“Wake up,” Bothell’s Joe Meyer says into a headset.

Just a few feet away, a computer screen lights up.

“Start word,” Meyer continues, and, right on cue, the computer opens up a word-processing program.

Using only his voice, Meyer has the computer type a few paragraphs and manipulate the fonts and type size.

A quadriplegic unable to use his hands following a serious accident four years ago, Meyer is seated in a wheelchair in the Northshore Senior Center in Bothell where he now teaches the use of voice-recognition software.

Besides word processing, the voice-control system allows users to access the Internet, correspond with e-mail, play games and do just about anything any other computer user might be able to do. The only physical action needed is hitting your computer’s power switch.

Meyer just started teaching classes at the Northshore center a short time ago. His clients or students mostly have been senior citizens with limited dexterity and those with other functional handicaps. One notable client is an artist who lost much of her dexterity as the result of a brain tumor.

“A lot of people start thinking of ‘Star Trek,’” Meyer said in regard to voice-recognition work with a computer. Meyer said a better way to think of the program he uses — Dragon Naturally Speaking — is as a computer control tool similar to a mouse or keyboard.

“It allows me to be creative in ways I never could otherwise,” Meyer added.

Meyer is insistent voice-recognition programs aren’t just for those with limited manual dexterity. For many applications, he said the system is actually quicker than a mouse and a keyboard. For example, most people can speak three times more quickly than they can type. Meyer said as long as the user speaks clearly, the program can keep up and accurately type what is said.

As another example of the relative speed of the voice-controlled system, Meyer points out users never have to type out passwords. They simply state something like “password 1” and the appropriate password is entered into the computer in seconds.

Meyer said he learned voice software during rehabilitation training at Harborview Medical Center.

“It’s the one thing I can do other than watch TV and read books,” Meyer said. “For me, it’s a god-send.”

The Dragon Naturally Speaking program comes in a couple of editions, starting at around $100. A professional package runs around $800. Other than a headset and a microphone, which come with the program, no special equipment is needed to utilize the software. According to Meyer, the average computer has enough capacity to run the program. Meyer said that for some time he ran the Dragon program on a laptop.

Formerly a stay-at-home dad, Meyer was involved in a collision with another rider during an amateur motorcycle race in a southern California desert the weekend of Thanksgiving in 2004. He landed on his head and ended up with a serious spinal-cord injury. Following the accident, he and his immediate family moved to the Bothell area to be closer to some extended family, as well as take advantage of the better health care Meyer said is available in Seattle.

Meyer’s classes are one-on-one sessions. He charges $25 per hour and classes are held at the Northshore center. Call (425) 286-1038 for reservations.

“I think this can be a very valuable tool for people who need it,” Meyer said.