Home Library Product Reviews

Available from SPECTRONICS: Catering to People with Special Needs

Writing with Symbols (Widgit) (now replaced by Communicate: SymWriter ANZ and Communicate in Print ANZ)

The easy-to-use symbol processor for MS Windows lets you type and see the matching symbol - with speech as well! Writing with Symbols pops the text and corresponding symbol onto the screen and even speaks the word. You can make the symbols larger or smaller, change text and/or symbol colour, import other symbol libraries or individual symbols. Trainers can edit pronunciations, add extra words and match symbols to them, match multiple symbols to a word, even import scanned images.

Navigation is easy. A graphical menu with one click buttons provides quick and elegant navigation to the beginning and end of the document, and to the start and finish of completed sentences. Easy print and save buttons as well as speech output, colour of text/background and size of text and symbols buttons, makes writing tasks enjoyable and achievable for users of all ages. It is totally flexible and can accommodate clients' changing needs. Symbols can be modified and added, or completely removed; similarly with speech output.

It is an ideal multisensory tool for adults in training and/or residential settings or for older teenage students who require additional support with pictorial and auditory assistance with their communication and/or writing tasks. It includes quality speech feedback to accommodate many learning and communications needs. The voice can be changed in volume, speed and pitch (a Sound Blaster or compatible speech card is required). (PC Only)

Symbols to Sentences

A companion package that compliments Writing with Symbols, Symbols to Sentences lets trainers create electronic worksheets and other literacy activities. Symbols to Sentences is ideal for literacy training. It is flexible and has many useful features.

Trainers and instructors can create literacy materials quickly on the computer - for on-computer as well as off-computer tasks or follow up work for revision and practice. You can design fill-in-the blank worksheets for word recognition, letter blends, phonics and other reading and writing activities. Use with adults of all ages to teach reading, writing and spelling with symbols, pictographs, scanned images, pictures and text - with additional auditory clues using speech output. Include all clients in literacy learning, accommodating individual adults who have learning difficulties with customised activities that meet their specific needs. Create custom worksheets that target specific learning needs for a group of clients from the ready-to-use exercises to start working straight away. Print out worksheets for off-computer language activities and for assessment requirements. Over time, build a resource that can be used each year and modified to cater to different clients' needs.

Symbols to Sentences is easy to install and use straight away. Use one of the sample files or type a document in Writing with Symbols, save it and then open it in Symbols to Sentences. Choose from several options to quickly customise the activity for one client or group. Modify and edit the activity again to increase the level of complexity or difficulty. Using speech feedback - read a completed word, sentence, paragraph or entire activity. For auditory learners, use a clue to what word needs to be filled in. (The clue may be a favourite sound effect or short piece of music - even the client's own voice). Create your own cloze activities using the client's own language and experiences. Create your own language activities where words can be matched - homonyms, synonyms, definitions, opposites, adjectives-nouns. Built-in automatic record keeping tracks your clients' progress. Determine individual training goals and provide tangible results. (PC Only)

Other symbol collections can be used in replacement of the Symbol Collection or in addition to it (e.g. COMPIC). The choice is up to you when you order.

INTELLIKEYS - An Alternate Keyboard

IntelliKeys means physical, visual and cognitive access for people with a wide range of disabilities. It is the centerpiece of a complete system of communication, education and enjoyment.

IntelliKeys plugs directly into your Macintosh or PC-compatible computer keyboard port (using the appropriate cable to suit your computer model). You can select from one of the eight ready-made overlays or make your own. People who use switches can choose from two built-in programmable switch jacks. A choice of 11 settings gives quick and easy access to popular switch software. IntelliKeys works seamlessly with Overlay Maker, IntelliTalk, and ClickIt!.

Clients send an overlay to IntelliKeys or simply slide it one of the eight standard overlays and begin work. Letters, words and sentences can be spoken using the voice selected in a companion package, such as IntelliTalk. Clients see, press, and hear text! This multi sensory learning caters to all clients' needs. Users can choose a male or female adult voice, decide how fast or slow the computer speaks or modify pronunciation by using the built-in pronunciation editor. When you combine IntelliTalk with IntelliKeys and Overlay Maker, it becomes an indispensable part of your training resources.

Overlay Maker (IntelliTools)

A companion package (sold separately), Overlay Maker allows you to create your own custom overlays for IntelliKeys. Colour or black and white overlays can be created in minutes, allowing users to work independently. Available for both Macintosh and Windows, Overlay Maker works like a drawing program, is packed with features and it has its own Picture Library. Overlay Maker comes with over 20 sample overlay files for language, communication, maths, arts, and more. Samples include disk files, ready for you to use and/or customise. Pictures, pictographs, symbols, scanned images and graphics acquired from the Internet can also be used in the creation of IntelliKeys overlays.

IntelliTalk (IntelliTools)

Ideally, IntelliKeys works in tandem with another IntelliTools product, IntelliTalk. IntelliTalk is a talking word processor, available for Macintosh computers and for PC-compatibles as a DOS package or as an MS Windows version (both PC versions require a sound card installed for speech output. IntelliTalk has easy-to-use menus and numerous voice and speech options. It is a perfect training and literacy package for adults who have special needs. Clients can choose from a variety of fonts and sizes. Trainers and instructors can improve visual discrimination by adjusting font and background colours for their clients. The look and feel of IntelliTalk can be customised. Its appearance is similar to that of mainstream word processors. It suits adults who have intellectual disabilities who require a supportive writing tool.

ClickIt! (IntelliTools)

ClickIt allows a client to touch an overlay or use a switch to activate Hot Spots on an Apple Macintosh or PC-compatible running Windows. Today's software, especially multimedia resource CD-ROM's, Internet browsers and training software, uses buttons or has active locations. These "Hot Spots" can be located anywhere on the screen display. Until now, switch and alternate keyboard users had no opportunity or way to access these software genres.

ClickIt is the answer. It is easy to set up to create IntelliKeys overlays and switch arrays that provide appropriate access for adults who are physically and/or intellectually impaired. ClickIt provides access to mainstream software. Trainers can accommodate their clients' preference for software selection and not be restricted to inappropriate titles or software designed for children.

Write:OutLoud (Don Johnson)

Write:OutLoud is the easy-to-use talking word processor from Don Johnson, with versions for Macintosh and PC-compatible computers. The UK version of Write:OutLoud (WOL) has a host of practical and useful features for both trainers and clients. It has a talking spell checker that voices the misspelt word and also voices the list of suggested words. No more guess work for poor spellers or adults who have a reading disability. It is also easy to install and use straight from the box. The instructions are clearly written and the user manual guides you through all procedures.

Write:OutLoud is essentially an entry-level word processor that has high quality speech output. A useful feature is the Ribbon which appears at the top of the Write:OutLoud document (you can turn it off or on at any time). The user needs only to click on buttons (small icons) to perform tasks. Users can quickly access and use features such as moving the cursor to the beginning and end of the document and sentences, speaking selected text or the entire document, turning speech off, checking spelling, saving and printing the document and changing font size and text/background colour. You can voice all of the ribbon icons by clicking on them with the right mouse button. This caters directly to adults who have an intellectual disability, teenage students with learning difficulties and to people who are vision impaired. These one-hit buttons save. As well as being appealing and more in keeping with the design and functionality of many mainstream packages, they are fun to use and are appropriate for adults.

Co:Writer (Don Johnson)

Co:Writer is the easy-to-use intelligent writing assistant. It works in conjunction with your preferred word processing program. Co:Writer is available for both Apple Macintosh and PC-compatibles running MS Windows (a speech card is required for voiced speech). Co:Writer is a word prediction program - a productivity tool for those who struggle with writing due to injury, physical limitation, language delay or learning disability. It caters to the writing and communication needs of adults. It helps alleviate the physical and cognitive stress of text generation.

Word prediction can make the writing and typing process easier, faster and more pleasurable. Co:Writer does this by predicting the writer's words. The writer types one or two letters, and Co:Writer helps finish the word by presenting 2 to 9 word choices, displayed in a window onscreen. It reduces the number of keystrokes required to complete a word, especially long words or words that have complex and difficult spelling. It therefore reduces the time for the writer to complete a sentence and limits the physical demands placed upon the writer. Due to the diminished demands on the person, the quality, quantity and ease of writing are dramatically increased. Satisfaction, self-esteem and confidence are guaranteed as the writing experience becomes one of continued success and enjoyment.

Clicker 5 (Crick Software)

Clicker 5 software provides elegant onscreen access to your favourite software packages. The Clicker series of products also includes switch access. Clicker 5 is designed as an onscreen keyboard with speech and pictures. It is easily accessible, can be programmed to suit all writing and documentation needs. Clicker 5 can be used with people of all ages, especially adults with special learning/ communication/ language needs. As the software is open ended, trainers and instructors can quickly create and design customised grids, tailoring them to meet individual client requirements.

When used with popular mainstream publishing and word processing packages such as MS Word, it enhances the writing process. When teamed with talking word processors (such as IntelliTalk, Write:OutLoud and Writing with Symbols), the Clicker products cater directly to users who are vision impaired or who have intellectual and/or physical disabilities. It caters to unlimited literacy, functional use of language, training and real life applications, as it is flexible and versatile in its implementation and use. You can incorporate pictographs (e.g. Pic Syms, COMPIC), graphics, drawings and scanned/digital images in the onscreen keyboard, with or without text and speech. The onscreen grid can be changed in size at any time to accommodate users visual and/or cognition, with cell content adjusting automatically.

Picture Cue Dictionary (Attainment Company)

Five life-skill software programs teach words you need to know to perform everyday activities. Covers personal care, house keeping, dining out, scheduling and shopping skills. (Mac only)