Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Newsletter A Publication for Local Branches of Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Volume 5, Issue 1 - Spring, 2003 Welcome Back! The Newsletter is back, and has a new look! As always, we will be featuring products from the Lending Library's inventory, and information about local branches. If you have ideas for the newsletter or items to contribute, please contact Sandra McNally at 215-204-3370, or smcnally@temple.edu. New AAC Devices in the Lending Library Mercury Mercury is a Windows XP-Based augmentative and alternative (AAC) communication device that uses Speaking Dynamically(tm) Pro and Boardmaker(tm) from Mayer-Johnson, Inc. The Mercury can be used with a variety of input methods, including touchscreen, switch, joystick, speech, on-screen keyboard, external keyboard and mouse or alternative pointer. Built-in infrared capabilities enable the Mercury to be used as an environmental control unit as well as an AAC device. Display: 12" active matrix color LCD. Memory: 256 MB RAM. Processor: 400 MHz Intel(r) Celeron(r). Hard Drive: 10 GB. CD-ROM: 24x. Operating System: Windows(r) XP. Dimensions: 12" (w) x 9.15" (h) x 1.75" (d). Weight: 6.5 pounds. Inventory code: AC-MERCURY; cost: $8,621.00. Assistive Technology, Inc.; www.assistivetech.com. DynaWrite DynaWrite lets you "type and talk". Anyone familiar with a standard computer keyboard can use the device quickly and easily. DynaWrite can be accessed using a variety of selection methods. The device is appropriate for ambulatory and non-ambulatory individuals and its screen can be viewed easily indoors and out. With its built-in environmental control unit, DynaWrite lets the augmented communicator take control of his or her physical surroundings. An integrated help menu gives communicators clear and concise answers to their questions. DynaWrite's function keys activate features common to all DynaVox devices. There are several keyboard layouts for people who use scanning access methods. Features include digitized speech capabilities, text-editing capabilities and a personal reminders menu. Size: 12.40" x 9.10" x 3.22". Weight: 2.16 lbs. Inventory code: AC-DWR. Cost: $3,295.00. Scan Package for DynaWrite: AC-DWR-SCAN; cost: $600.00. DynaVox: 888-697-7332; e-mail: sales@dynavoxsys.com; www.dynavoxsys.com. NOTE: If you require access via scanning, you must request BOTH products. Voice-in-a-Box Voice-in-a-Box is a basic communication device that has 16 messages, with 3.75 seconds for each message. It is easy to record and use, never loses its messages, and is instantly re-recordable. The manufacturer states that it is rugged, and built to take a beating! Inventory code: AC-VB16; cost: $195.00. Frame Technologies: 920-869-2979, e-mail: cframe@netnet.net; www.frame-tech.com. MicroVoice The MicroVoice is a handheld AAC device that holds 16 messages, each 3.75 seconds long. It is powered by 4 AAA batteries, and has a clear plastic pocket that makes changing overlays easy. It is portable, and designed for ambulatory persons as a primary or backup system. Inventory code: AC-MVOICE16. Cost: $195.00. There is also a 6 level MicroVoice with 24 messages per level. Inventory code: AC-MVOICE6/24. Cost: $389.00. Frame Technologies: 920-869-2979, e-mail: cframe@netnet.net; www.frame-tech.com Turn n' Talk The Turn n' Talk mimics a dynamic display device by utilizing automatic optical level changing. When the user turns the page the device automatically changes to the appropriate level. It can also be used to create a fully programmable talking book for young children or students with learning disabilities. Each of the six levels consists of two pages of 24 messages each. The total recording time is 16 minutes. Inventory code: AC-TRNTALK. Cost: $449.00. Frame Technologies: 920-869-2979, e-mail: cframe@netnet.net; www.frame-tech.com. Voice-in-a-Box 6 Voice-in-a-Box 6 is an AAC device in a preschool style case designed for durability. There are 6 levels of messages and 16 messages per level, with 9.3 seconds for each message. It is easy to switch between levels, record, and play messages. The preschool cases allow easy-to-change overlays to be color-coded to levels. It is powered by 4 AA batteries. Inventory code: AC-VB6/16. Cost: $449.00. There is also a Voice-in-a-Box 6/36 that has all of the same features, but with 6 levels of messages and 36 messages per level. Inventory code: AC-VB6/36. Cost: $649.00. Frame Technologies, 920-869-2979, e-mail: cframe @netnet.net; www.frame-tech.com. SpringBoard SpringBoard is a digitized speech output, dynamic display device designed to be an effective communication aid for a wide range of users. There is a 7.5" full color, touch-screen display that can be accessed via direct selection, single and dual switch scanning, joystick and infrared head pointing. There are options for key sizes and locations ranging from large keys in basic 4-key arrangements, up to 8, 15 and 32-key displays. Other standard features are auditory prompts, icon prediction and predictive selection. Inventory code: AC-SB (SpringBoard Evaluation Package). Cost: $3,245.00. Prentke Romich Company: 800-262-1933; www.prentrom.com. Discontinued Items: The AlphaTalker II, DeltaTalker, and SideKick have been discontinued by Prentke Romich Company (PRC). PRC has recently released the AlphaTalker III, which will be available soon from the Lending Library. The AlphaTalker III will be featured in a future newsletter. NOTE: We are currently developing a process for the redistribution of AT devices in the inventory that are no longer sold or supported. For more information, contact Zona Jackson, Project Assistant (215-204-4914, or atlend@temple.edu). Here's a tip: If a device is being shipped to a large facility (i.e. nursing home, hospital), SPECIFY THE EXACT ROOM, LOCATION, and/or PERSON to whom the device should be delivered. Also indicate if the facility closes before 5 pm. Remember: delays in shipping or pick up mean delays for Pennsylvanians with disabilities that need assistive technology! Websites of Interest: http://www.portacom.bc.ca/ - Portacom System products for people who use low-tech picture based AAC systems. The products are designed by a mom, tested by children and adults, and made from high quality, fully washable, water-resistant fabrics. www.bindependent.com - this website focuses primarily on issues for people with brain injuries, but there is a catalog of general AT that could be used by people with other types of disabilities. www.epvatech.org - the assistive technology website of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. This information-packed website contains AT news articles, product reviews, tech resources, and much more. Please send us your favorite AT websites. We're always on the lookout for new ones! New Branches: Bennetts Valley Senior Center 13 Kennedy Street, PO Box 178 Byrnedale, PA 15827 Contact: Mike Burke - 814-787-7888 (v); 814-787-8898 (fax) Serve: All - County: Elk Hours: M, T, Th 8:00-4:00 pm Brockway Senior Center 1633 Main Street, Brockway, PA 15824 Contact: Dorothy Reed - 814-264-1719 (v) Serve: All - County: Jefferson Hours: M-F 9:30-3:00 pm Marywood University 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509 Contact: Christopher Moy - 570-340-6045 x2549 (v); 570-340-6028 (fax) Serve: All - County: Lackawanna Hours: M-F 8:00-4:30 pm - www.marywood.edu Bradford Area Public Library 67 West Washington Street, Bradford, PA 16701 Contact: Linda Newman - 814-362-6527 (v); 814-362-4168 (fax) Serve: All - County: McKean Hours: M&W 10:00-8:00 pm; T, Th, F 10:00-6:00 pm, Sat. 10:00-5:00 pm - www.bradfordlibrary.org Smethport Area Jr/Sr High School 412 S. Mechanic Street, Smethport, PA 16749 Contact: Diane Smith - 814-887-5545 (v); 814-887-5546 (fax) Serve: All - County: McKean Hours: M-F 8:00-3:30 pm Frankie's Lighthouse 212 Cherry Lane Road, E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Contact: Nery Ortiz - 570-629-9116 (v); 570-629-9159 (fax) Serve: All - County: Monroe Hours: M-F 8:30-4:30 pm Interested in a product demonstration? Contact your Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) and ask if one can be arranged through the local vendor or sales representative. Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Institute on Disabilities Temple University 423 Ritter Hall Annex Philadelphia, PA 19122 Call toll-free: 877-PA AT LEND (voice/TTY) www.disabilities.temple.edu/atlend E-mail: atlend@temple.edu "For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible." Editor: Sandra McNally smcnally@temple.edu 215-204-3370 Next Issue: CCTVs