What is our TouchSpeak solution?
Our TouchSpeak solution comprises two discrete; but combinable modules. (1) TouchSpeak, to design, build and maintain the client’s communication Topic Vocabulary, its features and functions and (2) TypeSpeak, to design and build the client's conversational communication needs.
The configurations and designs are created using TouchSpeak Designer (PC editor), needing minimal computer skills (on the familiar illustrative Windows Explorer structure), are held in the central database library. The software proves to be a valuable central resource available to all therapists etc, who can share vocabularies and all their respective elements.
TouchSpeak
Is the module for those with limited lower functioning skills, but are still able to access the symbolic features to support their functional communication needs. This is represented by the Vocabulary, a coherently organized set of interactive pages which contains all the symbols, images, photos and text, under each respective TOPIC element, which allows the user to deliver the associated speech immediately.
- Suitable for someone with only limited to moderate comprehension and cognitive skills
- Who has reasonable dexterity; but may need Scanning and Switch assistance
- With limited, impaired or no voice output
- Where speed or response is not necessarily a primary objective
Vocabulary features: Content & Configuration
- The therapist builds the vocabulary collaboratively with their client
- Normative (commonly-used content) vocabularies are provided to save you time in setting up client-specific pages
- Test your design real-time using the on-screen Simulator
- Different versions of the client's vocabulary can be deployed for their practical evaluation
- Vocabularies are securely stored for easy recovery
- The client has a real, positive and motivational role in the process
- The vocabulary can be transferred to the communication aid via Microsoft ActiveSync or via a Memory Card
- Import and Export to a Word file, in Text or as Pictures, for the client's case notes
- The client's functional use is further supported by other unique features such as sophisticated Drawing or Sketching and the News feature
TouchSpeak Functional features:
· Vocabulary Content Design and Configuration
· TouchSpeak is almost completely user-configurable
· The following can be applied dynamically (universally) or selectively at the single Topic Button level:
- Appearance - general defaults
- Font Sizes - general display
- Behaviour - Parent, oice over, fishing, message bar, buttons' functions
- Toolbars - content, size, position and contents
- Colours - of the topics, buttons, text, background etc.
· Multiple, unlimited multi-level linked Topics (from a single page Topic to many)
· Topics introduced as required - no need to pre-plan or pre-size the Vocabulary
· Automatic button resizing function
· Scalable (symmetric or asymmetric) Topic buttons - to further emphasise a particular key's importance or function
· Images categorized for easy searching and browsing (symbolic, semantic, functional, photos etc)
· Simple consistent Toolbar navigation plus scrolling for ease of use
· An Advanced Elevator-style navigation
· Conditional Jumps from and into another part of the vocabulary, topic or page
· Topics can be 'hidden' and introduced later as the users' familiarity increases
· Hotspots to identify and speak a special ‘spot’ on an image (i.e family photograph)
· Re-position and re-size the Topics and Toolbar etc., to accommodate visual problems such as Hemianopia
· Synthesized and Digitized voice output
· Phonemic Cueing
· Fishing and Voice over
· Auditory feed-back
· Scanning and switch access
· Essential quick Vocabulary building and editing
TypeSpeak TTS (Text-to-Speech)
The TypeSpeak TTS (Text to Speech) module is a successful and viable AAC solution for higher-functioning, more literate users; those with limited to totally impaired speech.
TypeSpeak Features
- Text input to Voice Output
- Scalable user-definable screen areas
- Size, colours, position etc
- On-screen scalable soft keyboard
- Sophisticated, comprehensive keyboard designer
- E.g. Literal, Symbolic, Semantic
- supplied with standard QWERTY, ABC, 123, EARDU keyboard layouts
- External Bluetooth keyboard support
- Portrait or Landscape mode
- Transcriber - cursive hand written text to speak
- Sophisticated Word prediction
- Displayed in column or row format
- Dynamic re-sizing of selected words
- Color highlights the beginning of the word predicting sequence
- Spelling suggestions - word completion
- 2 dictionaries: supplementary or personal
- Find words where letters are entered in reverse order
- Color highlights the next probable / possible letter
- Speak on just the letter, word or complete phrase
- Message Gallery for repeat use
- Phrase / Abbreviation
- Topic / Vocabulary style structure
- Full abbreviation expansion
- Auditory feedback
- Frequency etc