This dissertation examines the introduction of a new man-machine interface, namely automatic speech recognition (ASR), and its application to the mobility impaired, who may lack the physical abilities to write, or to access a computer using a conventional keyboard. Eighteen case studies were conducted with users of the four main high vocabulary, speaker-dependent, isolated word/discrete utterance, computerized voice recognition systems, which in 1993 were DragonDictate$\sp{\rm TM}$, IBM VoiceType$\sp{\rm TM}$, IBM Speech Server$\sp{\rm TM}$ Series, and Kurzweil VOICE$\sp{\rm TM}$. In addition, over 50 interviews were carried out with manufacturers, rehabilitation centers, hospitals in the US and the UK, and with other professionals. There can be little doubt that the innovation is having a substantial effect: Sixteen out of the 18 case studies said it is leading to a significant increase in the quality of their lives, and the remaining two said they thought it would. Two thirds of the subjects said the new technology was also changing the way in which they communicate, resulting in the formulation of more elaborate, detailed, and accurate messages. As the rate of diffusion accelerates, ASR has huge potential for both the non-disabled, and disabled communities. In particular, recent increases in the number of people with repetitive stress injuries (RSI), one of the leading causes of acquired disability in the US and in Europe, and indications from RSI sufferers in this study, would indicate that this new technology has the potential to be a major preventative tool. In 1991, the number of RSI cases in the US was estimated to be 200,000, mainly caused through keyboard usage. (Rees, 1991). According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, ergonomic disorders were identified as the most rapidly growing category of work-related illness in 1992, accounting for 56 per / cent of illnesses reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). That compares with only 18 per cent in 1981, and 28 per cent in 1984. The six RSI case studies all reported that computerized voice recognition was allowing them to return to full-time work. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-10, Section: A, page: 3632. / Major Professor: Edward J. Forrest. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77015 |
| Contributors | Chamberlain, Michael A., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 283 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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