That s a major breakthrough. The progress in speech recognition and synthesis illustrates something another important point about adaptive technologies the real promise of computers as adaptive technology is not just that they can enable people with disabilities, but that so much of the functionality needed to do so is becoming readily and inexpensively available. The first speech synthesizers, for example, used special sound chips and other hardware and they were not cheap. Today, the hardware for effective speech synthesis is standard on most desktop systems. Even the Sound Blaster-compatible sound card is part of many business systems and commonly and inexpensively available at any computer store.
Software also makes it easier for people with limited mobility to use computers.
For example, a program called Sticky Keys eliminates the need to press several keys at a time to give a command. Such programs and alternative input devices are especially important to people with repetitive stress injuries, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, because these users have trouble using a keyboard and mouse. Other programs magnify the screen, print documents in Braille, and let users control their computers with head movements or by using a blow tube. The number of companies offering adaptive hardware and software has increased rapidly as computer power has jumped. The Internet has played a role as well because it makes it easier for adaptive technology companies to find their potential customers and for people with disabilities to find adaptive products that work for them.