Re: Dynavox - Dr. Ray and Others Interested

[Guest guest]

DynaVox is an Augmentative Communication Device that is a small computer that

you can program to " speak " for you in print and a " voice. " There is a

keyboard (which Ned could not use at all), but there is also a version that

has a " touch screen " format. You can program in all sorts of things.

When we had the trial model here at home, I programed one screen to be his

" care " topics. That screen had pictures of many things on it -- one

for example was labeled " drinks " and when he touched that symbol, a second

page automatically came up and that screen had a picture of " Pepsi " " coke "

" beer " etc. The symbols and the " words " and the voice that spoke were all

custom made by me. When Ned touched " beer " the voice said " get me a cold

beer please. " I programmed another screen for " positions " and there was a

picture showing a patient lying in a bed on his back, another symbol showed

the person on his right side, etc., and you could program the voice to give

details by Ned just touching one picture. Another screen I labeled

" medications " and had a symbol for each time of the day Ned received

medications. Then I programmed in the spoken directions, for example if Ned

touched 8 a.m. the " voice " would say " I take my 8 o'clock meds with a can of

Ensure " the 3 p.m. Symbol would say " I'd like a Pepsi with my pills now "

etc.

The DynaVox looked like a miracle. I'm just sorry we did not know about it

years ago when Ned's speech was first affected, but before his dexterity was

so bad.

You could also program a typewriter touch screen so the patient could type

out any word/sentence he wanted. You could program in shortcuts if certain

words or phrases were commonly used............ Well, I didn't mean to

ramble, but wanted you to get the picture. I loved it and when Ned was in

the hospital last May, it would have been so nice if he could have had it

with him. The programming is time consuming to learn, but VERY easy once you

understand how to do it and there is a help line you can call and they will

walk you through problems.

If anyone has any other questions that I might be able to answer, just ask.

The contact number I have is Zygo Industries, Inc.

P. O. Box 1008

Portland, Oregon 97207-1008 USA

Tel: FAX

USA/Canada

I didn't see a website, but when I contacted them above, they referred me to

a company located in Ohio about 100 miles from where we live and the owner of

that company came down, evaluated Ned, brought a rental (I believe it was $75

a week - maximum rental was 3 weeks -- even if you purchase one, they would

not extend the rental until the purchased model came in because of the demand

for the rentals. -- After 3 weeks rental, I really wanted it, but

Ned really didn't think he could use it. (they would even custom make a

device to hold it on/near the hospital bed) -- all you newbies to the

list, don't lose heart though, because Ned has had SDS since before 1987 --

like I said, I wish we had know about this computer sooner.

Hope this helps. Judy B.

[Guest guest]

thank you for this information

Dr. Ray

-- Re: Dynavox - Dr. Ray and Others Interested

DynaVox is an Augmentative Communication Device that is a small computer that you can program to "speak" for you in print and a "voice." There is a keyboard (which Ned could not use at all), but there is also a version that has a "touch screen" format. You can program in all sorts of things.When we had the trial model here at home, I programed one screen to be his "care" topics. That screen had pictures of many things on it -- one for example was labeled "drinks" and when he touched that symbol, a second page automatically came up and that screen had a picture of "Pepsi" "coke" "beer " etc. The symbols and the "words" and the voice that spoke were all custom made by me. When Ned touched "beer" the voice said "get me a cold beer please." I programmed another screen for "positions" and there was a picture showing a patient lying in a bed on his back, another symbol showed the person on his right side, etc., and you could program the voice to give details by Ned just touching one picture. Another screen I labeled "medications" and had a symbol for each time of the day Ned received medications. Then I programmed in the spoken directions, for example if Ned touched 8 a.m. the "voice" would say "I take my 8 o'clock meds with a can of Ensure" the 3 p.m. Symbol would say "I'd like a Pepsi with my pills now" etc.The DynaVox looked like a miracle. I'm just sorry we did not know about it years ago when Ned's speech was first affected, but before his dexterity was so bad.You could also program a typewriter touch screen so the patient could type out any word/sentence he wanted. You could program in shortcuts if certain words or phrases were commonly used............ Well, I didn't mean to ramble, but wanted you to get the picture. I loved it and when Ned was in the hospital last May, it would have been so nice if he could have had it with him. The programming is time consuming to learn, but VERY easy once you understand how to do it and there is a help line you can call and they will walk you through problems.If anyone has any other questions that I might be able to answer, just ask. The contact number I have is Zygo Industries, Inc.P. O. Box 1008Portland, Oregon 97207-1008 USATel: FAX USA/Canada I didn't see a website, but when I contacted them above, they referred me to a company located in Ohio about 100 miles from where we live and the owner of that company came down, evaluated Ned, brought a rental (I believe it was $75 a week - maximum rental was 3 weeks -- even if you purchase one, they would not extend the rental until the purchased model came in because of the demand for the rentals. -- After 3 weeks rental, I really wanted it, but Ned really didn't think he could use it. (they would even custom make a device to hold it on/near the hospital bed) -- all you newbies to the list, don't lose heart though, because Ned has had SDS since before 1987 -- like I said, I wish we had know about this computer sooner. Hope this helps. Judy B. If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank email to shydrager-unsubscribe