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Vol. 9, No. 1 Winter 2001 |
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Closing the Gap: What's New?
by Michael Meyreles, ATP
New Castle County ATRC
Another year has passed and the annual trek to Closing the Gap (CTG) once again proved to be a must for finding out what is new and exciting in the world of assistive technology. CTG hosts a five-day conference focusing on computer technology for special education and rehabilitation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over 150 educational sessions and an exhibit floor containing over 100 vendors, CTG is a valuable resource for consumers, parents, educators, and rehabilitation professionals. This article will focus on what is new in the world of augmentative and alternative communication and computer applications.
Communication
Over the years, high-tech augmentative communication devices have evolved into slick machines that can do more than provide a voice for those who cannot communicate vocally. This year's selection is no different. At last year's CTG, The Great Talking Box Company had the prototype to the E-Talk, which was subsequently released during the year. The E-Talk is a small, dynamic display device that weighs approximately 2.2lbs. The dynamic display is a transflective monochrome screen, which allows for viewing in all lighting conditions. At this year's CTG, The Great Talking Box Company introduced the E-Talk-Color. It is slightly larger and heavier than the E-Talk. Both devices offer text-to-speech, using either DECtalk or Lernout & Hauspie's synthesized speech, and the capability of up to 128 minutes of digital recording time.
Another system that was introduced during the past year and was on display
at CTG is from Enkidu Research. Enkidu Research's Portable Impact
is a line of communication devices that are small and lightweight, making
them particularly well suited for mobile users. Three hardware versions,
the Palmtop, Handheld, and Tablet are available. The Palmtop is a small,
fully functional device that is the size of a Palm Pilot. The Handheld device
offers a larger screen and a keyboard. The Tablet has a full VGA(Video Graphics
Array) color touch screen and supports an external keyboard. All three Portable
Impact devices support multi-page symbol-based and text-based configurations
that can be designed on the device or created on a Windows PC with their
new PC Editor.
Assistive Technology, Inc. is phasing out their Freestyle Communication
system and replacing it with the Gemini. The Gemini is a repackaged
Macintosh PowerBook that offers more power and speed than its predecessor
(Freestyle). It is universally accessible allowing it to be used with various
methods of input including a touch screen, single switch, on-screen keyboard,
external keyboard, and any type of mouse emulating device.
One particularly impressive communication system,WordPower, is actually software that can be loaded on either the Dynavox family of products or Prentke Romich's Pathfinder and Liberator II. Designed by Nancy Inman, M.A.T., CCC-SLP, WordPower is a unique vocabulary design that combines the features of a core vocabulary, spelling and word prediction. WordPower takes advantage of the fact that a core vocabulary of 100 words accounts for 50% of spoken language.
Computer Products
Closing the Gap is always a launch pad for new computer products. This year, Intellitools, Don Johnston, Mayer Johnson and a host of other companies are marketing new and innovative products. One new product from Intellitools is Intellimathics. Intellimathics is designed to reinforce math concepts through the use of on-screen manipulatives. It can be an open-ended tool and be used in any number of ways or as a curriculum product designed to teach specific math skills. This product supports almost every area in math teaching. Topics such as shapes, geometry, classifying, probability, and fractions can be explored. It is also offers full auditory support and is accessible by mouse, switch and Intellikeys.
Don Johnston has re-engineered its Co:Writer product and has come up with Co:Writer4000. Co:Writer4000 now has a feature called FlexSpell. FlexSpell expands the word prediction choices to include words based on phonetic spellings. Another new feature is it offers color choices for the background and text, to support users with visual impairments or visual discrimination issues.
Mayer Johnson is redesigning its Boardmaker for Windows program. Though it will not be available until December 2000 or January 2001, a near complete version was on display at CTG. Upon its release, it will be coupled with Speaking Dynamically Pro for Windows. The new Boardmaker program has a new user interface and will offer easier search capabilities. It will also allow for easier creation of personalized symbols.
TextHelp is offering a product that is fully integrated into Microsoft Word 2000 as an additional toolbar. WordSmith offers many of the same features as Kurzweil 3000, such as text reading, talking spellchecker, word prediction and the ability to scan and read any paper document directly into Word 2000. Its pronunciation utility includes an on-screen mouth depicting synchronized lip movements as the word is pronounced.
Applied Human Factors, known for its Reach Interface, and on-screen keyboard with many other features, has created a scan utility called ScanBuddy. It is a full screen-scanning program that uses a grid system to zero in on the desired object faster. Once the mouse has been positioned at the proper location the user can choose from a variety of mouse button and other options.
Unique Logic and Technology has developed a new and different product
called Play Attention. Play Attention helps teach students to control
their attentive state in real time using a video game format to provide
feedback. This system features a special helmet with built in sensors that
measures the brain waves associated with focus and cognitive processing.
The interface unit translates the brain waves so students can control objects
on the computer screen through attention alone.
This article could not possibly contain every new product featured at Closing the Gap. For a complete rundown of the conference and a list of attending vendors please visit the Closing the Gap web site at www.closingthegap.com. Please contact your local ATRC for information regarding any questions you may have related to disabilities and assistive technology.
