New at ATIA 2006

New or Updated Devices/Software - ATIA 2006

Matthew Press
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology
Press_m01@firn.edu

Anne Banton
Assistive Technology Educational Network of Florida
Banton_a@firn.edu

This list is organized by sections including AAC Devices, Computer Access, Switches, Hearing/Vision, Miscellaneous, Software AAC, Software Computer Access, Software Hearing/Vision, Software Literacy. All items were placed in these categories for ease of organization by the authors. Some of the products may fit into more than one category. Products are not listed in any particular order.

This list should serve only as a guide to MOST of the products that were released or updated after Closing the Gap 2005 (October) until now (January). Although every attempt was made to ensure that every vendor represented at ATIA was included, the authors apologize for any company who was inadvertently left out. In addition, any misrepresentation of a product is simply an interpretation mistake by the authors.

AAC/Written Output

REACH by Dynavox www.dynavoxtech.com

This is a flowchart of information, designed to help Speech-Language Pathologists recommend high tech devices from the Dynavox family of tools. It includes information on different device features as well as a guide to funding solutions.

The Writer Plus, software updates by The Writer Learning Systems www.keyboardinstructor.com

Two new programs have been added to the software of this portable word processor. It is now equipped with a grading system called iScore. This gives the user feedback with a grade level equivalency of their writing sample. The second new software is WriterTips. This program gives the user tips for improving their score, including a tip and an example of how to use that tip.

Allora by Technology and Integration www.tni.be

This is a keyboard based text to speech communication system with built in word prediction software. It comes with a high quality natural sounding voice (male or female). The LCD display is 2 lines and 40 characters across. The device can have more than 100-programmed messages. An optional accessory is the GEWA infrared control unit.

GoTalk Button by Attainment Company www.attainmentcompany.com

The GoTalk Button is a 2 “ diameter circle with a 1” activation button in the middle. It has a magnet on the back that allows it to stick on any metal surface. It holds 10 seconds of recorded speech.

GoTalk Card by Attainment Company www.attainmentcompany.com

A small laminated piece of card stock that talks! It holds a picture on its left side and has a play button on the right side. Looks just like a greeting card. It holds 10 seconds of recorded speech.

GoTalk One by Attainment Company www.attainmentcompany.com

A small rectangular single message device. It weighs less than 2oz. and has the ability to store up to 10 seconds of recorded speech.

TalkFrame Six by Attainment Company www.attainmentcompany.com

A sturdy PVC case with 6 GoTalk Ones inserted into it.

VoicePod by Attainment Company www.attainmentcompany.com

This is a card reader that is easy to use. It comes with 36 reusable double-sided sleeves allowing you to create 72 different messages, all stored on the device. Simply place your picture into the sleeve, record your message and you are ready to go. Each message can be up to 9 seconds long. It has a record/lock feature to prevent accidental erasures.

Techpad SE by Hans on Technology www.handsontechnology.ca

This is a new high tech AAC solution that includes the device and preloaded software (specified by the user), a mounting system, and a switch! The device itself is a Tablet PC with BoardMaker installed. The device can have any other software installed and the company says it will replace the tablet PC within 48 hours if the hardware breaks down.

iChat2G by Dynavox www.dynavoxtech.com

This communication device is a PDA that uses Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) to allow users to communicate in many different situations. The device uses DECtalk speech synthesis and comes with 5 pre-programmed page sets.

Palmtop2G by Dynavox www.dynavoxtech.com

This communication device is a PDA that has six pre-programmed page sets, 10 editable keyboard pages, and several rate enhancement tools that can be modified to meet each user’s unique needs. The built-in hardware buttons can be programmed as well.

Computer Access

Smartnav 3AT by natural point www.naturalpoint.com

Smartnav has updated its software to allow for the use of voice commands for clicking. This new software is available for download on their website.

Lazee Mouse Pro www.lazeetek.com

This device has been updated to allow for left clicks and right clicks. You no longer have to choose just left or right clicking options.

Lazee Mouse Switch www.lazeetek.com

This device uses switches to right or left click. There is an option for two switches or dual action switches such as sip/puff.

Lazee Mouse Cursor www.lazeetek.com

This device is designed for users you do not need to click, i.e. dwell. The dwell feature needs to be from an outside source.

Switches

Voice Switch by Zygo www.zygo-usa.com

This sound activated switch can distinguish between external sounds and those made by the larynx. It ignores all other sounds, even coughs and respiratory sounds.

Sound Switch by Zygo www.zygo-usa.com

This sound activated switch executes a switch hit when a specific sound threshold is crossed. When the microphone "hears" a sound at or above the input volume threshold, a switch-hit is activated until the sound falls below that threshold.

Step by Step Guide to Assistive Technology: Switch and Mount Edition by TASH www.tashinc.com

This new CD is a guide to help decision makers choose the right assistive technology products, specifically switches and mounts

Hearing/Vision

Plextalk PTR2 Digital Player/Recorder by RFB&D www.rfbd.org

An upgrade from the original version, it now has twice the battery life and multiple recording options.

Plextalk PTN1 Pro Digital Daisy, MP3, and CD Player by RFB&D www.rfbd.org

This portable audio player is built rugged to withstand abuse in the classroom and beyond. It can read Daisy 2.02, MP3, CD audio content.

Victor Reader Wave Portable CD Player www.rfbd.org

Designed with all print disability users in mind. Provides a familiar telephone style keypad with tactile zones and audio feedback controls, as well as a 4-line LCD display to support users with learning disabilities.

Telex Professor CD/Cassette Player www.rfbd.org

A portable device designed to play cassettes, audio CDs, AudioPlus CDs, and RFB&D Classic Cassettes. It also includes an AM/FM radio with 64 radio presets.

The “BAT” (Plustek Book Reader) by Plustek www.plustek.com/bat

This scanner is designed for scanning in text from books with a spine. The edge is designed to allow the user to place the book on the scanner without ruining it. The scanner has built in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software as well as auto orientation allowing it to be viewed on the screen and read by the Book Reader TTS software.

Easy Braille by Handy Tech www.handytech.de

The easy Braille is a refreshable Braille display that can be connected to a computer. It allows the user to receive information on the screen in Braille format. In addition, it can also be used as to input information into a computer.

CarryMate by Clarity www.clarityusa.com

This is a portable video magnifier with an 11” screen. It weighs ten pounds and can last for over 6.5 hours before needing to be recharged. The company offers a lifetime warrant on the product (only one year for internal batteries)

AMIGO by Enhanced Vision www.enhancedvision.com

This is a slim, portable magnifier that weighs 1.3 pounds! It allows for digital magnification of up to 14x, has a 6.5" screen, and runs off of a standard battery with an internal charger.

Sensory Learning Kit by the American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org

This kit is designed to help young blind children develop their sensory skills. It allows teachers to provide a range of stimulation experiences via the auditory, tactual-kinesthetic, visual, olfactory, and gustatory senses. The kit is also designed to assist children in developing awareness, tolerance, and differentiation of various sensory stimuli.

Miniguide US by the American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org

This device uses ultrasound waves to “see” what is directly ahead. As an object nears, it vibrates more intensely, giving the user an awareness of obstacles or open paths in front of them.

FSTTY Deaf-Blind Telephone Communication Solution by Freedom Scientific www.freedomscientific.com

This new device allows a person with either a PAC Mate BX or QX accessible PDA and a refreshable Braille display to place and receive TTY calls using any standard analog phone line. The individual can read the conversation, save the conversation as a text file, and even copy/paste text into an active conversation for increased speed and accuracy.

FaceToFace Deaf-Blind Communication Solution by Freedom Scientific www.freedomscientific.com

This device allows a deaf-blind individual to communicate with a sighted user through Bluetooth technology. The deaf-blind user communicates using the PAC Mate while the sighted user sees the conversation on an iPAQ. The communication can be saved and pre-typed text can be cut and paste into the conversation to increase speed and accuracy.

PAC Mate 4.0 by Freedom Scientific www.freedomscientific.com

New features for this family of devices includes “in demand” features for the word processor, enhancement to the scientific calculator, support for multiple Braille tables, and a checkbook register.

KeyMaestro by Humanware www.humanware.com

This portable Braille keyboard is specially designed to be compatible with the Maestro PDA. It utilizes Bluetooth technology to send signals to the PDA wirelessly.

Easylink12 by Optelec www.optelec.com

The easylink 12 is designed to add portability for Braille users who need to access their PCs, PDAs, or smart phones. The keypad includes a 12 cell refreshable display, 2 navigation buttons, and a joystick. It only weighs 9 ounces.

Miscellaneous

Talking Spanish-English Student Dictionary by Franklin Learning Resources www.franklin.com

This talking device will say 10,000 words in both English and Spanish. It has built in learning games, a bilingual keyboard, and even displays verb conjugations. It also has a spell correction feature to help find words even if you don’t know the proper spelling.

REACH by Break Boundaries www.breakboundaries.com

This device is an environmental control unit (ECU) capable of controlling a multitude of devices. It has a 12” color screen that can be controlled by touch, voice commands, or any standard alternate input control that can be plugged into a USB port. Users can control many things including: television, receiver/stereo, DVD player, CD player, Tape Deck, Cable, and Satellite. It comes standard with a Daisy mount attachment. Some of its optional accessories include bed control and nurse call.

GEWA Progress www.zygo-usa.com

The GEWA Progress is a dynamic display ECU. It stores up to 236 IR channels. Access is direct to the keypad or one or two switch scanning. There is visual and auditory feedback.

Talk-Aid by RJ Cooper www.rjcooper.com

This new product amplifies the voice of quiet talkers. It is a non intrusive, portable system to help increase the volume of a person’s voice.

Software AAC

Viking Software available on the Merc/Minimerc by Assistive Technology Inc. www.assistivetech.com

Viking Software, a communication software, is now available on the Merc and MiniMerc

Software Computer Access

Discover Pro for Windows by Madentec www.madentec.com

This software allows a user to access the computer through three different methods (Scan, Touch, or Point). It scanning mode, it has customizable on screen setups that allow navigation through any part of the computer that can be controlled using mouse or keyboard functions.

Discover Envoy for Mac OSX by Madentec www.madentec.com

Software Hearing/Vision

LifeMate Software by Eye Response Technologies, Inc. www.eyeresponse.com

This software opens the computer up for communication, alternative computer access, and environmental controls accessible by keyboard, touch screen, switches, head control, or eye control.

Gh Player 2.1 by gh, LLC www.gh-accessibility.com

“The gh PLAYER 2.1 is an accessible software application that allows persons with print-disabilities the opportunity to read books and documents with ease, save time finding information, benefit from flexible reading solutions, and improve both reading comprehension and productivity.” Quoted from Press Release

Money Talks by the American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org

This is a money management software that provides access to account management, printing and Braille embossing of the register. It can also write checks.

JAWS 7.0 by Freedom Scientific www.freedomscientific.com

The new features to this screen reading software include: navigation quick keys in MS Word and Internet Explorer, an electronic clipboard allowing addition of more selections to the windows clipboard. The ability to create custom summaries in Excel as well as quicker access to user defined cells. It also includes a new presentation mode for viewing pdf documents and tables in print and Braille as they would normally appear in html format.

Software Literacy

Read and Write Gold v8 for Windows by TextHelp www.texthelp.com

The new features include enhanced publishing tools for editing scanned text and Fact Mapper, which allows the user to see facts organized on the screen in both graphics and text.

Spark Space v2.4 www.spark-space.com

New features include the ability to import files created in Inspiration, creation of lists and timelines, a table of contents, clip art viewer, and the ability to hid sublevels to keep things organized on the screen.

WriteAssist by SecondGuess Software www.secondguessusa.com

This software is designed to help people complete written work easier. It is a talking word processor, screen reader, and has built-in word prediction. It can be a standalone program or float above other active programs.