AnyBook Reader -Off the Shelf Adaptable AT

The Franklin AnyBook Reader is designed to make any book and interactive, "read to me" book.  Essentially you attach special stickers to the pages of books and then when you touch the pen to the sticker it plays back a self-recorded message.

The Franklin AnyBook reader could be used in so many ways for learners with multiple special needs.  Here are a few I have thought of:

• use with manual communication boards as a mid-tech AAC device
• use with visual schedules or task strips as a prompting device
• use with social stories as a means of independent access to text for non- or early readers
• use with a cookbook to read recipes
• use to say the Pledge of Alligiance
• use for sequencing activities - be it math, phonemes or story sequencing
• use to label colors for those with visual impairments
• use to record messages from home to school and back

The Franklin AnyBook Reader come in a 15 or 60 hour edition, costing about forty to fifty five dollars.  It uses double AA batteries to run and comes with 400 reusable, removable stickers.

You can even check out the AnyBook Reader Blog.

Talkatoo

Talkatoos are cute and sassy talking buttons that are attached to pendants or keychains.  They hold a thiry second voice message and have a record lock to keep messages from being erased.  Talkatoo's are designed for a parent to record a reassuring message for a child or a child to play with and record him or herself.  However they might be a perfect tool for learners with disabilities who have good fine motor skills to have a talking I.D. or use for quick messages. 

Talkatoos retail for about $17.00 and can be found on Amazon, the Talkatoo Website and fine toy stores.  There is a special offer right now at the "deal a day" online line store Zulily that is offering Talkatoo's for 9.99, but you need to move fast!