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Description of AAC Devices
Hardware
Software
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Description of AAC Computer Hardware
Devices
 Discover:Board
$500 (Mac or PC)
Type: Adapted Keyboard / alternative input device
This device is only a computer access tool, and not a designated communication
device. It must be used with a
PC or Mac.
Discover:Board works on the computer the same way the standard keyboard works.
It has keys for entering text, talking phrases, moving the
mouse and more.
Many software titles are compatible with this keyboard,
as Don Johnston Inc is always developing overlays to
use with them. See their website for a complete listing.
Don Johnston Inc.
Discover:Kenx
$780 (PC or Mac)
Type: Bundles Discover:Board, Discover:Switch, and Discover:Screen all together in an easy to use interface.
Discover:Kenx is a hardware interface which provides the
connection for switches, keyboards and other devices that match the physical needs of the students.
Don Johnston Inc.
 Discover:Switch
$449 (Mac or PC)
Type: Alternative input device / Switch
Discover:Switch is a computer switch that allows students who can activate one or two switches to access the computer. It shows a keyboard on the computer screen. This display provides choices for writing,
communicating, using the mouse or clicking graphics in multimedia
programs. The choices are highlighted. When the choice is highlighted, the student presses the Discover:Switch to make the selection.
More than just a mouse-emulating device, Discover:Switch offerspictures, word banks and a full keyboard to enter text.
Don Johnston Inc.
 IntelliKeys ®
$395 (Mac, iMac, or PC)
Type: Adapted
Keyboard
IntelliKeys
® plugs
into your computer and replaces the standard keyboard. Access: direct selection 2 switch input capacity for indirect selection
Other Features:
membrane keyboard that comes with 8 standard overlays.
Create custom overlays with OverlayMaker® software
tons of commercial software available for Intellikeys®
Factory keyguards also available (approx $50 each)
IntelliTools
Magic Touch
Touchscreen, Magic Touch Monitor (CRT & LCD), kiosk, touch screen, input
device, pointing device, and other interactive products by
KEYTEC, Inc. Convert your standard
monitor into a touch-interactive device for less than $200.
Run ANY mouse-driven programs.
Compatible with Windows 2000, 98, 95, ME, XP, NT4.0, Linux, Apple, iMac, G3, G4.
KEYTEC, Inc.
Glossary of frequently used AAC terms:
DECtalk: The most common speech synthesizer used in communication devices. Voices can be programmed to simulate both female and male voices for children
through adults. (see this link for more info on DECtalk)
Digitized Speech: Unlike synthesized speech which relies on software to create spoken words,
digitized speech is simply "recorded" speech. The programmer records their own words into the
device, and the user then plays them back. This method requires lots of memory to store multiple
phrases and cannot make words which aren't directly recorded.
Direct Selection: With direct selection, "what you push is what you get".
Like a normal keyboard, pressing the "L" key, displays an "L" on the screen. This method does not require a sequence of
events like "indirect selection", but simply one action produces an effect.
Dynamic Display: A dynamic display changes as you move through sequences of "communication
boards" automatically. The device can be programmed to change screens when certain buttons are
activated. For example, one can program a "meal" board to change to a "lunch options
only" board automatically by the child pressing the "I want to eat lunch" button. This requires good memory and
problem solving ability by the user, and can be extremely valuable to the intelligent person who wants
to independently use large vocabulary and context choices throughout the day.
Indirect Selection: This method requires the user to activate a sequence in order to elicit a desired
response. For example, a user may use a switch to activate a scanning cursor. When the cursor
reaches the desired target, the switch is activated again to "select" the target.
Keyguard: A keyguard is used to help guide the user to
the correct location of a direct selection device like a keyboard. It allows the user to drag their
hand(s) across the device without accidentally hitting undesired keys or selection. Holes are made over the correct areas for more accurate selections.
Membrane Keyboard: A membrane keyboard is one flat surface. The advantage is that you can make overlays
which customize the layout to fit your specific needs. The disadvantage is that it is only 2 dimensional, and it can be easy to activate undesired fields without a
keyguard.
Minspeak: This is different from a dynamic display as described in this glossary in that it is not a
multiple "level" or overlay system. It uses pictures which carry certain meanings depending. One
can string many pictures together to create a complete idea, and these pictures change in meaning
depending on the context of the previously selected pictures. If this sounds confusing, you are not
alone. This requires a great deal of training to learn how to use this, but can be very useful when one
become proficient. Click
here for more info on this, and for a comparison (biased) on Minspeak vs dynamic
level systems.
Scanning: Scanning is frequently used with
indirect switch selection. Typically, activation of the switch initiates a scanning sequence (linear, column-row, etc..). A second activation will select the user's desired choice. Many
variations of this concept exist depending on the number of switches, and desired responses. Scanning rate is usually user adjustable.
Synthesized Speech: This is speech that the computer generates to closely resemble a human voice.
A digital answering machine is an example of a product that uses synthesized speech. This method
allows the computer to generate an unlimited number of possible spoken words, and takes up little
memory. The most common speech synthesizer used in communication devices is
DECtalk.
Word Prediction Software: Word prediction works well for "slower" typers and also for those who
have difficulty with spelling, but want to be able to write proficiently. The software "predicts" what
you are typing as you go. With each keystroke, the choices continue to narrow down to your
desired word, until the user simply hits one key or switch to select the desired word without having
to type the whole thing out. CoWriter is an example of word
prediction software.
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