I guess it was only a matter of time before a communication device was created based on a portable computer. The Portable Impact Communication Devices are built right into mainstream Windows CE computers. As a result users have access to a portable, lightweight device with good battery life, which can also be used to surf the Internet, send emails, and create Microsoft Word and Excel documents which are fully interchangeable with documents on their desktop PC.

The communication software is a little like Clicker 4 or Speaking Dynamically Pro and allows users to access communication grids which use PCS symbols, text or even their own images from digital cameras or the Web. The devices use DECtalk speech, but also allow for recording of Australian voices using digitised speech capability. You can chose to edit communication grids on the device itself, or on a desktop PC, transferring the grids to the device at a later stage.

Add to these features, touchscreen access to all programs, and switch access to the communication software, and you have a very flexible communication device option. This is a whole new concept in communication for Australia. For more details on pricing etc. visit the devices in our online catalogue.

Please contact us at Spectronics if you would like to receive a brochure detailing the various options available. We also have a demo CD which we are happy to send to you. This allows you to play with the communication software on your PC and evaluate it for yourself. We think you will be impressed!

In the past, Spectronics has not offered Touch Monitors to our customers, as they have been too expensive. Many of you told us that you would prefer to use the cheaper Edmark TouchWindows instead.

However, in the past year, prices on Touch Monitors have come down sufficiently for them to be considered a real alternative to the TouchWindow. A new Touch Monitor can be purchased from $1675 (plus GST) or you can have any existing monitor converted to a Touch Monitor from $1295 (plus GST).

How are the Touch Monitors better than touchscreens which need to be attached to the front of the computer?

1. They cannot be pulled off and thrown!
2. They are much more accurate. When a user presses on the screen, there is less chance that they will miss their target, because of the parallax error inherent in add-on touchscreens. Users can get right into the corners of a screen and there is no need to repeatedly recalibrate the screen! They just work!
3. They are a very strong option - much stronger than standard computer monitors. In fact, adding the MicroTouch Touch Monitor surface to an existing monitor will make it significantly stronger and much more scratch-resistant.
4. They are much more sensitive to fingertip touch than the add-on touchscreens
5. A TouchPen accessory is available for users who are unable to use fingers to press the screen.
6. The new touchscreens have anti-bacterial technology built into them, reducing risk of bacterial spread between multiple users.
7. The Touch Monitors can be purchased as a whole new monitor, or can also be "retrospectively fitted" to any existing monitor.
8. All MicroTouch Touch Monitors are supplied with a 5 Year Warrantee on all touch screen components - reassuring for purchasers in special ed and other settings where the screen will have to withstand to heavy use and the occasional bout of rough treatment!

We were privileged to be joined on the Spectronics stand at the ARATA Conference by Bonnie Kearney, from the Accessibility Group with Microsoft in Seattle, USA. Bonnie discussed upcoming accessibility features built into the new Internet Explorer Version 6.0, the soon-to-be-released Windows XP, and Microsoft Office XP. If you would like copies of the brochures outlining these features, please contact us and we will send them out to you.

Alternatively, visit the Microsoft Accessibility Website for details of accessibility features built into these and other Microsoft products.

Unfortunately, it can take quite a long time before many special needs software and assistive technology products become compatible with newer versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. So, we continue to caution you all to go slowly down the computer upgrade path and, wherever possible, check with us first about whether your existing programs will work on a new operating system before you upgrade.

Having said that however, one company’s software is always "out there" keeping abreast of changes! The textHELP! company has just released versions of Read and Write 5.0 and Wordsmith 2.0 which are fully compatible with Windows XP and with Microsoft Office XP. Existing owners of Wordsmith will need to download an upgrade from ftp://ftp.texthelp.com/WordSMith_XP_Upgrade.exe to ensure that their copy of the program is compatible with Windows XP and Microsoft Office. Read and Write 5.0 owners do not need to upgrade as the program is compatible with XP as is.

For students who struggle with reading and written work, it is great news that at least one specialised support package is keeping pace with operating system updates!