Also other tricks that my father and I have invented.
Content:
- CARKIT
- MOUSE ON SMARTPHONE & TABLET
- MEMO WITH VOICE
- SCANNING LETTERS
- STANDARD FOR TELEPHONE ON BED
- STANDARD FOR TELEPHONE ON CHAIR
CARKIT
I'm paralysed from my neck to down, I can barely move my arms. So I can not type. There is a device that I can activate with my voice. The Parrot MINIKIT NEO®
When I say "minikit" with my voice, I can activate the device. The device asks me: "Who do you want to call?" (In Dutch). I then speak the name of the contact which is stored on my phone. It is possible that the device misunderstands me. I can't push the 'cancel' button. But I found a solution:
In my phone I can store more phone numbers by one contact. I stored two same phone numbers by one contact. Make sure the two numbers has a different notation.
E.g. by 'GSM' +31 6 12345678 and 06 12345678 by 'Overig'. (Overig is Miscellaneous) When I call that contact, the device asks me if I want to call 'GSM' or 'Overig'. If I accidentally have chosen the wrong contact, I've got the opportunity to say: "annuleren" (cancel) to prevent the contact to be called.
Please note that any changes you make on the phone, should also be sent to the Parrot MINIKIT Neo.®
MOUSE ON SMARTPHONE & TABLET
I used to be able to just swipe my finger across the tablet. When my hand function deteriorated, that was no longer possible. I thought I would never be able to use a tablet again, but there is something that makes that possible. An OTG-cable. With this cable it is possible to connect a mouse to the Android tablet or smartphone. Available from E.G. Amazon.
There is a different cable for iOS with lightning connection (iPhone 14 and earlier). It is a lightning to USB cable. Available from E.G. Amazon.
First something needs to be enabled on the iPhone:
Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch -> AssistiveTouch. Rurn it on. A circle will appear on the screen. Now you can connect a wired mouse via that cable. A smaller circle will then appear. That's the mouse pointer. On the iPhone 15, the connection is USB C, so the Android OTG cable also fits.
If it can accommodate a wired mouse, it can also accommodate a modified mouse. There is a mouse that you can operate with your lips. The Lipstick. It is a mouse replacement for the computer and can therefore also be used for the tablet and telephone. The stick is placed near your mouth. Enclose the red dot with your lips.
By now exerting very small forces on the stick, you move the cursor. By briefly releasing one of the lips and then tightening it again, you create a 'mouse click'. The Lipstick can be completely adjusted to your needs via software. Ask your occupational therapist about the options.
MEMO WITH VOICE
I'm always thinking about things. E.g. what to do tomorrow, ideas for my website, etc. I can't write things down due to my handicap. Moreover the ideas come up during the night, the next morning I mostly have forget them. I found a solution:
I've got a voice recorder with voice activation. I let them lay the recorder on my belly and when I speak, the device records my voice. When I'm quiet for a while, the recorder jumps on standby. When I'm talking again, the device continues his record.
The next morning I connect the device to my computer. I then can listen to what I have recorded during the night.
SCANNING LETTERS
This is more a tip:
When I get letters, someone have to hold it in front of me, so that I can read it. That's very exhausting. When they scan my paper, I can read the letter on my screen.
STANDARD FOR TELEPHONE ON BED
With this phone holder it is possible to operate the phone when you are lying on your back in bed. The holder is attached to the bed edge on one side.
The sledge reaches the correct height via a tube system. The sled allows you to position the phone right in front of your face
You attach the phone to the holder and the cover of the phone using Velcro. On the left side I made a spot to put something extra.
STANDARD FOR TELEPHONE ON CHAIR
With this phone holder you can place your phone firmly on the table top of your wheel chair. Carefully determine the place on the table top, for example with Velcro first. Then finally drill the hole.
The telephone is also attached to this holder with velcro. Note the correct half of the Velcro. With the phone on it it will look like this.
