[oats-sig] FW: recommendations for AAC tablet devices

From the american resna list, with no prompting!

>From the american resna list, with no prompting! 

Cheers.

Simon

-----Original Message-----
From: RESNA's Assistive Technology Forum [mailto:AT-FORUM at LIST.RESNA.ORG] On
Behalf Of Kocsis
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:59 AM
To: AT-FORUM at LIST.RESNA.ORG
Subject: Re: recommendations for AAC tablet devices

Just a random thought here, but wouldn't it be interesting to see some type
of open source program for an HTML-based comm device using cascading style
sheets & variety of access options (USB ports,etc) and platforms (pc,
handheld, tablet, etc)?

What would it take to really make such a device "universal" - at least as
far as dynamic display devices go? perhaps a program that allows folks to
choose between text-based or icon based pages, vs text (a la 
Words+), though I think something as unique as dasher would be tough to
incorporate...

What do you think should go into an all-inclusive aug comm box? How 
about a clear silicone raised button overlay that you can see the screen 
icons through but still have button "feel appeal"? That might be a nice 
little product to design & manufacture, kind of a reverse keyguard. :)  
Any other fun ideas?

 From out in left field - Spokane, to be exact,
Ron

Ron Kocsis, OTR/L, ATP 
Kocsis Assistive Technology Services

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Margaret Cotts wrote:
> Hi Geoff-
> I think part of what was making me nervous about this question is it
sounds
> like the school district wants to have a hardware/software combo that they
> can hand out to students.
>
> I wanted to echo what Carrie said about providing the needs assessment
> first. When I provide an AAC evaluation, I provide an extensive needs
> evaluation before I even think about what device to show the individual.
> There are lots of different kinds of software which are "well-designed" in
> certain aspects, but don't necessarily meet the needs of the individual.
> Does the student need to use email and have internet access? Can the
student
> use a core vocabulary program? Which core vocabulary program works best
for
> the student? Do they need a symbol based program? Does the student do best
> using an eye gaze based system? Do they need a smaller, more portable
> system?
>
> I don't honestly believe you can find one piece of software that will meet
> the needs of the school district. 
>
> Margaret Cotts, MA, ATP
> The ALS Center at UCSF
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RESNA's Assistive Technology Forum [mailto:AT-FORUM at LIST.RESNA.ORG]
On
> Behalf Of Geoff Sittler
> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 8:30 AM
> To: AT-FORUM at LIST.RESNA.ORG
> Subject: recommendations for AAC tablet devices
>
>   I'm an OT working in the school system in Oregon and am looking at
> tablet/slate PCs that can be used as communication devices as alternatives
> to specialty built devices like the Mercury or DynaVox.  In an effort to
> decrease costs, I'm hoping that we could use hardware that is designed for
> the the general public and then install software for communication.
>    
>   I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on hardware/software that
> are well-designed and affordable (I know those things don't always go
> together, but I'm hoping someone might be able to help on this).
>    
>   
>   Thanks,
>   
>   Geoff Sittler
>   Occupational Therapist - NWRESD, Columbia County
>   Office: (503) 366-1715, x-236
>   Cell: (971) 678-6793
>   Fax: (503) 397-0796
>   800 Port Avenue
>   St. Helens, OR 97051
>   gsittler at nwresd.k12.or.us
>   www.nwresd.k12.or.us 
>   
>    
>    
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