Apple Computers Are Truly Helping People
by Chris Rogers
June 15th, 2000

Almost any computer manufacturer you see says that their computers are easy to use and really functional. I have found only one company that actually can stand behind what they say and prove that. That company is of course, Apple. I've been going to school with an inspiration for about a year. His name is Sal. Sal is a Senior of the graduating class of 2000 and is stuck in the clutches of a motorized wheelchair. From what I've been told, Sal was placed in the chair after an accident he had when playing soccer. He accidentally hurt himself leaving him almost paralyzed. This injury also has left him mute.

Sal has been living the past few years in a wheelchair that is computer oriented. He is able to construct sentences and speak during class discussions through this portal. What I find amazing is that he is able to communicate through a visual computer. The voice he uses is Apple's Text-to-Speech, and everything he wants to say is on a special touch screen with little picture icons associated with each word. All he needs to do is tap the screen for each word he wants to say and a sentence is built. Of course, the computer on his wheelchair connects to an Apple PowerBook G3 (It's better than my iBook!). Sal is able to type and do all of his work using an Apple Computer without a PC involved anywhere.

I don't know about you but to me this reflects very well on Apple. A handicapped student is able to communicate with the world, express his ideas and interact with other people by using their technology. That is a great achievement for any company. Apple computers are truly helping people.

-Chris Rogers-