August 1998

Greg Smith Communicates Via Radio Interview

D.	To learn all about the author, Greg Smith, check this link http://www.mdtap.org/tt/1997.10/4-gregsmith.html. To write to Greg, click here: smithg@capa.net

On March 27, 1998, Greg Smith, an augmentative communicator and previous contributor to "Tapping Technology", was interviewed by a Pittsburgh student radio station at Point Park College, WPPJ, by Chris Woodley, News Director. Greg is presently a student at Community College of Allegheny County, PA, where he is studying journalism. Greg uses a quarter row column scanning technique to access his Liberator. The following is part of their conversation.

Chris: Describe your life and how computers have had an effect on your lifestyle?
Greg: Like everybody else who's listening, my life has had highs and lows, although with the assistance of technology, life has presented itself with bigger problems and of course is becoming a bit complex. Computers have given me a voice, writing capabilities, and the knowledge of what's happening around the world.

Chris: What was your schooling like and how were you able to complete assignments?
Greg: My schooling in both elementary and high school years relied on my personal drive to learn and to be as close to a regular child as possible. I completed most of the assignments by writing them out in long hand. My physical abilities declined through the years until I was only able to move my thumb and head enough to activate a couple of switches.

Chris: How is your electronic wheelchair operated?
Greg: I can not walk and talk at the same time. Therefore I have to switch modes by toggling a head switch that rests near my right ear. My motorized wheelchair is operated through a switch which is activated by my thumb, after I choose a way to go on a directional box that systematically shows me four possible directions. The wheelchair also has the ability to recline from a sitting position to a lying position that might sometimes confuse people, if they're not careful.

Chris: When did you first learn to live your life with all of the computer equipment?
Greg: Well, I'm still learning but computers seem to be a way of life for most people, and since I'm unable to do things physically it was almost certain that I would end up with some kind of device helping me. I believe the process for me personally started in '84, however there were a few projects dealing with computers in '81 & '82 I had to learn somehow to survive in this cold, cruel world.

Chris: What difficulties have you experienced with the computer equipment and software?
Greg: My experience is that Murphy's Law is reality. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Everything from my Liberator dying, to bad switches, to bad wires you name it, been there, done that. Especially the fact that the positioning of my hand is a large problem for even beginning to communicate with my Liberator.

Chris: What are some of the differences between your Lighttalker from 1984 and your Liberator from 1994?
Greg: The Liberator has a larger memory, word prediction, a larger L C D screen, a built in printer and the ability to create and use notebooks like I'm using right now to communicate with you. I also use it to emulate, communicate with my computer, complete college assignments, and answer my e-mail. It's a lot easier to use and I'm a faster communicator. (according to some people, who are in the business of helping disabled)

Chris: What are some changes you had to make to your Liberator since you don't have a mouse?
Greg: People with disabilities need a way to make key strokes to replace mouse movement and mouse clicks. Over the years lots of research has been done in this area. The federal government has sponsored most of it. A set of commands was developed. Also part of windows 95 is a shareware. It's called serialkeys.

Chris: How long did it take you to understand the functions of your communication aid?
Greg: I'm constantly learning. But I was able to learn enough to communicate pretty fast.

Chris: How does your communication aid and computer work together?
Greg: The serial port of the Liberator is connected via a cord to the serial port of the computer.

Chris: Donald Spaeth, from the University of Pittsburgh and a very good friend of yours, credits you for making a crucial discovery that made your communication aid a practical method for accessing Windows 95. What was that discovery?
Greg: When I hold my switch down on the Liberator it sends that key stroke repeatedly to the computer. This enables me to rapidly move the cursor instead of moving it one stroke at a time. My friend Don Spaeth calls this the "flying thumb".

Chris: How long did it take you to understand the functions of your communication aid?
Greg: My Liberator is a powerful tool. The manufacturer Prentke Romich, in Ohio and the Linguists at Semantic Compaction, here in Pittsburgh are constantly making improvements. Again, like life, I'm constantly learning.

Chris: How are new commands entered into your computer?
Greg: They're really entered into my Liberator. I use my Liberator to talk to my computer like you use a keyboard and a mouse. Anyway, I activate a store key, the commands must then be typed and saved. I then assign an icon sequence to activate the new command.

Chris: When and how did you get your passion for creative writing?
Greg: It all started with me listening to the radio. I guess I was about seven or eight years old. I listened a lot. I wanted to write lyrics that someday would inspire others

Chris: Do you feel chatting over the internet is a good way of discussing issues, problems and learning insights from other people (or to other people) as you do often?
Greg: It's really the way of the world. Let me ask you, how could anybody function in the world otherwise? For the disabled who are slow communicators in the fast paced world, it's an equalizer. I can compose my message and take all the time I need. When I send it you would never know how long it took or become impatient with how long it took me to compose it.

Chris: What do you hope to accomplish in the coming years?
Greg: My dream is to write something that will not only inspire people but will live forever.

I thank you and your listeners for your time, and if you would like me to come back I would be happy too.

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