Using a Computer

I started to use a computer when I was 6 years old. My friend John, who uses a wheelchair, had a computer, and he let me play some games on it. I thought it was fun. My parents got an Apple II Plus computer. My first program was called Kiri's Hodge Podge, and it helped me learn my ABC's and where to find them on the keyboard. I remember when I pressed the letter "I" a big ice cream cone came on the screen.

I had lots of games on my computer. There was Math Blaster and Word Attack. I remember using my computer to write my weekly spelling words and sentences, and printing them out in big print, so I could see and read them. I also remember Keytalk. A man would speak what I wrote. Dr. Dollie Meyers taught me how to use Keytalk.

When I was in High School, we had a Macintosh. It was better, because I could have the print as big as I needed to see it. I like a program called Co:Writer. I can type the first letter and some word choices pop up on the screen. All I have to do is pick the right word. It makes typing a lot easier. I also like IntelliTalk. I can put the words in colors, and it talks. If the word sounds strange, my mom can fix it.

I still have a Macintosh. I can write using Word or IntelliTalk. Sometimes I use Co:Writer. I like getting email. My favorite thing to do on the computer is the Web. My mom helped me to set up some pictures that help me find my favorite web sites. I have taken some computer classes at the College of Marin. They were fun. In my Keyboarding class, the teacher put on Zoom Text and Zoom Caps, so I can see better.


Alliance for Technology Access web site on Assistive Technology.