Lately, I’ve been dabbling in the world of Dragon Professional Individual 15. Dragon Professional Individual 15, let’s call it Dragon for short, is a software that allows users to completely control the computer with the power of their voice. Many people use Dragon for dictation purposes; but for those with physical disabilities, Dragon can be the bridge between not using a computer and FULLY using a computer. Clients of ND Assistive who are using Dragon generally have two common wishes:

1. I want to use Dragon for email.
2. I want to use Dragon for social media.

Not an earth-shattering or surprising request. We all want to stay connected to those who are most important to us. As a result, I’ve dove deep into Dragon Professional Individual 15’s capacity for fulfilling this request.

Below are a few tips from what I’ve learned. Hopefully, it makes your Dragon learning experience an easier one.

NOTE: The following tips are based on results using the Google Chrome browser with the Google Chrome Dragon Web Extension.

Two important things to note before we begin:

1. Dragon will work seamlessly with an app or,
2. Dragon will not work seamlessly with an app.

IMPORTANT: In instances Dragon doesn’t work with an application you will need to use the Dictation Box feature to work around the compatibility issue. Here’s how it works –

Assuming Dragon is on and listening:

1. Using your mouse or using Dragon’s built-in mouse commands click into the field you want text inputted into.
2. Say, “Open Dictation Box”
3. Speak the text you want relayed.
4. Say, “Click Transfer”
5. Depending on what app you’re in, you may need to say, “Press the key Enter” or use your mouse to submit the text.

Vwah-lah!

Now let’s dive into more specific popular email and social media applications. I will let you know if it is compatible with Dragon or if you have to use the Dictation Box method.

Email

Outlook

• Compatible with Dragon

Gmail

• Compatible with Dragon

Yahoo Email

• Compatible with Dragon

Facebook

Creating a Post

• Problem: Users can insert text into the Create Post field, but they cannot send the message or select the “Share” button with a mouse or Dragon’s mouse commands.
• Solution: Use the Dictation Box method to input text. Next, say, “Click Share” to complete your post.

Commenting

• Use the Dictation Box method to input text. Next, say, “Press the key Enter” to complete your post.

Liking, Loving, etc. Other’s Posts

• Use your mouse or Dragon’s built-in mouse commands to complete this objective.

Instagram

Commenting

• Problem: You can insert text into the comment field, but you cannot send the message.
• Solution: Use the Dictation Box method to input text. Next, say, “Press the key Enter” to complete your post.

Liking

• Use your mouse or Dragon’s built-in mouse commands to complete this objective.

Twitter

Tweeting

• Dictate your Tweet. Use your mouse or Dragon’s built-in mouse commands to click “Tweet”.

Commenting

• Dictate your comment. Use your mouse or Dragon’s built-in mouse commands to click “Reply”.