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New Polyana — AAC aid for writing and talking - a lot!
Polyana is a Pocket Windows PC companion that has been modified to meet the needs of an augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) unit. Its light weight (2.3 lbs/1.1 kg) makes carrying easy by its folding carry-handle/stability stand and its small size makes it convenient to slip into a pocket or purse. The audio amplifier/speaker base-pack provides exceptionally loud, clear output. A sliding volume control in front is used to set the sound output level. It has a long battery life on each charge and is relatively inexpensive.

AAC software is available on memory cards or for downloading from a personal computer. The touch screen on the color display is easily accessed with a pointer or finger. Wheelchair mounting systems are available.

A host of programs for daily use are included as well as a modem for e-mail and internet access. Print to full-size PC printers through the infrared link or direct serial connection.

New Optimist II is here
Designed on a new generation hand-held tablet-size, personal pen computer, the Optimist II is a powerful AAC aid that is ideal for direct selection on its 8.4 inch screen or scanning its dynamic display. The unit's light weight of 3.7 lbs/1.7 kg makes carrying easy and its audio amplifier/speaker module provides exceptionally loud, clear output.

A touch screen on the color display is easily accessed and its design precludes the need for keyguards. AAC software may be pre-installed and wheelchair mounting systems are available.

The Optimist II can be accessed by switches, joystick, trackball or adapted mouse, an adaptive keyboard, voice recognition or the built-in touch screen — or any of the standard computer access methods.

The standard unit comes pre-loaded with Windows 98 and a variety of speech synthesis and AAC packages are optional.

Revisited Capacitance Switch — Zero Force
This switch requires only contact for activation, so it may be suitable for people who have little strength or ability to press a regular mechanical style switch.

The Capacitance Switch is now available with two different style plates. One contact plate is approximately match-box size, and the switch mechanism is enclosed in the box which is almost 1 cm high. The alternative red plate is larger and flatter. The switch mechanism is exposed underneath the plate.

Pictograms
These are high-visual contrast pictographs featuring white icons on a black background. This set was originally created by Subhas C. Maharaj in Canada for use with developmentally delayed individuals and became enthusiastically adopted in Sweden where the Swedish Institute of Handicapped Läromedel has increased the original set to over 900 images. Each Pictogram, with and without text, is on a CD-ROM. Images are in Windows Metafile Format (WMF) that maintain their proportions when resized. Pictograms CD-ROM contains over 1200 pictographs. A limited set is also available as peel and stick labels for those without computer access.

PROG Raincoats
Protective plastic molded covers are now available for the GEWA PROG trainable environmental control unit. These help to protect the unit against rain, liquid, and other substances which may damage it. They are supplied in pairs.

PiggyBack – New Mount for LightWRITER with Scan Module
This new mounting plate accommodates the LightWRITER with Scan Module. The units are mounted back-to-back so that the person using the system views the Scan Module and the communication partners can see the LightWRITER display. The PiggyBack mount has a 7/8 inch diameter clamp for compatibility with our mounting systems.

Melinda and John are twins. They are four years old and love reading books with their parents. While they are reading the books, John makes lots of comments about the story and the pictures. He also asks to have books read again and again. Melinda is also very interested in these reading sessions, however, until recently, she has had no way of participating which has greatly concerned her parents as they are very anxious for her to have good emergent literacy experiences to give her a head-start in learning to read and write.

Melinda has cerebral palsy. She has a few words which familiar people recognize, a range of gestures and body language, some mini-boards with picture symbols that she uses to communicate in specific situations (such as bath time) and she also has a MACAW electronic communication device. Melinda loves using her MACAW to order a meal at McDonald, to tell her brother how awful his paintings are and to join in at playtime with other children at her pre-school setting.

After visiting Melinda at home and discussing their concerns about Melinda’s emergent literacy experiences, her pre-school teacher suggested that Melinda also use her MACAW to participate more in story time. Her parents thought this was a great idea and began working on an overlay for Melinda to use during book reading. They found this quite easy, as they made a list of the phrases that John used and then picked the most common ones to be included on Melinda’s overlay. The overlay was modified after a month, removing a couple of phrases which she had never used and including some new ones which they thought would be more appropriate.

Melinda is now able to participate much more in story time than in the past — she and John can take turns choosing books, and both of them are able to ask questions. Melinda is also now able to ask for her favorite books to be read again, and again, and again — all of which are important parts of gaining emergent literacy success and which are not available to many children who don’t have functional speech. Melinda’s parents are delighted, and report that Melinda has become even more interested in books than before — asking almost any adult who comes in the house to read with her!

Her parents are so impressed with Melinda’s increased participation and interest in story time that they have also scanned some of her favorite pictures from picture books and put them on the MACAW as an overlay. They have recorded messages about the pictures so that Melinda is able to talk about these books to her friends and extended family.

Melinda’s teacher also reports that Melinda’s interest in text and other children’s writing has increased dramatically, and they shortly hope to put a voice recognition package on their computer so that Melinda will be able to “dictate” some of her favorite stories using her MACAW.

Click here to view Melinda's overlay. To use this overlay on a MACAW, you need to save this picture to your hard disk, or print it directly from your browser.

Innovative Use of Voice Output Devices — This year we have heard of some creative applications of MACAWs and Parakeets. In some hospitals devices are being set-up with languages other than English and being used to assist patients to understand questions or instructions in their own language. The care giver or nurse presses the key on the device and it speaks the message for the patient to hear in his/her language.

Auditory Scanning with Cues — Auditory scanning is a mode of accessing devices with a single switch. In this mode, the available messages are heard, so if the user is unable to see the display, he/she can communicate independently by activating the switch when he/she hears the desired message. Usually the message is then repeated at a louder volume for the listener to hear.

The MACAW 3 or MACAW Green family has always had 3 modes of auditory scanning — non-repeat, repeat and personal headset modes. The 'repeat' and 'personal headset' modes can now be set with an auditory cue so the user only hears a key word or cue prior to making a selection. The whole message is then spoken out.

Software version X1.32 is required in order to use this feature. To arrange for a software upgrade, please contact ZYGO. Please note that the MACAW II cannot be upgraded to a MACAW 3 and, while it has auditory scanning if it is an SC model, it does not have the headset mode it cannot have the auditory cue feature added.

Telephone Tips — The LightWRITER with DECtalk speech can be understood over the phone. Since some unfamiliar people may be surprised to hear a synthesized voice, it may be necessary to store messages such as, "I am talking to you using a computer voice." and "Please don't hang-up." If the aforementioned 'strategy' messages have been stored, they can be spoken out readily and repeated if necessary. Feedback from our LightWRITER customers suggests that calls to unfamiliar people are likely to be unsuccessful and calls to answering machines may not allow enough time to type messages — so prepared messages stored in memory will be essential. Some people find that certain voices such as Paul, may be more intelligible over the phone and it may be necessary to slow down the speech and set speech gaps. If you find a particular set-up that works for the phone, you can save these settings as a Set-Up Group. See the manual for help on saving a Set-Up Group. Once saved, you can quickly move between your regular talking set-ups and your preferred settings for talking on the phone. One of our customers suggests use of short words and avoidance of abbreviations.

A special feature is available for clarification over the phone. Press SHIFT then REPLAY to spell the last word. It can also be useful when talking on the phone to prepare your conversation and store it in memory. If you store sentences using periods and question marks to separate them, you can pause the speech by pressing the REPLAY button. So you could store something similar to this ....
"Hi, it's X here. (Pause) Can I speak to Y? (Pause) Hi Y, how are you? (Pause) I'm good, thanks. I'm calling about our appointment."
This call can be stored in one memory. The conversations can be controlled by pausing the voice output as described here, and waiting for your friend to respond in the pauses.

To use the LightWRITER over the phone, it is easiest to use a speaker phone. The LightWRITER can sit on the table next to the speaker phone and the voices can transmit through the air. If you cannot sit close enough to the phone, an external speaker on a lead can be plugged into the LightWRITER. This enables the sound output to be positioned closer to the phone.

Question: My MACAW is "locked" and the Message key number 11 and the RECORD/PLAY LED which is located below F•5 key are stuck ON.

Answer: When the Message key number 11 is stuck ON, it means low battery. Follow these steps to solve your problem:
Does the unit work with the charger ON?
YES, then reset the unit and recharge it. The unit hasn't been fully charged, it normally takes about 8 hours for a complete charge.
NO, then the charger could be defective. Follow the next step.
With the charger plugged in, you should observe these LEDs lighted. On the MACAW 3 or MACAW Green, it's a green LED on the right hand side and on the MACAW II, it's on the back of the unit. If you don't see any LEDs lighted, then your charger may be defective.

Did you know?

Repair Advice

• Always phone ZYGO first to discuss problems. Have the unit with you by the phone when you call. We will issue a Return Authorization (RA) number if the problem cannot be solved over the phone. Remember ZYGO warranty only covers manufacturers defects.
• When sending the unit for repair, pack it well in a sturdy box and write the RA number on the box. Always enclose a letter with your contact details and the description of the problem.
• Do not send the equipment to places other than authorized ZYGO repair facilities. The warranty may be voided if the unit is opened by unauthorized individuals or repair facilities.

ZYGO's Market Place — You could use this free interactive service if:

• You need to re-sell the equipment you no longer require.
• You need to purchase used equipment.

Simply click here to buy or sell a ZYGO product. This allows interested buyers to interact with sellers directly.
Please be sure to advise us of your purchase so your ZYGO Area Representative or Customer Service person may be available to assist you in how to best utilize your communication aid (from their simplest to most complex features) and answer your questions. Please call ahead for an appointment. These sessions are designed to meet individual needs and are, of course, free.