99... well, a conclusion to that sentence eludes me. Use of Dragon is unquestionably a reasonable ADA accommodation, but certainly you shouldn't need to have to go there at all. If you fear that asking for it somehow sets you apart in some "needy" way, well a I'll marshall dismissive arguments against that if you need me to.

I just would be proud that you've engineered innovative ways to increase your productivity, and expect your employer to appreciate it.

[november]

I type pretty fast with one hand. My injury was c6c7 incomplete, but function at different levels with each hand. My right hand functions around c8 I think. I have finger function, but the last 4 don't fully extend and also can only spread them so much so makes typing difficult with that hand. My left hand recovered to the t-zone. So if you didn't know to look at my bad hand you would think I'm a para, which in some ways I am.

I bought Dragon a year ago and didn't use it for an entire year because I didn't have system requirements to do so. I only use it for writing papers or posting on school forums if the word count requirement is large. I then go back and do corrections by hand. You can easily turn Dragon on/off by clicking a little button on the top of your screen. This could make it so you just use it for when you're emailing or as needed.

It really shouldn't hurt your pride. I can type super fast one handed, but noticed I was straining for neck and back leaning over a desk doing homework all day. Lack of balance sucks. The biggest pro though is how fast I get my papers or postings done! I easily cut my time in half or more.

This was typed by hand. I probably use Dragon once a day though. Was a good $50 investment.

Btw I know a lot of people w/o a dis that use VR.

[Millard]

Originally Posted by Patton57

I hear ya! I'd gladly trade up to a T1.

That's all a lot of typing using the two finger technique. I'm impressed and you've made me feel like a bit of a wuss.

I used to think that voice recognition technology was for those who needed it (as horrible as that sounds) but I've been coming around to just how stupid that kind of thinking is and just how much I probably need to use it. Productivity is so important knowadays and you really have to do what you can to get things done.

I used to feel the same way about using a chair when I could walk okay with crutches. I wish I had gone to a powerchair 30 years ago! A wuss no more with my new line of thinking!

Good luck.