Help and support

Describes the help required for adults with cp to use their computers. Some of the participants required AT devices. One of the participants interviewed described:

Example 1:

“INTERVIEWEE_PA: she uses Pathfinder but will get another version called Liberator … this is what she wants it builds a computer inside and its like the way you use laptop and

everything over 90% will fit on the communication aid isn’t it? (see chapter 2 section 2.5.1 for definition and further examples)

INTERVIEWEE: yes

INTERVIEWEE_PA: and 20% no 10% will be just the Privilege ... they said that if you download music or movie it will slow down you communication aid so she won’t do that she will do that were you desktop or your laptop”

Other participants used lower level AT devices to interact with their computers because they found keyboards and mouse difficult to use for example “I think the keyboards can be hard to use”. Eight of the participants interviewed described:

Example 2:

“INTERVIEWEE_PA: when she uses the computer she downloads EZ keys.” (see chapter 2 section 2.5.1 for definition and further examples)

Example 3:

“INTERVIEWEE: I have that [points to trackball] (see chapter 2 section 2.5.1 for definition and further examples)

INTERVIEWER: do you use that often? I INTERVIEWEE yes … when I am tired”

Example 4:

“INTERVIEWEE: I have a trackball instead of a mouse and I use sticky key function if I need to do two different key strokes I… because I cannot use two hands simultaneously so Stick Jet is a vital bit of software … sometimes it can be difficult the most difficult part of the keyboard

is the function keys because when I am inputting information and I have to keep my write on the key and the functions keys are just out of reach actually I have a piece of kit I don’t use a standard keyboard I use a cherry keyboard … because it is half the size of the standard keyboard … because I need it to be able to be able to anchor my wrist … because movement minimum move because I need to get to the keyboard without moving my hands.” (see chapter 2 section 2.5.1 for definition and further examples)

Example 5:

“INTERVIEWEE: I have got an external keyboard … because it is easier for me.”

Example 6:

“INTERVIEWEE: Windows NOVA control panel … it reads … it lets me hear what is written.” (see chapter 2 section 2.5.1 for definition and further examples)

Example 7:

“INTERVIEWEE: Screen reading software is like when I am reading a paper, If I am reading a paper I listen to it through the screen reader instead, I can read but is very slow it takes me about half and hour to read pages … is hard going hmm … so I use screen readers a lot but very occasionally very very occasional I will produce a document using Dragon.” (see chapter 2 section 2.5.1 for definition and further examples)

Example 8:

“INTERVIEWEE: Well when I am away from my computer 99.9% I my mouse obviously with my movement I find using using a mouse very difficult so if I can’t find ways of doing it on the keyboard rather than a mouse like scrolling downing and up and down on the right I will use a keyboard rather than a mouse if I am using I would have to slow speed right down to in order to be able to use the computer.”

Example 9:

“INTERVIEWEE_PA: she can control the word predict” (see chapter 2 section 2.5.1 for definition and further examples)

The study found that AT devices does not always provide the level of help that is required to use a computer. Some participants reported requiring additional help from a support individual, for example, a carer, personal assistant and/or family member. One participant reported asking for help from her

fellow students and is now considering going to her university technical support team. Four participants interviewed described:

Example 10:

“INTERVIEWEE: I don’t understand lines so for instance if there’s something on a computer so I have to get my [personal assistant] to do something and then I will try and do the same thing.”

Example 11:

“INTERVIEWEE: My mum writes letters on the computer and sends them off for me if there is complicated questions on a questionnaire hmm or sometimes she would write letters for me on my behalf she does that as well for me and gives me a copy.”

Example 12:

“INTERVIEWEE: Sometimes I have problems with printing yeah this kind of technical issues but yea but sometimes I ask other students but yeah … I am thinking to talk to technical support to help me”

Example 13:

“INTERVIEWEE: Bought a mouse and I didn’t know I plug it in the wrong thing … eventually my daughter came and I asked her to fix it and it was fine.

Additionally one participant reported continually asking for help from her daughter was wrong because she wanted to be independent and use the computer for herself. The participant interviewed described:

Example 14:

“INTERVIEWEE: Oh phoning my daughter oh there a problem with the computer and there is nothing wrong with the computer because I am not qualified and I am not don’t understand it I should able to you know get on the computer and able to be independent when you haven’t get an assistant you are phoning everyone to come and help and I think that is wrong.”

However one participant wanted to remain independent as possible by restraining her disability so that she could enter text independently. The participant interviewed described:

Example 15:

“INTERVIEWEE: I go on my computer and do things in my own time because my typing is not so good … I had to type it specially… I would just would as I was typing I would just type some and hmm since my left hand would write I mean type the same word I would so twice then I would write again… it would be longer but I can do it but my typing is slow bit that’s that’s because of my cerebral palsy.”