Excerpt from 'PC On Wheels', an article by Monika Merkes

"I met Craig through a common friend. Craig uses computers for everyday tasks like looking up in the Melways where a train station is located, reading newspapers in the morning, or using ICQ to communicate with friends. He used to have a cable connection to the Internet, but that became too expensive. So now he subscribes to GoConnect.

Craig's computer is a Pentium III with 600 MHz which includes a CD writer. He uses a remote control keyboard that he can pick-up and move around. His keyboard has a mouse, but he also uses a touch pad. I asked him where he learned to use computers. "I suppose at school I got the computer bug, and then I taught myself, it's not really that hard. Mostly it's trial and error".

I asked Craig how accessible he finds the available technological devices. "I've managed to buy these, I don't know what you call it, all the parts here that were originally at the back of the computer, like headphones and joystick. There is no way I could reach these before - now I have all these jacks at the front. I've recently put wheels at the bottom of the computer. The only thing I can think of, maybe, they should have USB ports in front. It's very messy. If you look behind the desk, there are cords running everywhere". Craig found the appliances he wanted through the Internet and computer swap meetings.

ComTech provides an information and advisory service for people with disabilities who wish to find out what electronic communication devices, computer access options, specialised computer applications and environ-mental control equipment are available. ComTech's speech pathologists and occupational therapists provide advice only, they do not sell equipment. They can be contacted by telephone on 03 9362 6111, Freecall for country callers 1800 686 5333, e-mail comtec@yooralla.com.au, or fax 03 9314 9825."

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