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Feb. 15, 2001
Spotlight
Connecting Special Kids with Assistive Technologies
Here's a quick look at companies that specialize in learning, sensory, and mobility devices for special education students.
Feb. 15, 2001By: Kristin Foster
Whether you're looking for a text-to-speech device, a screen reader, or other helpful tools, there are plenty to choose from. Plus, with technology advancements such as digitized speech and pictures, recent offerings are even more engaging than before. Special education teachers that we've talked to note that these learning products are lighter and more portable, less expensive, easier to operate, and perform across platforms-making them ideal for home and school use.
AbleNet's selection of products includes communication aids such as the TalkTrac Communicator, a wristband and tape recorder in one, as well as timers, switches, and infrared remotes to help disabled students communicate more easily. Books, toys, and literacy kits also are available at the Web site.
AbleNet, 1081 Tenth Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414; (800) 322-0956
Specializing in hardware for students of varying abilities, Assistive Technology, Inc., offers LINK, a talking keyboard that features eight voices and 64 pages of text storage; Freestyle, a tablet computer; and Companion, a self-guided authoring tool for parents and teachers to customize lessons. LINK and Freestyle are both available for rental.
Assistive Technology, Inc., 7 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02459; (800) 793-9227
Dragon Systems offers a suite of speech recognition products. Using Dragon NaturallySpeaking Essentials, kids can send e-mail and surf the Net without ever touching a keyboard. The new version of the program lets users give voice-activated commands for word processing and text editing.
Dragon Systems, Inc., 320 Nevada St., Newton, MA 02460; (800) 437-2466
Though it has expanded its market base, Edmark continues to manufacture hardware and software for special education needs, including interactive software for language development (Visual Voice Tools and SpeechViewer III) and tools for touch-sensitive computing (TouchFree Switch and TouchWindow).
Edmark Corporation, P.O. Box 97021, Redmond, WA 98073; (800) 362-2890
The five-part Take N' Talk Series from Enabling Devices offers communication tools for both single users and groups, including interactive games and animated toys that encourage verbal and sensory skills. The company also offers vibrating and flashing pagers for the hearing impaired.
Enabling Devices, 385 Warburton Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706; (800) 832-8697
The Blind/Low Vision Group of Freedom Scientific distributes technology for the visually impaired. Software includes the VERA reading machine; Braille Lite; and Braille 'n Speak, which can store up to 2,500 pages of Braille information.
Freedom Scientific, 11800 31st Ct. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33716; (800) 444-4443
The Great Talking Box Company offers several speech devices. EasyTalk is a lightweight (2.1 pounds) communication device with up to 54 minutes of high-quality digitized recording. The DigiCom 2000 allows users to produce high-quality recordings up to 142 minutes. The e-talk is a screen picture-based device that features text-to-speech communication and can be fully switch operated.
Great Talking Box Company, 2245 Fortune Dr., Ste. A, San Jose, CA 95135; (877) 275-4482
At the Laureate Learning Systems Web site, parents and special needs professionals can select language development software created by speech-language pathologists and conduct searches for related language learning products.
Laureate Learning, 110 E. Spring St., Winooski, VT 05404; (800) 562-6801
The Early Learning Series> from Marblesoft includes a suite of software learning activities geared for special needs students with features such as optional switch control, simple graphics, and speech assistance. Products are compatible with TouchWindow, PowerPad, and IntelliKeys hardware.
Marblesoft, 12301 Central Ave. NE, Ste. 205, Blaine, MN 55434; (612) 755-1402
Students who struggle with oral or written communication can use the text-to-speech functions in Perfect Solutions' Laser PC6 keyboard device, which speaks as the user types or operates the spell checker. Other tools include a calculator, homework calendar, and word processor. The 2.5-pound unit can be used with a PC keyboard and qualifies for Title I funds.
Perfect Solutions, 15950 Schweizer Ct., Palm Beach, FL 33414; (800) 726-7086
Prentke Romich Company offers high-end speech facilitation products, including Pathfinder>, a communication tool that features a static keyboard and a color dynamic display and comes set up with vocabulary, pictures, computer keyboard emulation, and infrared controls. Also available is ChatBox, a programmable speech device that couples images with vocal output.
Prentke Romich, 1022 Heyl Rd., Wooster, OH 44691; (800) 262-1984
For kid computer users who have difficulty operating a mouse or keyboard, Simtech Publications has designed switch-accessible software. Titles include Cause & Effect Sights & Sounds, Switch Kids, and New Frog & Fly, an animated switch training program.
Simtech Publications, P.O. Box 1528, Litchfield, CT 06759; (860) 567-1173
Communication devices from Super Duper Publications include interactive stories for younger students and social skills stories for older students, both accompanied by software graphics tools for creating worksheets and journals. The site also sells a range of print materials, games, and toys for special educators.
Super Duper Publications, P.O. Box 24997, Greenville, SC 29166; (800) 277-8737
At the Technology For Education Web site, visitors can search by category, vendor, or product name for hundreds of subject-specific assistive tools. Switch devices for severely disabled users also are available.
Technology For Education, Inc., 7328 Braden Tr., Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076; (800)370-0047
ZYGO markets a wide range of products that aid speech production, including the Optimist II, a handheld personal computer that features an audio amplifier/speaker module for loud, clear output; and Polyana, a text-to-speech Windows CE device. Other offerings include head pointers, laser pointers, switches, and mounting systems.
ZYGO Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 1008, Portland, OR 97207; (800) 234-6006
Kristin Foster is assistant editor of T&L.
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