AAC Demands

There are now 2, count 'em two, computers on the market which have screens that can be viewed in bright sunlight. The OLPC and the Flybook. (I get this information from Gadget Lab.)

So, AAC manufacturers, when, precisely, can we expect the Dynavox Series Six Degrees, the PRC EGO, The ATI/TOBII Venus or the Great Talking Box e-It Works In The Sun?

(Obviously I have taken a little liberty with the device names here, but dontcha think they are some great device names?)

Along with those demands how about these ideas:

• instant daily/weekly/monthly backup via wifi to an online storage site (for free) or to an external hard drive
• page sharing online (for free)
  
• integrated eyegaze control (this one is in the works from Dynavox and ATI/TOBII from what I understand)
• awesome kid and teen voices, I want to hear those teen boy voices crack
• integrated web cams for video and still
  
• integrated MP3 player with controls through the buttons on communication pages to do all features (play, pause, forward, back)
• multi-touch screen option
• the same "turn-the-device-and-the-image-on-the-screen-turns" feature as new phones (read the i-phone)
• drag and drop to install music, photos and more, no packages, no complicated macros, no tech knowledge needed
• online knowledge bases/support that is up-to-date and easy to navigate and cross referenced to various generations of devices
  
• more colors of devices, more external customizing of devices, and colored cases too!
• ability to store and play movies (that means lots and lots of memory)
• solid state drive option for those who don't need tons of memory but are hard on devices
  
• auto updates to software via wifi and none of this you can only download the update once business, what if the device crashes?
• integrated hardware to operate a computer (not additional hardware)
• option for 100% integrated mobile phone, or txt only, or 911 (or other emergency number only)
• a code given to a customer at the same time a return authorization code is given that makes computer editing software into communication software for a limited time while the AAC device is being repaired (back up communication is always nice)
• EXTERNAL volume controls - the only thing I LIKE about the ZYGO Optimist. That and hot swap batteries.
  
• Hot swap batteries
• Every device comes with two AC chargers, one for home and one for work/school/day program
  
• Print the directions for power on/off and reset clearly and in a decent size on the device
  
• Print the directions to work the case on the case (especially if the case is crazy complicated)
  
• ONLINE AAC software editing and backup - access your communication software from any internet connected computers, SLPs and teachers no longer have to take devices away to program them after school, mom and dad can program while the child uses the device to say what he or she wants on the device
  

What else folks? Comment!

AAC Device Pet Peeves

In the past three years I have worked with at least five different high tech dynamic display AAC devices. All of the devices I reference below were purchased in the past three or so years (the speech therapist on my team is very over worked). Here are some of my pet peeves of working with the devices:

1. some very recently purchased devices use obsolete or inadequate operating systems - i.e. Windows 98
   
2. frequent need to reboot, soft reset or other method of restarting the system, especially when programming - wasting valuable time
   
3. some are very difficult to back up to a secondary location, leading to a possible loss of hours of work
4. incomplete symbol systems without an easy means for the user or programmer to extend or add to the symbol set
5. broken promises from device vendors regarding training and support
6. a few devices have low parent/para friendliness factor - programmer tends to need high level of training
   
7. repairs are expensive - shipping alone can blow your budget
8. repairs take too long leaving the user with no means of communication
9. repairs are needed FAR too frequently
   
10. difficult to block users from programming controls (we've resorted to pad locks on the cases of some devices and we still haven't totally stopped the problems)
11. glare problems
    
12. poorly designed wheelchair mounting systems causing very expensive devices to fall over or off the mount - the best wheelchair mount in my classroom is made from spare parts I scraped together
    
13. carrying case is not included, leaving us to improvise with egg crate foam pads and donated tote bags
    
14. short battery life - some can't even make it a full school day
15. irreplaceable parts lead to some devices being junked (and users being without devices) long before the five year insurance limit for new devices is up