Science has always fascinated Garrett Young. From the time he got his first chemistry set on his 9th birthday, he threw himself into "experimenting." By high school, his focus was set and he was headed for a career in medical research. He was also a fine athlete and particularly excelled at football. The future looked bright for the seventeen year old when, in his senior year, an awkward football tackle caused a spinal cord injury. Doctors informed Garrett he would not regain the use of his legs, and would have only limited use of his hands.

After a challenging recovery, Garrett completed high school and then medical school. He now has a career in medical research with a focus on cell biology.

Garrett conducts his work with a Windows Vista computer, utilizing many of its accessibility programs. Rather than a traditional mouse, he uses head mouse to focus a light beam to select items on the computer screen and a sip-and-puff device to click. To speed up typing, he dictates text with Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista and uses the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows Vista. He also answers phone calls right on his computer and has a Smartphone equipped with Voice Command.

Colleagues he's worked with for years via e-mail and phone often don't know Garrett gets around via electronic wheelchair. And buddies he has known since college don't even think of Garrett as being in a wheelchair anymore—what first comes to mind is "what a great card player" he is.

Accessibility makes the difference every day for people who have mobility impairments that range from wrist pain to quadriplegia. Learn how to make your computer easier to use.

Current Solutions

• Head mouse and Sip-and-puff device with On Screen Keyboard in Windows Vista
• Windows Speech Recognition
• Voice command on a smartphone