New Look !
Access on-line: AT Newsletter goes on-screen and "green."
We're excited to bring you a new look for AT Focus—now with even more great information about assistive technology in Pennsylvania and in a new, easy-to-use format.
To provide our readers with the most current information about assistive technology (AT), and in keeping with our commitment to be more "green," we will now provide this newsletter online at www.disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/atlend/news. You will receive an email at the time each new issue is released. For those who request it, we will send it to you via U.S. mail.
Please send updates to your contact information, especially your email address, to atlend@temple.edu.
New Product
The Victor Reader Stream
To read more about the Stream, visit: www.humanware.com
One of the most exciting AT devices developed recently for people with low vision and blindness is the Victor Reader Stream by Humanware. Called "the Stream," it is the size of a deck of cards, weighing 8 ounces. This versatile DAISY-MP3 and NISO player lets you read by audio, with or without the included earphones. It enables you to navigate through complex books, as well as novels and magazines downloaded from the web (the unit has a built-in USB port.) The microphone can record voice notes and music can be stored and played (SD memory card sold separately.) The Stream's rechargeable battery provides 15 hours of playtime per charge.
When you borrow the device from the Lending Library, it comes with a SD memory card and a downloaded book.
Inventory code: RE-STREAM
If you decide this is the "right" device for you, you can obtain ebooks from these resources:
- www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb/DownloadPilot.html: Downloadable Audio Book and Magazine Service. You must be a member in good standing of your local Library for the Blind and Handicapped to register for this free service.
- www.audible.com: Commercial; must purchase books.
- www.bookshare.org: Synthesized speech. Fees involved.
- www.rfbd.org: Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. Both narrated and synthesized speech. Fees involved.
- www.humanware.com/en-canada/support/find_content_for_stream: Locate websites for books and music to play on your Stream.
Need help funding your AT?
Contact the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF).
PATF provides low-interest loans for the purchase of AT. Successful participation in this program can even improve individual credit rating.
To learn more about your funding options for acquiring AT, please contact PATF at 888-744-1938 (voice/TTY), 484-674-0510 (fax), or patf@patf.us (email) or visit the website at www.patf.us.
Focus on...Communication Devices
Here's a look at just some of the items available for loan from Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library.
For more information or to borrow one of these items, go to our website: www.disabilities.temple.edu/atlend.
DynaVox EyeMax System
The DynaVox EyeMax System is a communication device and an eyegaze access method comprised of the DynaVox Vmax and the EyeMax Accessory. These components work together and allow users to access the Vmax with a simple blink, by dwelling on a desired area, a combination of dwell and blink or with a switch. Includes a mounting plate, both English and Spanish speech and WordPower vocabulary software. Combined weight of the system is 9 lbs and 2 ounces.
Inventory Code: AC-DV-EYEMAX
Company: DynaVox Systems, LLC
Replacement Cost: $14,815
Loan Time: 6 weeks
Vantage Lite
Features dynamic display, synthesized speech and Softscan voices. With the included PRC Application and Support Software (PASS) you can create, modify, and save vocabularies and create support materials. This AAC device can be accessed by direct selection (touch screen) or (8, 15, 45, 60, 84) keyguards, scanning (visual and auditory), and joystick. Auditory prompts are also provided for users with low vision. It also has a built-in Tracker headpointing system which allows controlled access through a reflective "dot" placed on the user's forehead. Features also include: Unity vocabulary, Wordcore (45 & 84), Minspeak icons and PCS symbols, WordPower, spell checker, picture prediction, word prediction, SD card and USB ports, built-in media player, computer access and ECU controls. It weighs approximately 3.6 lbs. and measures 8 x 7 x 1.6 in.
Inventory Code: AC-VANTAGELT
Company: Prentke Romich Company
Replacement Cost: $7815
Loan Time: 6 weeks
SpringBoard Lite
Features a 7.3" dynamic display touch screen and up to 60 minutes of recorded speech output and is designed for children and other entry-level AAC communicators. Direct selection, joystick or switch scanning access. Other features include: Visual Scenes, minsymbols, PCS Symbols, IntelliTools Classroom Suite and a 4-, 8-, 15-, and 32-location display option. Other images can be added. SpringBoard Lite weighs 2.5 lbs and has built-in media player for playing MP3, WMA and WAV files.
Inventory Code: AC-SBLITE
Replacement Cost: $3252
Company: Prentke Romich Company
Loan Period: 6 weeks
Meet Your Local AT Lending Library Branch
Meet CHAD, Center on Hearing and Deafness that provides information, social services and advocacy to improve the quality of life for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
CHAD
139 W. Market Street
West Chester, PA 19382
William Lockard, Executive Director
Phone: 610-918-6250
TTY/VP: 610-918-6251
Fax: 610-918-6249
Email: office@chadinc.org
PA AT Lending Library Spotlight
How to maximize your resources to best help consumers!
When an AT professional is conducting a home visit to assist an AT Lending Library borrower, it is often more effective when a second person comes along to help.
Dawn Hornburg from Life and Independence Today (LIFT), the Center for Independent Living in Elk County, has a creative method of finding an appropriate training partner, increasing the impact of the visit for the consumer AND providing a valuable education experience in the process!
When a consumer contacted Dawn requesting help to program a telephone she borrowed, Dawn invited a local Penn State student with whom she had built a relationship for the home visit. Dawn and the student went to the woman's home, and introduced and trained the consumer about the features of the borrowed phone. By the end of the visit, the woman had a good understanding of how to program numbers into the phone, and the student had a unique and valuable opportunity to work hands-on with the AT, communicate directly with the borrower and sharpen her teaching skills! In addition, the safety of including a partner helped Dawn feel more secure about the visit while feeling satisfied by mentoring the next generation of AT professionals. And most importantly, the borrower received the needed support and instruction to successfully use the telephone!
TDDP Corner
What is the "free phone program" I have been hearing about?
If you have a difficult time using the phone in your home, Pennsylvania's Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP) might be able to help you. TDDP provides free adapted telephone equipment to eligible people with disabilities who have difficulty or are unable to independently use standard telephone equipment. Some of the equipment available through the TDDP includes amplified telephones, signalers, TTYs, and phone equipment for other functional needs.
The TDDP is implemented by Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) in conjunction with the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC).
For more information, contact the TDDP toll-free at 800-204-7428 (voice), 866-268-0579 (TTY), tddp@temple.edu (email), or visit www.disabilities.temple.edu/tddp.