Choosing Christmas gifts for that special someone can sometimes be an intimidating task. The following information on gadgets and high-tech gifts will may furnish a few ideas for holiday shoppers. Some gifts are simply for fun, others are more practical.

USEFUL OR FUN GADGETS

Those who simply hate to fight the shopping crowds, have difficulty with transportation or prefer to shop in the privacy of home, may want to consider using mail order catalogs. For instance, Brookstone, a nationwide chain that offers a whole store full of gadgets and gizmos, also provides a comprehensive catalog. The items are fun and some can be useful to people with disabilities. For example, some of Brookstone's items pictured here are:

• The voice command travel alarm ($75) allows the tired traveler the luxury of programming wake up times by voice rather than fiddling with hand controls.
  
  
• A lightweight hair dryer that fits in the palm of your hand ($25) makes it easier for traveling and for people who are unable to lift heavier, bulkier dryers.
  
  
• The wireless stereo speaker system ($200) is a big advantage for anyone who hates to mess with wiring.
  
  
• A fully automatic money counter and wrapper ($35) is a fast way to wrap extra change.
  
  
• A talking chess game ($130) is fun for everyone who likes the game -- you move a piece and the programmed voice makes comments to improve your game.
  
  
• Booster cables ($30) takes the guesswork and worry out of jump starting dead car batteries. Simply plug this cable into each auto's cigarette lighter.
  
  
• A power toothbrush ($130) makes personal grooming easier.
  
  
• The hands-free cellular phone kit ($125) with microphone and speaker offer convenience and safety.
  
  
• Star Trek phaser universal remote control ($40) sounds just like Captain Kirk's phaser gun when the TV channels are changed or the VCR is used.
  
  
• A hand-saver bagel slicer ($30) allows easy cutting by simply pushing down on the "guillotine."

People with grasping difficulties may also enjoy Brookstone's easy-grip kitchen and household items. Many of its stores carry jar openers, easy-turn can openers, big handled eating utensils, a quality pen that forms to individual grips as well as writes at any angle (even upside down) and much more.

To find the nearest Brookstone store or to receive a free catalog, call (800) 846-3000. For those interested in other practical gadgets developed especially to assist in independent lifestyles, call for free catalogs from Maddak Inc., (201) 628-7600; North Coast Medical, (800) 821-9319; adaptAbility, (800) 266-8856; MOM's Home Healthcare, (800) 232-7443; Smith and Nephew, (800) 558-8633; and J.C. Penny's Special Needs, (800) 709-5777.

Chair packs and other wheelchair accessories also make useful gifts for people with disabilities. For instance, Diestco Manufacturing Company's Buddy System provides a cupholder, a clipboard/tray for eating or writing, and a utility pouch for about $35. Call (800) 795-2392 for information on this and other trays, canopies, covers and bags.

HIGH-TECH GIFTS

Electronic products are by far the most requested items on holiday "wish lists" of both kids and adults. They range from radios, TVs, computers and/or accessories, to CDs, camcorders, video telephones, the latest video game players, home security systems, Internet TV units and much more. With literally thousands of such products on the market, we'll focus on a few of the products of particular relevance to people with neuromuscular diseases.

Video Games Controlled By The Mind

The Other 90% Technologies, Inc. makes MindDrive, a unique entertainment and educational product for home computers that can be run by the mind. Used by both adults and children, MindDrive operates through the use of a small cuff that slips on the finger to receive and interpret bio-electric signals from the brain and translates them into software application commands.

One of its games, MindSkier, lets the player ski and slalom downhill using only the mind to control movement. Other games available are MindBowling, PinballMind and MindMusic. The MindDrive hardware and training software is $130, and individual games range in price from $25 to $35. Call (888) 329-9899 or visit www.other90.com for more information.

Hands Free Phone System

Ameriphone offers a phone that allows virtually all calling and answering functions by remote control through use of either an air switch or a pillow switch. Optional equipment includes a headset with microphone for privacy and/or a lapel microphone to amplify sounds for those with weak voices. Base price is $299, and optional equipment such as the headset sells for $99. For more information, contact Ameriphone at (800) 874-3005.

Caller ID That Speaks

A new product on the market is the CIDney Talking Caller ID from Full Life Products. People with limited mobility can now avoid hurried or potentially dangerous trips to the phone to view digital displays of incoming calls. CIDney is a stand alone unit that logs callers numbers and verbally announces the name and/or number of the caller over its built in speaker. CIDney also logs caller names, numbers and call times. Four models offer such features as two-line capability, out-going messages, call waiting compatibility and more. The unit installs in seconds, never needs batteries and has a base price of $59.95. For more information, call (800) 400-1540.

Environmental Control Units

An environmental control unit (ECU) allows people with disabilities greater independence than ever before. With an ECU, users can turn on radios, TVs, lights, electrical appliances, door openers, telephones, thermostats and electric beds. Sophisticated versions can even be programmed to turn on lights at specific times, control word processing and database programs on computers, detect the presence of intruders and more.

The more simple ECUs such as the X-10 are radio-activated and can be found at Radio Shack or many other electronic stores. Its hand-held transmitter works similarly to remote control units for televisions. This transmitter sells for about $50 and every appliance you'd like to control (fans, lights, etc.) needs a plug-in unit at about $15 each.

The more sophisticated ECUs are often voice activated with many programmed to be used from personal computers. These include Teledyne Brown Engineering's Imperium 200H that sells for about $2,800 (a switch-activated ECU), (800) 944-8002; and Madenta Communication's PROXi for about $2,500 (a computer-activated ECU - computer not included), (403) 450-8926.

Prices can go as high as $9,000 for units such as Multimedia Designs' Max. However, this price includes a powerful Packard Bell or Gateway 2000 computer and software, a speaker system, CD-ROM and more. The Max provides voice control of virtually everything in a home or office, such as 256 different lights and electrical appliances, audio-video equipment, faxes, answering machines, remote cameras, Internet access, speech-to-text dictation in any Microsoft Windows word processor and more. For more information on the Max, call (813) 786-3317.

Pocket Computer With Speech Output

Toshiba Computers recently released the Toshiba Libretto 50CT, a 1.85-pound, Windows 95-based computer with built-in sound. About the size of a videotape, the Libretto costs less than $2,000. This compact computer might benefit those who have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) or anyone with speaking difficulties, especially when combined with speech programs. Gus Communications Inc. offers several software-based speech solutions that work well with the Libretto. For more information on the Libretto 50CT or for the location of a nearby dealer, call (800) 631-3811. Gus Communications Inc. can be reached at (360) 715-8580.

Internet TV

Sony's Web TV allows easy access to the Internet and e-mail on any standard television through a device the size of a cable box.. A unique feature of Web TV is that Sony includes a magazine, What's On The Web, that lists Web sites by category and assigns them four-digit code numbers. To access a particular site, simply click on the magazine's Web site and enter the code. It's an easy way to surf the net for those intimidated by technology. Web TV costs about $350, service charges are $20 per month and a recommended wireless keyboard is sold separately for $80. Call (800) 222-7669 or visit www.sel.sony.com for more information.

Watch That Holds Appointments

People who like to store personal appointments and scheduling information on their PCs can now carry the information in their watch. The Timex Data Link watch will store appointments, phone numbers, anniversaries, alarms, time settings and to-do lists from the Microsoft software program that's included with the watch. Downloading the information is quick and easy. An IBM-compatible computer and Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher are needed to use the watch. The Data Link watch is also compatible with the calendar software, Microsoft Schedule+ for Windows 95. Priced at about $130, the watch is water-resistant, comes with Indiglo night-light and is available in three strap colors. For the location of a nearby dealer, call (800) 367-8463 or visit www.timex.com.

Instant Home Theater

Strictly for fun is RCA's entry-level home theater system. This "home theater in a box" is a remote controlled, 190-watt AM/FM stereo audio/video receiver that includes Dolby Pro Logic Surround circuitry. It's designed to attach to a TV and allows connection of up to five audio and two video sources with left, right, center, rear and subwoofer speakers and all the necessary wiring. The system (model RP-9950) is priced at about $430. For more information, call (800) 336-1900.

Video Telephones

Video telephone technology is coming up to speed with ViaTV's Executive Phone VC-200. Instead of connecting to a television like most other video telephones on the market, the VC-200 is a stand-alone unit. It's a high-tech looking telephone that incorporates a color camera and a 4-inch color LCD screen. The Executive Phone VC-200 works via a telephone line and an AC power outlet. Also included is a full-function speaker phone and a 500-number speed dialer. It's compatible with enhanced phone services such as Caller ID and Call Waiting Caller ID. The VC-200 sells for about $725. Another model (VC-100) is available for about $500. However, it must be connected to a TV and another phone and the price doesn't include these items. For more information, call toll-free (888) VIEW8X8.

For Kids

The Nintendo 64 video game system is expected to be one of the hottest holiday gifts this year. This 64-bit, cartridge-based system makes playing video games a quick-paced and realistic experience. The game console and controller sells for about $200 and individual video games sell for $60 to $70. They can be found at Toys 'R Us and many electronic stores. For more information, call (800) 255-3700.

The Little Tikes Company now makes a wheelchair-accessible Patio Playhouse. Designed for children ages 2 to 6, this unit features an exterior wall that's hinged to swing out for wheelchair access. When open, it reveals a flat, no-step opening to a pretend kitchen complete with stove, sink, storage cabinet and bay window. Setup is as easy as snapping together the large pieces. The price is $280 and it can be found at most Toys 'R Us stores.