To date, 14 residents of The Mary Campbell Center in Wilmington, Delaware, have participated in the Speech Accessibility Project. The center an intermediate long-term care facility serving people with disabilities. The residents shared their thoughts about participating in the Speech Accessibility Project.

Heather Dowell

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

It was an interesting experience because I've never done something like this before. 

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

 I bought some necessities that I needed. 

Why is the project important to you?

It was hopefully something that could help people understand disabled people's speech better than before. 

Jamie Kearns

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

It was really an eye-opening experience for me, because I use Siri all the time and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t work. I am hoping the Speech Accessibility Project in Illinois can make Siri even better than it is now.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

I bought some new clothes.  

Why is the project important to you?

Because people like myself don’t have the clearest speech and I was hoping that you guys could make it better for all of us.  

Brian Moore

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

It was very interesting participating in Accessibility Project. I like learning that there are people interested in improving voice recognition.
 
How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

 I used the gift card to purchase clothes. 

Why is the project important to you?

The project is important to me because it opens up doors for me and many others. 

Bill Bancroft

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

I found it challenging at first, but as I got into it, I found it fun. I thought the question prompts were interesting.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

 I haven’t used my gift cards yet. I will probably use them for Christmas shopping.  

Why is the project important to you?

It is important because there are a lot of disabled people who have different speech patterns who can be more independent if their speech is understood. 

Missy Grimaldi

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

It was fun and I learned a lot about myself. 

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

 I used the gift cards to buy new clothes. 

Why is the project important to you?

It is important to help other people access different devices. Thank you for letting me participate. 

Allison Brennan

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

It was a nice way to give back and help people in the future.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

I bought gifts for my family and things for myself. 

Why is the project important to you?

I know the struggles of trying to use technology with my voice. I also know what it is like to overcome speech challenges.  

Dan Price

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?   

I found great joy in participating in this project because I know it might help others like me who struggle with their speech.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?  

I bought new clothes and am appreciative of the gift.  

Why is the project important to you?   

It can improve how we understand one another regardless of our speech problems. 

Julia Harding

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?   

It was both a cool and interesting experience.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?  

I purchased new exercise clothes; I love to bike and spend time in the physical development center. 

Why is the project important to you?   

I learned a lot about speech. There are many people like me who have difficulties with speech, and I am hopeful that this project will help other people understand folks like me.

Mike Luternau 

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

It was different because I never did anything like that before. 

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

I bought WWE sheets and a fan. I have money left over to buy Christmas presents. 

Why is the project important to you?

I hope the devices can learn to understand my speech so I can do things on my own.

Lauren Zurmuhl

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

Very creative and freeing knowing I can improve others lives in the future.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

I bought myself a weighted blanket and I still have money left so I am going to buy an over the head poncho that fits around my chair.

Why is the project important to you?

I never had software understand me growing up so I hope that I can remedy that problem by doing this project for people in the future.

Bob Dean

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

It was fine.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

I bought a suit and a lamp shade.  

Why is the project important to you?

I can talk.

Julie Jordan

What was it like to participate in the Speech Accessibility Project?

I wanted to earn some money and help a lot of people.  

How did you use the gift cards we shared as a thank-you gift for participating?

I want to buy paper because I like to write. I might also buy Christmas presents. 

Why is the project important to you?

I liked working with my speech therapist. People don’t always understand me, and I hope this can help me and others.