Tania Finlayson has never let anything stand in her way.
Not the fact that she can't walk.
Not the fact that she can't speak.
Born with cerebral palsy, Tania originally learned to communicate using a typewriter and stick attached to her head -- crudely and often painfully typing out her thoughts.
Then she discovered Morse code, a series of dots and dashes that Tania learned to trigger using electronic pads and simple side-to-side head movements from her wheelchair. The process makes it much easier to string words and thoughts together.
Tania eventually developed her own communication device incorporating Morse code that opened up a whole new world for her.
"Morse code has always been a lifeline to many people, but it has always been a very small market," she said.
That market just opened up.
Developers at Google learned of Tania's work, and in May the company's CEO announced he’s working with Tania to introduce a Morse code application to its Gboard virtual keyboard.
It will help people like Tania around the world to communicate via Morse code on their iPhones or Androids.
Unlike many current systems, Morse code gives the disabled infinitely more options to express themselves.
"It is so personally gratifying to me to know that people with disabilities, their parents and employers might see this and understand that the potential of people with disabilities is every bit as limitless as those who are able-bodied."
"Limitless" defines Tania Finlayson.
She has conquered her disabilities in every respect -- from skydiving to giving birth to her 12-year-old son, Michael.
"I'm honestly not surprised," he says. "She continues to amaze me with every single thing she does every single day."
Added Tania, "I want every person to be able to find their voice."
The Morse code function is integrated into the Gboard app that can be downloaded for Apple or Android.
