SPEAKING FOR YOURSELF
AAC Devices Get Faster, Easier, More Flexible
by Tara Wood
Beware of the "wow factor." You might be wowed and amazed
when learning about the latest advances in augmentative, alternative
communication (AAC) devices high-tech machines that generate speech.
Like other areas of high technology, AAC is riding an impressive
wave of development, and new machines on the market make use of the
latest computer technology.
Thats great news for people whose ability to speak has been affected
by progressive diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
Friedreichs ataxia, myotonic muscular dystrophy or some myopathies.
For some examples of how people with neuromuscular diseases are putting
these devices to work, see "Mind
Muscle."
But, if youre considering such a device, experts say, first be sure
the machine meets your individual needs. (Information about how to
find and pay for the best device for your needs has been covered in
previous issues of Quest and The MDA/ALS Newsletter. See "Communications
Resources.")
The newest AAC devices address a wide spectrum of needs that consumers
have expressed, with independence as a goal. That includes having
independent access to communication, the Internet and the telephone,
said John Standal, director of sales for Assistive Technology Inc.
"What the manufacturers are trying to offer is a full solution
for people to give them as much independence as possible," said
Standal, who is also the president of Communication Aid Manufacturers
Association, a nonprofit organization representing the AAC industry.
Typing and Talking
While many AAC devices on the market accommodate children by incorporating
symbols and pictures for creating speech, manufacturers find that
a growing number of their customers are literate adults with typing
or computer experience.
For many of these AAC users, a type-and-talk device with a keyboard
is the first choice, and there are now more brands to choose from.
Some examples are the Link Plus by Assistive Technology Inc., the
DynaWrite by DynaVox, the LightWRITER and the Polyana by Toby Churchill,
and the Handheld by Enkidu Research.
Some of the newest type-and-talk devices have been designed with
the ALS community in mind.
The needs of people with ALS inspired the DynaWrite by DynaVox. In
that device a user "can see the on/off switch, type something
in, and then push the speak button," said Paul Carter, DynaVox
vice president of marketing
Simplicity was a priority since a user with ALS might not be able
(and caregivers might not have the opportunity) to tinker with a computerized
device, he said.
"It has to be very intuitive and easy to use," Carter said.
Although they appear simple, most of these machines offer more than
meets the eye.
For example, the DynaWrite can store thousands of pages of text,
and it enables a user to prepare speeches, routine conversations or
lengthy statements in advance. It also allows a user whos working
on a long entry to switch to chat mode, have a conversation and then
go back to the longer piece, Carter said.
It can be argued that this type of device was inspired by the LightWRITER,
made by British company Toby Churchill and distributed in the United
States by Zygo USA. It didnt hurt the LightWRITERs popularity to
be featured in movies and television shows depicting characters with
ALS. (Read about the "Becker"
episode in The MDA/ALS Newsletter, February 2002.)
"The LightWRITER really hit the ALS market years ago, and its
kind of like the cornerstone for communication devices for people
who have ALS because everyone has seen it," Standal said.
The newest edition of the LightWRITER, the SL87, also includes a
scanning mode. It still has the popular forward-facing display so
other people can read what a user types, said Adam Weiss, a Zygo USA
sales representative.
Look Ma, No Hands
 |
The Vanguard II by Prentke Romich includes access via a head-controlled
mouse. |
Another recent development in the industry combines existing AAC
technology with a head-operated device to make it easier to "access"
or use speech generation for those with limited movement.
Prentke Romich announced last year that its Vanguard II machine can
now include a built-in head mouse camera system (the Tracker technology
by Madentec). That means users who cant type or push buttons but
have some head movement just need to wear a small, reflective dot
on their foreheads.
The dot (a sticker) is seen by a special tracking camera built into
the device. The user directs the mouse arrow by slight head movements,
and "dwells" or rests momentarily to make a selection (akin
to a mouse click).
The new system was so well received that in March, Prentke Romich
announced that three more of its machines the SpringBoard, Vantage
and Pathfinder will now include a built-in Tracker as an option.
Including the Tracker adds $795 to the regular price.
Portability and Power
Another trend enables users to interact with or operate their
personal computers via their AAC devices, or to have wireless access
to the Internet.
Examples: Several Words+ machines offer wireless capability letting
users get into the Web from up to 400 feet away from a cable/DSL router.
DynaVoxs new Series 4 gives users access to Windows-based computers
with their devices.
"If youre in a wheelchair, you can just get within a visible
distance of your computer and actually run your computer with the
DynaWrite itself or any DynaVox speech-generating device. That was
a feature that people wanted," Carter said.
 |
The DynaWrite by DynaVox
was inspired by people with ALS. |
Many machines already provide "environmental control"
the ability to operate household appliances like lights or TV sets
through the device.
 |
|
|
Handheld devices like the ChatPC by Saltillo are popular. |
|
Also gaining popularity are small, handheld devices built on PDA (personal
digital system) platforms. Some examples include the Say-it! SAM by
Words+, the Palmtop by Enkidu, the ChatPC by Saltillo, and a device
by RJ Cooper thats in the developmental stages.
These smaller devices have plenty of useful features such as word
and phrase prediction. Most of them cant accommodate switches, but
they make it easy to take your conversation on the road.
Customers have also asked the industry to extend battery power in
AAC devices.
"Youll see a lot of the companies are now offering wheelchair
power options. The device can be plugged right into their wheelchair
battery. Instead of having eight hours of communication, they can
have three days of constant power," Standal said.
Other companies offer the ability to use the wheelchair joystick
or head array setup as the input method for the AAC device, he said.
Certain devices boast the ability to handle just about anything they
encounter, be it liquid or gravity.
Words+ says its Freedom 2000 Toughbook machines are "ruggedized":
They usually still function after being dropped from about 3 feet
onto a solid surface. They also can support wireless Internet access.
Thats also the story with Words+ TuffTalker Convertible, a laptop-style
device that converts into a portable touch screen. (Medicare funding
approval for this device was pending at press time.)
Talking With Your Own Voice
Banking your own voice for later use is no longer a futuristic dream
many people are doing it now.
Most personal computers that use common operating systems can make
a recording of your voice and store it as a digital file. Then, you
can upload the file and play it back on some AAC devices, such as
certain models from Assistive Technology Inc., DynaVox, Words+ and
Zygo, Standal said.
For example, more recent editions of Windows can make a recording
with the sound recorder located in the accessories file.
Clients who have banked their own voices find it very gratifying,
as do their family members, Standal said.
"It means so much to them and to their loved ones when they
can actually tell someone I love you with their natural voice. Or
if theyre mad, telling someone get away from me with that intensity
in their voice which a computer just cant duplicate," Standal
said.
A greater variety of computer-generated voices is also available
across various AAC brands, meaning a larger range of ages and a choice
of genders.
For example, on the Link Plus by Assistive Technology Inc. six languages
come standard. Words+ uses AT&Ts Natural Voices, with voices
sampled from real speech known for its realistic sound. DynaVox developed
its own brand called VeriVox, based on recordings of actual human
voices, Carter said.
Better, Faster Cheaper?
The future will likely include AAC devices that can operate completely
wirelessly and can use Internet-enabled wireless networks. Machines
that work well with cell phones are another goal for the industry.
Rate enhancement improvements to help users create speech as quickly
as possible is also a target.
And, devices tailored to specific disabilities are also possible.
 |
| The Link Plus
by Assistive Technology Inc. offers a choice of voices and languages. |
"AAC devices have been fairly generic in the past. We see a
great opportunity to better meet the needs of augmented communicators
by creating products that take into account the clients age, physical
and cognitive abilities, diagnosis, etc.," said Carter.
AAC prices, which range from about $2,300 to $8,000, arent likely
to drop since companies need to stay in line with what Medicare and
insurance companies will reimburse.
Manufacturers specifically try to offer a choice of lower-cost machines
in the $2,000 range since thats what MDA will pay toward the cost
of an AAC device. Standal cited as an example his companys Link Plus
that sells for $2,400.
But no matter how high-tech and ooh-inspiring the machines are, those
who make a living selling AAC devices remind consumers not to take
on this purchase alone.
If possible, work with a speech-language pathologist whos up-to-date
with technology for augmentative communication, Standal said. Your
local MDA clinic and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association
are great first stops.
A team of experts that includes a physical therapist and an occupational
therapist is best. They can help you select a machine that you can
continue to use as your abilities change, said Zygos Weiss.
"Make sure it addresses all the issues," he said, "not
just the wow factor."
| For more on Access Unlimited read
the following articles: |
|
|
|
