Communicate: SymWriter ANZ (Australian/New Zealand Version)
by Widgit Software
The exciting successor to Writing with Symbols 2000!
Available now in Australia and New Zealand!
Assisting Writing
Communicate: SymWriter provides the perfect tool for simple word and symbol processing for emergent writers. It enables users to see the meaning of words as they write. The symbols appear automatically in a side panel, illustrating the word just typed or chosen. Non-keyboard users can write in very flexible ways by selecting from grids and buttons.
SymWriter comes with over 10,000 Widgit Symbols in colour and black-and-white, which support those with a limited text vocabulary or who write using symbols. Clipart, symbols, or imported images can be easily dropped onto the page to add further visual support (1,500 clip art and photographs are supplied with the program.)
NEW: ANZ (Australian/New Zealand) Version available now
The new ANZ version is localised for the Australian and New Zealand region and features Australian and New Zealand Widgit symbols. Find out more about the Australian and New Zealand Widgit symbols…
View a quick Comparison of the features in Communicate: SymWriter and Writing with Symbols 2000
Write by Selecting from Grids and Button
SymWriter makes writing easier with the aid of grids and buttons. These can be in text, text and symbol or symbol only. This means that SymWriter can support those who cannot write text but that can write using symbols, and text writers with a limited vocabulary. Choosing a grid with either mouse, touch screen or switch means everyone can be engaged in the writing process.
Position grids and buttons wherever you like, ready to send to the document or carry out actions. You can use the ready-made function buttons or design your own. You can even add backgrounds to buttons and grids.
Making Activities
SymWriter includes a range of example activities. There is a designer mode that enables you to edit activities as well as create your own.
Built-in Aids: Speech and Pictorial Spell Checker
Speech feedback can be used to speak individual letters, words and sentences as they are created, or to hear whole documents read back. The pictorial spell checker helps users understand the meaning of selected words by illustrating them with symbols, whether or not you are using symbols in the finished document.
Smart Symbolising
Communicate: SymWriter is the first program from Widgit to use the new ‘smart symbolising’ technology. This enables more accurate symbolisation of text, with less need for manual corrections.
SymWriter can work in multiple languages and can easily switch between languages.
Wide Range of Purposes
- Adult Users Increase the involvement and motivation of adult users by creating visual strategies, such as behaviour charts and signage, or organisational tools, such as personal plans and shopping lists.
- Educational Settings Widgit Software is developing a range of curriculum resources to support Communicate: SymWriter. These will extend the paper-based curriculum materials available for In Print by providing a range of complementary screen-based activities.
- Communication Devices Activities can be designed specifically to support users with Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices or users with physical difficulties who use switches.
Making Activities
Making your own grids and activities is easy. As well as supporting written text with the Widgit Symbols, you can add your own pictures to words or change the text for a symbol.
Toolbars are fully configurable to allow different levels of use and they can be resized to meet individual preferences.
Confused about which symbol software program would best meet your needs? Click here to view our Symbol Software Comparison Chart comparing the features of Boardmaker, Writing with Symbols 2000, Communicate:In Print 2 ANZ and Communicate: SymWriter ANZ.
Licensing Conditions for Single User Licence
If a person purchases a single user licence of Communicate: SymWriter and has 2 computers (for instance, a laptop and desktop), the software may be installed on both for their use. Additional licences must be purchased if anyone other than the licensee wants to use the software.
Note: At this time there is no “Travelling Licence” purchase option available.
For multi-user purchase options of Communicate: SymWriter ANZ, click here.
Upgrade Options
Need help in working out the cost of upgrading your current version of Writing with Symbols or Communicate: In Print 2 ANZ to Communicate: SymWriter ANZ?
Visit Upgrade to Communicate: SymWriter ANZ from Writing with Symbols 2000 or Communicate: In Print 2 for Single User Upgrade pricing and to use our Communicate: SymWriter Upgrades Calculator
Videos about Communicate: SymWriter ANZ
Requirements and ResourcesexpandClick to collapse
Minimum System Requirements
- Windows XP, Vista, 7 (compatible with 64-bit Editions)
- Pentium processor 800 MHz, Pentium 4 or above at 1 GHz min preferred
- 256 MB RAM minimum, preferably 512 MB
- 1 GB hard disk space
- 1024×768 display
- Sound card
View/Download
- Communicate: SymWriter 1.1 Manual (3 MB)
- Communicate: SymWriter Installation Guide (357 KB)
- Communicate: SymWriter Network Installation Guide
- Communicate: SymWriter Activation Guide
- Communicate: SymWriter Guide to Word Lists (190 KB)
- Widgit’s Guide to Symbols (1.5 MB)
- Widgit Software Solutions for Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (4.6 MB)
- Communicate: SymWriter Program Updates and Patches including Communicate: SymWriter Trial version 1.1.9x (480 MB – Includes SAPI4 voices only. If you prefer, contact Spectronics to request a Trial CD-ROM.)
- FREE Widgit Symbols Updates
- Getting Started Guides for Making Environments
- A single grid for writing
- A sequence of grids for structured writing
- A more complex sequence of grids for structured writing
- Grids for writing with text
- A single grid for writing
- Reference Sheets – Advanced Features of Creating Environments
Free Online Training by Spectronics is available for this product.
Support
Visit
Communicate: SymWriter ANZ (Australian/New Zealand Version) is targeted at the following age ranges:
- Early Primary
- Mid Primary
- Upper Primary
- Secondary School
- Adult
Communicate: SymWriter ANZ (Australian/New Zealand Version) is designed to foster development in the areas of:
- Literacy
- Communication
- Resource preparation
Users can access Communicate: SymWriter ANZ (Australian/New Zealand Version) in the following ways:
- Mouse/ Trackball/ Joystick
- Keyboard
- Single Switch
- Multiple Switches
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and technical support visit:
Prices
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Freight free shipping anywhere within Australia or New Zealand!
Prices are listed in New Zealand Dollars