[oats-sig] FW: Open Source AAC (was RE: recommendations for AAC tablet devices)

RE an open source AAC system - Steve Lee is developing something along

See below for a response from RESNA (and my reply).  Seems an interesting
point - having a pendrive/live CD accessibility suite... Or an liveUbuntu
build just for accessibility. Henrik?! (-;

Cheers.

Simon

-----Original Message-----
From: Simon Judge 
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 9:03 AM
To: RESNA's Assistive Technology Forum
Subject: RE: Open Source AAC (was RE: recommendations for AAC tablet
devices)

It would be great to have an 'accessibility suite on a memory stick'
definitely!  Linux (e.g. Ubuntu) already do 'live CDs' where you can run the
OS off a CD.. And there are a range of good AT software solutions emerging
and avaliable for linux, so a 'live accessibility CD (or memory stick)'
which you could give someone for the PC for specific AT needs is not
impossible and would be useful I think.

I'll have a look at portableapps and feedback your comments to the OATS
group, thanks.

Cheers.

Simon

-----Original Message-----
From: RESNA's Assistive Technology Forum [mailto:AT-FORUM at LIST.RESNA.ORG] On
Behalf Of Kocsis
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:05 AM
To: AT-FORUM at LIST.RESNA.ORG
Subject: Re: Open Source AAC (was RE: recommendations for AAC tablet
devices)

Thanks Simon,
 I also believe that open source and portability are both as a big part of
the "next big thing" whatever it may be. Have you seen portable apps yet?
It's the open source version of U3 technology, which allows programs to be
stored & run from a USB drive to run on any PC without leaving a footprint
on the PC itself.

This is great for the portability of accessibility software and Win
accessibility settings, allowing a person to make any computer "their own"
without mucking things up for the next person. It originated as a way to
securely use a public machine without leaving any personal info behind, such
as passwords, browsing history or cache. Check out www.portableapps.com for
more info.

Thanks for the oatsoft info!

Best regards,
Ron

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

V-Karma Books
on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/y56mom
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Simon Judge wrote:
> RE an open source AAC system - Steve Lee is developing something along 
> these lines, it is in early stages at the moment and is funded by a 
> Mozilla grant, however initial info is at:
>
> http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/jambu/
>
> >From Steve:
> ------
> That definitely overlaps with Jambu's goals.
> Jambu is SVG based rather than HTML (both w3c standards) so is better 
> at graphics than text for now. Flexible input is a central long term 
> goal. as is portability (Im just starting on linux ). I would love to 
> see it running on a variety of devices.
> -----
>
> SAW is another open source product that can be used for AAC:
>
> http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/SpecialAccessToWindows/
>
> I, and a few others, believe that Open Source is the future... And 
> hopefully AT will get on board... If you are interested check out 
> www.oatsoft.org and join the mailing list. (-;
>
> 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 
> Words+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
>
> V-Karma Books
> on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/y56mom
> on eBay  http://myworld.ebay.com/v-karmabooks
>
> Home long distance for as low as 2.3 cents/minute?
> New mobile phone service with a FREE phone & up to $80 cash after 
> rebates? Check here!: http://grkocsis.ld.net/
>
>
>
> 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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