SmartPedals can be configured to send special keystrokes or TalkingPoint Commands depending on which program is running and what window is active.  However, for Special Needs Users, they are best used for fast and intuitive Microphone Control.

Vocal microphone control is slow and not 100% reliable.  SmartPedals can be configured to keep the microphone on when a pedal is held down and off when it is released, providing an intuitve, press-to-talk, hands-free microphone control.

SmartPedals can significantly reduce operation times for other frequently used functions such as making corrections.

All SmartPedals require is a spare USB port.  They are not advised for use with laptops when moving about unless left permanently connected at each location where the laptop is in use.

Choosing the right headset, is particularly important for Special Needs Users.  There is no point in installing an excellent TalkingPoint System and overlooking the basic ergonomics. 

While there are a number of good headsets on the market, GHG limits its recommendations to a set it has successfully supplied and tested with good consistent results.

In addition to the headset you choose, unless you use TalkiingPoint SmartMike, TalkingPoint SmartPedals are recommended for efficient and intuitive microphone control.  GHG recommends USB headsets for trouble free use and high accuracy.  High accuracy is extremely important for special needs.

Talking Point SmartMike is particularly suitable for dyslexic sufferers who do not suffer from any muscular impairment.  It has both press to talk and toggled microphone control and a set of special buttons that allow text to be selected, deleted and corrected without being read.  Talking Point SmartMike is based on the well tried and tested Philips Speech Mike which is a superb handheld microphone.  However, handheld microphones are not suitable for noisy environments where noise cancelling headsets should be used.

For those who work on the telephone much of the time, the Tuffest Switchbox is usually advised.  This switchbox allows you to switch between two modes:

     Talking to your PC while listening on your phone
 
     Both talking and listening on the phone

You need to be able to manually press a single button to use the Tuffset,  as there are not any voice controls to switch modes.

The Tuffset should be combined with a separately purchased USB Pod.

The Tuffset has a headset with a foam earpad and this can prove uncomfortable for some users.  It is easy to get on and off.

If you are in an environment where you will not disturb others, an alternative to using a switchbox is to use a speaker phone with automatic dial.  TalkingPoint lets you dial by voice Using your Microsoft Outlook contact list.  All you need is a modem connection to a tone dial phone. 

For extreme comfort, the Emkay headset is recommended with a suitable USB Pod.  This heaset is light and comfortable and has good noise cancelling characteristics.  It has a unique skeletal earpiece (no foam pad) that allows the ear to breathe. Due to its light construction, it is relatively fragile and is therefore not suitable for carrying from place to place.  If you work in more than one location, budget for having a headset at each of those locations.  This headset can be difficult to get for disabled users.

For total mobility the wireless Plantronics headset is recommended.  Its lower-cost blue tooth competitors are not recommended as in GHG's experience, they have not delivered high accuracy across a good range of voices.  This headset is easy to put on and comfortable to wear.  It should be kept in a single location paired with its cradle.  Despite the excellent quality of this headset, it has been found to be unsuitable for a minority of female voices.

For basic low-cost high accuracy, the vXI USB headset is recommended.  It is the cheapest of all of the headsets listed in this section.  It is easy to put on and is more robust than most headsets.  It is a good choice if you work on the move with a laptop.  On the negative side, this headset has a foam earpiece and is relatively heavy and therefore some users may find it uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods.

• Special Needs Users want to control their computer by voice and not just occasionally click and dictate large amounts of prose.  This means learning new techniques and command structures and this takes time.  Until the basic techniques have been learnt and fluently applied, it is almost impossible for a user to self-learn.  Users cannot or should not reach for the keyboard to avoid tricky dictation or the mouse to avoid interactive selections.  The higher the degree of hands free use, the more training is required. For example, basic file browsing by voice, where individual commands replace individual mouse clicks and keystrokes, is possible but extremely slow.  Using the uniqe voice-activated TalkingPoint Explorer permits rapid file handling, but the voice interface needs to be learnt and that takes extra time.
  
  As a general guide for productive use, for reasonably fast learners, who do not have difficulty in reading the screen GHG recommends:
   
       2 full days for minimal-hands use
       3 full days for hands-free or virtually hands-free use.
   
  For mild dyslexia, where reading can be a challenge, but hands free use is not required, 1 to 1.5 days will usually suffice.

For severe dyslexia, additional training is often required and learning difficulties must be taken into account.

Training schedules must be arranged to suit the concentration spans and ability of the trainee.  When practicable, it may often be beneficial to break training days down into half days and to allow sufficient time for the user to practice between sesssions.

To cope with little and often training, GHG now provides training over the web (with the exception of when a screen reader such as Dolphin is being used) .  All the user needs is a broadband connection and an e-mail system.
 
Visual impairment and blindness requires special consideration.  Setup and training is more specialised than for other disabilities.   For those requiring a screen reader, the professional versions of Dolphin Hal and Dolphin SuperNova are recommended to work with TalkingPoint.  There is musch to learn and aside from any training provided by GHG or its dealers, training for Dolphin from a third party specialist source is also recommended.  That is, a user should be familiar with Dolphin before attempting to drive it by voice..

Microsoft Word is required for documents.

Microsoft Outlook is recommended for handling contacts, tasks and e-mail (not Microsoft Express).

It is worth noting, that some Internet Service Providers are not compatiblewith Microsoft Outlook and therefore the Internet Service Provider should also be chosen with care.

Lotus Notes and Groupwise are also supported with limited functionality.