TLC Spotlight - Communicator by SAJE Technology

Communicator

Wireless,Voice-Activated Telephone System

 

COMMUNICATOR offers a complete wireless, voice-activated telephone system that will connect your  

Windows XP computer. COMMUNICATOR is the perfect affordable solution for voice controlled
telephone needs. The headset can be worn, mounted or used with a SAJE speaker phone kit.

• No voice training
• Place a call by speaking a person's name or individual digits
• Use voice commands to pick up call waiting, access multiple lines, control volume and mute functionality, redial and much more (1)
• Connect to your contacts in your Windows XP address book, Microsoft Outlook or similar contact manager
• Use the headset as a microphone for your voice recognition software (2)
• Connect to any ability switch for "Wake up" activation of the system
• Available auditory feedback of all commands
• Freedom to answer and place calls up to 500 feet from the base station
• Available power supplies allow use of power from wall or wheelchair

Frequently asked questions

Q: What operating system does Communicator work with?
A: Communicator is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP.

Q: Does Communicator require a switch?
A: Yes, Communicator requires a switch to “wake up” the system and ready it for voice commands.
This keeps the user in control of when commands are issued, and extends the battery life when not
in use.

Q: What kind of switch is needed?
A: Any style of adaptive switch the user can operate which has a 1/8” plug output.

Q: How long do Communicator batteries last?
A: Standard Communicator batteries have a talk time of about 2 hours, a standby time of about 80
hours, and recharge time of 90 minutes. Extended life batteries have a talk time of about 8 hours, a standby time of up to 300 hours, and recharge time of about 6-7 hours.

Q: Do I have to use the batteries?

A: No, SAJE Technology offers power adaptors available to run the headset either from wall or a
wheelchair power.

Q: Is Communicator a Bluetooth device?

A: No, Communicator utilizes a 900MHz digital spread spectrum signal between the headset and
basestation.

Q: Do I have to wear the headset all the time?
A: No, SAJE Technology offers speakerphone kits, and other mounting options.

Q: What is the Communicator SPIDER?
A: The Communicator SPIDER uses the same technology as the Communicator headset, only
repackaged with individual connectors for the microphone input, speaker output, switch input, and
an optional connector for a standard wired telephone headset.

Q: Can I use Communicator for voice recognition software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking?
A: Yes, with additional software Communicator is an excellent voice recognition microphone.

Q: What range does Communicator have?
A: Communicator has a range of up to 500 feet from headset to base station.

Q: Are there monthly or reoccurring fees associated with using SAJE technology products?

A: There are no fees outside of your standard phone bill for using a SAJE technology device.

Q: Does Communicator work on a digital phone line?

A: Not directly. The standard Communicator supports an analog phone line typically found in a
residential home. SAJE Technology has adapters that allow the communicator to operate on a
digital phone line. Please contact us with the specific service provider of your phone service and
we can tell you which adapter you need.

What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!

APP Attack! Seize the Day

I know .... there are an endless array of To Do list apps out there. So which one is best?? That is hard to say. What are you looking for? How simple / complex do you need the app to be?

Seize the Day is a simple To do list app that allows you to track lists even without an Internet connection.

























Some of the other features include:

• Easily add, view, and organize your to-dos.
  
• Add notes or tags, set individual reminders or use daily reminders (list of all today's tasks) to keep on top of all your day's responsibilities.
• Add repeating tasks
  
• App provides auditory reminders

The best thing about this app - it is FREE! Try it out and see if it helps you remain organized.



Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on July 12th at our Ewing NJ office.

This is a new date because the first two sessions sold out! We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

A Final Graduation Story - Feel Good Friday

As June comes to a close, as with it graduation season, here is one more pretty amazing story to share.

Austin Whitney, 22, graduated from UC Berkeley this spring with a dual major in History and Political Science. The summer in between his graduation from high school and the start of his freshman year, Austin's spinal cord was severed at the hip in a car accident, resulting in paraplegia from the waist down.

Austin, clearly being a man of strong will and determination, began his freshman year on time and graduated in four years.

During his junior year, he began working with members of the Robotics and Human Engineering Lab, a research group at UC Berkley. They began working on developing exoskeletons or wearable robotics to enable Austin to walk during Berkley's graduation.
It was many, many months in the making, but Austin did walk on graduation day.

Read the full article here.

Check out this video. Share it with anyone aspiring to work in the field of engineering. Anything is possible.




Enjoy and Happy Friday!

TLC Spotlight - Keyguard for Apple Ipad

Keyguards are now available for Apple Ipad

The American company Lasered Pics is now making keyguards available for the iPad. Keyguards are available which conform to the shape of the standard iPad keyboard and special-purpose keyguards for Proloquo2Go, TapSpeak Choice and Speak It! are also available. All iPad keyguards are made from 1/8″ (0.3cm) thick clear acrylic and come with optional 1/16″ (0.15cm) bumpers which can raise the keyguard above the screen to prevent accidental touches.

Standard iPad keyboard guards come in both landscape and portrait orientations and will suit QWERTY, AZERTY and QWERTZ keyboard layouts.

Proloquo2Go keyguards are also available for both portrait and landscape orientations and keyguards can be ordered that suit all current Proloquo2Go options including standard and large toolbar sizes, and optionally “wide” mode. Tap Speak keyguards can be made to suit 2-56 items and also come in portrait and landscape orientations. Speak It doesn’t have any layout options available at the moment. Lasered Pics report they will be designing a keyguard to suit Proloquo2Go’s word prediction mode keyboard, and are also working on keyguards for additional AAC apps.

http://www.laseredpics.biz/servlet/the-2561/ipad-keyguard/Detail

What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!

APP Attack! Kno Textbook App

Are you looking for electronic textbooks? Well, you should check out the new Kno App!

















Kno now offers over 70,000 text books - some as much as 50% off the retail price! Simply download the books to your iPad and you are all set! No need to drag 50 lbs of textbooks with you anymore.

Plus, the Kno has the following features to meet many needs:

• Course Manager - Easily organize all your textbooks and materials in one place.
• Chapter preview - Simply hold down the chapter to visually navigate the pages.
• Highlights and Stickies - Highlight with the touch of a finger and create sticky notes.
• Zoom - use this to enlarge any pictures on the screen
• PDF Support - download and view any PDF document.

Do you want to see more? Check out this video from their website:

Textbooks for iPad by Kno from Kno on Vimeo.

Do you want to learn more about APPS? Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on July 12th at our Ewing NJ office. This is a new date because the first two sessions sold out! We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

Let your voice be heard! Disability Rights NJ Survey

The people at Disability Rights New Jersey need our input.

They are looking for feedback to help determine their priorities for the next three years.

According to the website:

Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ) is the state's designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities. DRNJ is a consumer-directed, non-profit agency that advocates for and advances the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities. In order to ensure that DRNJ's limited resources are used to address issues of importance to people with disabilities, we are seeking input from people with disabilities, their families, professionals, health care and service providers, and the general public to guide DRNJ in determining its priorities for the coming three years.

Please talk a minute and complete the survey.

Click HERE for the survey.

Let your voice be heard!

Graduation Season - Feel Good Friday

Tis the season for graduations, from preschool to college. This video is from last year, but the message is and will be relevant forever.

Eric Duquette's Salutitorian graduation speech was featured on ABC news. Enjoy and congratulations to all students who graduate this year.

Watch the video here.

Web 2.0 Wednesday! FlipSnack

Have you ever wanted to take your personal files and convert them into a flip book? This converted electronic file can then be inserted into your webpage as a flash widget.

Click HERE to check out an example.




Do you have a WEB 2.0 tool that you use? Write about it and be a guest contributor to our blog!

APP Attack! New Accessibility Features in iOS5- Custom Gestures!

Coming this fall is an update to the "operating system" of the iPad and iPhone. People don't think about operating systems, but they are essential to accessibility. They define the way we interact with programs, and the way the programs interact with us.

For instance, the famous "gestures" that people use on iPads and iPhones-- think of the "swipe" motion that people make to turn a page or move to the next set of icons. These gestures are defined by the operating system (the new one is called iOS5). But what if someone with a disability has trouble doing that gesture? In the fall, when iOS5 comes out, Apple will allow you to define your own gestures.

We will have to try it out ourselves to see how it really works, but here are some screen shots, and an AppleInsider blog entry.
link to AppleInsider blog entry


Do you want to learn more about APPS? Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on July 12th at our Ewing NJ office. This is a new date because the first two sessions sold out! We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

Get Outside and Bike! - Feel Good Fridays

I love to bike ride. I am lucky to live in an area of the state that is bike friendly and also offers a plethora of bike paths as a safe haven from "visiting summer drivers".

I have thought about how difficult it would be for me if I couldn't ride my bike; so when a colleague forwarded me this story, I had to write about it.

Rob Thompson is a young man who experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident. His father, Dave Thompson, built a tandem bike that could be part of Rob's road to recover (pun completely intended).


Read the full story here.

A Reminder from a Conversation - SETT and sliced bread

Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with a Child Study Team case manager.

A student on her caseload experienced a traumatic brain injury several years ago and has difficulty with both reading and written expression. Overall, the student's academic abilities are on a Kindergarten/ First Grade Level reads on a pre-primer level.

This student recently received a neurological exam in a clinical setting. The summary of the exam included findings regarding neurological functioning, as well as specific assistive technology recommendations. The specific assistive technology recommendation was to use Dragon Naturally Speaking to provide support for writing and note taking. The IEP team had a phone conference with the doctor who conducted the neurological exam, who contended that "Dragon Naturally Speaking is the only support this student will need."

The case manager asked me my opinion. I told her that without ever meeting the student, it would be impossible for me to say if DNS would be an appropriate support or not. I also told her that DNS does not provide a student with reading support.

Here is the punch line of this story:
She asked me if I had a "list of reading supports" that I could "recommend" for this student.

From here I started speaking with her about the SETT Framework by Joy Zabala.
It is critical that we as AT Specialists remind others about focusing on the student and feature matching BEFORE any tools are discussed. Child Study Team Members and families are looking for tools to support their students, and only want what is best for their students. They can easily get sucked into the spinning vortex of a "great piece of technology". We must be the voice of reason who helps the team take a deep breath before they go out and purchase the next best thing since sliced bread.

Sweet Ride

There’s a story in a California newspaper, the Auburn Journal, this week about a high school student who adapted a skateboard for his classmates with disabilities.  I was stoked after reading it and had to share.  Enjoy.

Web 2.0 Wednesday! Note Card App

Are you looking for a simple way to create note cards for studying? Then you should try Note Card App.

Simply sign up for a free account and you are on your way to creating note card "piles".

Click Create and start entering your questions and answers.

When you are done, Click on "My Piles" and you will be able to select the cards you want to study from.

You can choose to review your cards in order or randomize them to really make sure you know the information!

Try it out and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

APP Attack! Typ-O HD

Today we are going to look at a powerful word prediction app: Typ-O HD. If you are familiar with Assistive Technology word prediction software (such as Co:Writer and WordQ) - this is the APP version of those tools.

For people who struggle with spelling and constructing sentences, word prediction is a powerful tool. A person simply starts a word and the tool provides suggestions that it "thinks" the person is trying to type. Once your word is displayed, simply select it and it is typed into your document.

Some of the additional features of Typ-O HD include:

Word prediction
Typ-O finds your word (and the next one) in its vast model of common English words and phrases.


Text to speech
Listen to your word before you select it. Hear your words and your sentences, before you email or SMS them.


Perfect spelling optional
Typ-O knows the most common spelling mistakes, and will often suggest words even if you have misspelled them.

In addition, the iPad version of this app includes spell check, a file management features and the ability to choose from four different voices.

Typ-O HD is developed by SecondGuess apps and costs $14.99

Check this one out and leave a comment below with your experiences.

Do you want to learn more about APPS? Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on July 12th at our Ewing NJ office. This is a new date because the first two sessions sold out! We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

APP Attack workshop is back!

Back by popular demand.....our APP ATTACK workshop!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 @ our office in Ewing, NJ

AM Session: 9:00 - 11:30
APPS for Communication

PM Session: 12:30 - 3:00
APPS for Education

APPS for Communication
This half day workshop will focus on apps that can be used to facilitate communication. These can be everything from simple text to speech – all the way to a full featured augmentative communication app. While certain apps will be highlighted, our experienced staff will also discuss strategies and best practices to make sure the features of these apps meet the needs of the consumer.

APPS for Education
This half day session will focus on apps to assist students in the classroom. People have been exploring the possibility of using the iPad and iPod to replace computers in the classroom. Come experience available apps and discover the possibilities. Using the examples of available apps, our experienced staff will also highlight the low tech to high tech continuum of assistive technology supports and areas that these devices could benefit students.

Cost:
Cost is $59 per session. Attend both for only $99. Come with a co-worker or friend and save even more. Registrations for two or more participants save 15%. Pay only $50 each for a half-day session and only $84 each for the full day.

Visit our website to learn more and to register.

APP ATTACK web page

Sign up today - registration is limited to the first 20 people. Both previous APP ATTACK workshops have sold out - don't miss this one!

Web 2.0 Wednesday! 5 Google Docs Tips

Do you use Google Docs for easy access to your documents wherever you are? Do you want 5 Tips to make this process even better?

Then check out this post from the Webware blog at C/NET.

5 Google Docs Tips

Enjoy!