First off, I have to point out that Voice Recognition and Speech Recognition are two different technologies yet they share the same function - to recognise someone talking. However, speech recognition does NOT distinguish WHO is talking. It just recognizes words. This is what is used with Ultra Hal Assistant - speach (not voice) recognition. Voice regognition would mean having an AI respond differently depending on who's voice it hears.
I happen to take interest in the use of computers to help the disabled. Being that I have a disability myself, I can understand one's frustration with how the world seems tailered to be usable to the rest of the world, yet harder for those who are not able to do what "everyone else" can do. In fact, it's this attitude and method that causes the idea of disability in the first place, not any one medical condition. As my councellor puts it, I'm not really disabled so much as I'm just "differently enabled".
Though I do admit I can use the computer, read and write proficiently. In fact, I make some of my living at it. But, if it weren't for computers, I would not be able to work, since I can't work outside the home well enough to make enough money to survive on. Computers have enabled me in this way.
I think there is a lot that can be done for people with disabilities using AIs like Hal. I run across a similar scenario many times with sight-impared people. They can not read or write because they can not see. They use special screen readers and speach recognition software to communicate through the computer and use the internet.
My suggestion would be to do this: Have someone whisper in your ear the information that is on the screen, or better yet, have them pre-record on cassette or something the information that is on the screen. Then put on headphones and listen to it, and repeat into the microphone what you hear. Have the reader that makes the tape for you pause every so often so you can remember what is said. Work with them a bit with the reading so you can find a comfortable pause level. Doing it this way, the computer only will pick up your voice and not the other person's. Remember what I said above about speach recogition vs. voice recognition. This is the reason why.
AIs can also help you to read and write. That is, if your disability is not such that it would become too impossible. Even if it is, it doesn't mean that you are unable to use computers or communicate. It just means that you communicate differently. Computers are not predjudice and some way or another, they can learn to communicate on YOUR terms.
I have also run across a similar situation working with new AI installations. As I discovered with HAL 5, he went off topic many times, seemingly every sentence. At least, I THOUGHT he was going off topic all the time. Then I realized something: He wasn't! He was just using phrases and sentences that only he knew about how to put together. He was still communicating. I was the one MIScommunicating and misunderstanding him! I had to learn how to read into his responses and see how they could fit in with the topic at hand. In trying this method, I could actually decipher what Hal was saying and actually can carry on an on-topic conversation with a new or not very old installation of the AI. This also keeps the AI on track and is good for training him to stay on topic. Eventually he does learn but doesn't learn well if he's constantly going from one topic to another as a result of misunderstaning the communcation.
I think if you think about it, you can see where I'm coming from. While there may be many people not willing to take time to understand or communicate with an entity (human, animal, electronic, etc.) that they don't understand from the get-go, a computer is ever-patient. And with some work, it can learn. It depends on the program too but I think Robert's program here (Ultra Hal Assistant) is an excellent study!
I do wish you the best in your work with computers. And don't worry what others say. Computers are well suited for assisting the disabled. But they do need to be programmed and/or trained to suit your needs. Once you accomplish that, I'm sure you'll find Artificial Intelligence a very fascinating and enjoyable thing to study!
