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Vol. 5, No. 1 Jan/Feb 1997 |
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What's New at Closing the Gap
by Ed Salisbury, AT Specialist
Each year Closing the Gap hosts a five-day conference focusing on computer technology for special education and rehabilitation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With almost 300 educational sessions and an exhibit floor containing over 80 vendors, Closing the Gap is a valuable resource for consumers, parents, educators, and rehabilitation professionals. Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to take five days out of their busy schedule for a trip to Minneapolis. For those unable to attend, here are highlights of new assistive technology products now available.
For Communication: The VoicePal Plus is a ten message introductory communication device from Adaptivation with a total recording time of 90 seconds. The VoicePal Plus can be accessed using direct selection via the membrane keypad or external switches, as well as by single switch auditory scanning. Other features include adjustable response rate, adjustable scan rate, and reliance on standard AA batteries (included).
Probably the most impressive new augmentative communication system would have to be the Freestyle and Knowledge Navigator from Assistive Technology, Inc. The Freestyle is a portable Power Macintosh more closely resembling a communication device than a computer. Its built-in features include a 10.4" active matrix touch sensitive display, internal 6X CD-ROM drive, universal infrared transmitter, 16 MB of memory, a 750 MB hard drive, and ports to attach a keyboard and mouse. Freestyle will run all popular Macintosh augmentative communication software like the Dynavox 2 software and Speaking Dynamically. Knowledge Navigator is an authoring system designed to allow parents, teachers, and therapists to create environments for augmentative communication, environmental control, education, and software access. For the non-programmer, pre-made applications created by Knowledge Navigator are available.
For Computer Access: Bubbles from Equal Access Computer Technology are colorful touch sensitive switches with an adjustable force setting. They can be set to activate at the slightest touch or require an amount of force determined by the setting of the sensitivity dial.
The Visual KeyboardTM from Adaptive Computer Systems, Inc. is an on-screen, customizable virtual keyboard allowing a person to access any Windows 95 application using a mouse, trackball, Touch Window or any other mouse emulation device. Other features include voice output (for PCs equipped with sound cards), scanning, abbreviation expansion, and word completion.
The Darci Card with Morse Plus from the Darci Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering is a PCMCIA card for PCs running DOS, Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 that permits access to the computer via Morse Code input. A PCMCIA card is a credit card sized peripheral compatible with computers that have a PCMCIA slot (usually laptops). An appropriate interface cable is chosen when the card is purchased for use with a mouse, joystick, or switches. Audio feedback is provided for PCs equipped with sound cards. Because PCMCIA cards are a combination of hardware and software, the Morse Code input is completely transparent and is compatible with all software applications.
The Discover Series from Don Johnston features products for those who can take advantage of only certain features of this company's Ke:nx keyboard emulator. The Discover: SwitchTM simply plugs into the Macintosh ADB port and instantly allows the student to scan a variety of on-screen keyboards. The Discover: ScreenTM software allows custom on-screen virtual keyboards to be created and accessed via mouse or mouse emulation device. This product is similar to the Visual KeyboardTM. The Discover: BoardTM is an expanded keyboard that plugs directly into the Macintosh ADB port. This keyboard comes with ready-to-use overlays as well as the ability for custom keyboard overlays to be created.
The HeadMouse for Portables from Origin Instruments offers all of the features of the full size HeadMouse in a compact package for use on laptop computers. The HeadMouse translates a person's head movement into mouse movement using a small reflective dot worn on the forehead. The HeadMouse and HeadMouse for Portables can be used on PCs or Macintosh Computers. These products are ideal for accessing on-screen virtual keyboards like the Visual KeyboardTM and the Discover: BoardTM for people with limited use of their hands.
Two new products are available in the area of eye tracking technology. These devices track eye movement as a means of mouse emulation for computer access, environmental control, and augmentative communication. Look forward to more information coming soon on the EyeMouse from Adaptive Computer Systems, and the EyeWare Series from Assistive Technology, Inc.
For People with Visual Impairments: The Aladdin Series of CCTVs from Telesensory magnify any printed material that is placed on the x-y table on their built-in monitors. There is no need to refocus these CCTVs for varying levels of magnification. The Aladdins also include a unique lever control for manipulating the x-y table. With this control, the x and y movement of the book or document can be adjusted to various friction levels or locked completely.
The Omni 3000 from Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. is a computerized reading system for PCs. Any book, document, or newspaper or magazine article can be scanned into the computer for immediate reading. The reading software utilizes the computer's audio card to provide realistic speech output. For people with reading difficulties, the Omni 3000 provides extensive control over speech rate and highlights the printed material on the computer screen as it is read. A unique feature of the Omni 3000 is its ability to retain graphics as well as text from the document for magnification on the computer screen.
Atlas Speaks and Strider from Arkenstone are two unique orientation devices for people with visual impairments. Atlas Speaks is a talking map program for PCs. Strider uses the Atlas Speaks software on a laptop computer coupled with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to keep a person who is blind on a predetermined path. Strider can also be used to notify a person of his or her location with a surprising level of accuracy.
For People with Cognitive Disabilities: The ULTimate ReaderTM and ULTimate Caption WorksTM are two exciting new products from Universal Learning Technology. The ULTimate ReaderTM is an advanced literacy development system designed to increase reading fluency and enhance writing development. The ULTimate ReaderTM can provide verbal feedback of what the person is typing or can be used to read books on disk and other files in text format. ULTimate CaptionWorksTM is software for use on a Macintosh equipped with a video card. This software makes it possible for any video to be open captioned for a person who is deaf.
The NeuroPageÆ from Hersh & Treadgold, Inc. is not new but deserves a mention anyway. The NeuroPageÆ allows a person with a memory disability, his/her employer, caregiver, etc. to program reminders for the day into a computer. The computer uses a standard paging service to alert the individual, who is wearing an alphanumeric pager, of pre-programmed events ranging from taking medicine to meetings and appointments.
For Vocational Assessment and Training: PictureCoach and WorkSight from Meeting the Challenge, Inc. are software programs for people with cognitive disabilities who want to work or who are working already. PictureCoach is an interactive multimedia software training system for PCs. It uses live video, pictures, and sound to present training tasks in a cost effective manner that allows for self pacing. PictureCoach is customizable for individual training needs. WorkSight is a multimedia career interest tool for people with significant cognitive challenges. Because no reading or writing is required, the test can be taken without the assistance or input of a rehabilitation professional.
Community Visions from NorthWind Interactive Technology is a CD-ROM multimedia software package designed to train employment placement specialists in assessment, job development, and job coaching.
For Education: The Mighty Math Series from Edmark Software is a series of six math software programs for grades K-10. This software uses exciting graphics to make learning fun. Children learn everything from addition and subtraction to algebra and geometry. Puzzles and activities reinforce mathematical concepts.
AlphaSmart Pro from Intelligent Peripheral Devices, Inc. is a note-taking and word processing tool for people with visual impairments or writing difficulties. Typed text can be edited within the AlphaSmart Pro, or can be quickly and easily uploaded to a Macintosh or PC. This is a possible alternative for students who may otherwise require a laptop computer for note-taking. It is also ideal for classrooms with only one or two computers. Students can compose their work on the AlphaSmart Pro and upload it when the computer is free. This product was introduced last year but deserves a second mention.
For more information on any of the above listed products, contact the ATRC in your county.
