There are three main categories of Voice Recognition programs available:

• Voice Control - allows complete control of all the computer's functions by voice alone. The user can open programs, move the cursor around the screen, click to perform different functions and manipulate most computer operations and functions. These programs usually incorporate a discrete speech recognition facility. Indicated for use with people who have difficulty using a keyboard or mouse.
• Discrete Speech Recognition - allows the user to dictate information directly into the computer through a microphone. The words dictated must be separated by a small pause between words, which results in an artificial speaking style. The program must be trained to recognize each individual voice, and to develop a user-specific vocabulary. This may take some time to develop and the more the program is used, the better the recognition of words will be. Advantages are that these programs can be used on more basic computers and can be beneficial to people who are better dealing with individual words, rather than complete sentences and phrases. The programs allow correction, spelling and training through the use of voice alone.
• Continuous Voice Recognition - allows the user to dictate information directly into the computer using continuous speech, without pauses between the words. This is a much more natural and faster way of speaking than discrete voice recognition. The programs incorporate voice controlled editing, formatting and navigation around the document with spelling, training and correction functions also being voice controlled. Continuous voice recognition needs to be trained to recognize individual voices and to develop specialized vocabularies. Most current continuous voice recognition programs will operate directly into a word processor or other programs. There are no continuous voice recognition programs currently available for Macintosh computers. These programs require certain minimum computer requirements to operate.

Names of programs: Dragon NaturallySpeaking and Dragon Dictate; Learnout & Hauspie Voice Xpress; Computing Out Loud; 21st Century Eloquence; Speak to Write