Cerebral Institute of Discovery - Augmentive Communication

Augmentive communication allows people with speech impairments to speak. The most familiar devices are VOCAs (voice output communication aids): speech synthesizers or recorders with a manual interface. Auditory scanning interfaces are available with some devices for those who do not have good manual dexterity. Other devices provide a keyboard or mouse interface to a computer. These devices are making tremendous strides as computer technology allows more and more powerful and easier to use designs. Cost, however, prevents many people from benefitting from these devices.

WWW Resources

WoodLake Technologies Inc.
http://www.woodlaketec.com/index. html
WoodLake Technologies Inc. provides assistive technology and communication solutions, including delivery, installation, and training services.

Crestwood Company Communication Aids
http://www.communicationaids.com/
The Crestwood Company has 274 "light-tech" products for children and adults who are unable to speak. Their selection includes 40 switch-adapted toys, switches of various kinds, talking pictures and passport kits, and voice-output speaking aids.

Language Research Center
http://www.Gsu.edu/~wwwlrc/index.html
The Language Research Center is a world renowned research facility located just outside of Atlanta, GA. Their research is focused on language development in apes (bonobos, chimpanzees, and orangutans) leading to a greater understanding of enabling technologies for use by people with communication difficulties.

The Prentke Romich Company Home Page
http://www.prentrom.com/
An Ohio company "serving people with disabilities with Communication Aids & Computer Access". They are most notable for their speech output devices.

Augmentative Communication Devices from Frame Technologies
http://www.frame-tech.com/
"Simple communication aids for the non-verbal person." Makers of the Voice-in-a-Box product line.

Words Plus Online Product Guide and Services
http://www.words-plus.com/
Words+ manufactures electronic devices and computer software that let people communicate, access computers, control their environment, and more.

Semantic Compaction Systems WWW: Server
http://www.lti.cs.cmu.edu/scs/
The originators of MinSpeak, a patented language representation technique, used by some communication devices. A Minspeak FAQ, chat room, and conference listings.

Morse 2000 Homepage
http://www.uwec.edu/Academic/Outreach/Morse2000/morse2000.html
Promoting the use of Morse code in new ways.

American Speech-Language Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org
ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and scientists interested in speech, hearing, and language. This site is a good resource for anyone interested in communication disorders.

Augmentive and Alternative Communication Connecting Young Kids
http://www.mrtc.org/~duffy/yaack/
This website deals with communication issues with young children. It's divided into three main areas: an introductory getting started section, choosing an augmentive communication system, and teaching AAC skills to children.

Portable IMPACT by Enkidu Research
http://www.enkidu.net/
Portable IMPACT is a line of very small and powerful VOCA devices that include a color touchscreen, DECtalk speech, word prediction, and much more.

Books of Interest

Click on the image or title to read a summary or order the book

	Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Handbook of Principles and Practices by Lyle L. Lloyd (Editor), Donald R. Fuller (Contributor), Helen H. Arvidson (Contributor) Our Price: $80.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Hardcover - 495 pages (November 1997) Allyn & Bacon; ISBN: 0205198848 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.36 x 9.59 x 7.27
	Building Communicative Competence With Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication by Janice C., Ph.D. Light, Cathy Binger, Janice B. Light List Price: ~~$36.95~~ Our Price: $29.56 You Save: $7.39 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 304 pages Spiral edition (January 1998) Paul H Brookes Pub Co; ISBN: 1557663246 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.84 x 9.98 x 7.50
[ No picture ]	Communication for the Speechless: An Introduction to Augmentative Communication for the Severely Communicatively Impaired by Franklin H. Silverman Our Price: $60.00 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Textbook Binding - 403 pages 3 edition (November 7, 1994) Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0131848704 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.96 x 9.23 x 6.15

Monday, 12-Apr-2004 07:30:11 EDT