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

Margaret Cotts wrote:

I really like the idea of an Ubuntu accessibility build, portable or
not. Is the idea to keep your accessibility software on a usb drive
that you take around with you and use in whatever pc you need to use?

Its a great idea, though obviously not as useful for those that are
immobile and unlikely to use more than one machine.

I agree whole-heartedly with what Margaret said about AAC assessment.
One piece of software/hardware wont meet everyone's needs, though it
seems that there is a shortage of low cost software resources for
therapists to put together AAC solutions that suit a patient.

Now we're well into that familiar area of hypothesis, but perhaps an
accessibility build of Ubuntu with appropriate software could be
thought of as a tool for therapists to configure to the needs of their
patient. Once configured appropriately it becomes a powerful starting
point that has the benefit of being tailored suitable.

Now I seem to have drifted well off the map, but my girlfriend is a
speech therapist and she's always complaining about a lack of good
tools in this sort of vein.

Stephen Emslie

> Margaret Cotts wrote:
>> 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

On 10/5/07, Simon Judge <simon.judge at nhs.net> wrote:
> 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
> 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/
>
>
>
> 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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