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New: Dialect — A dynamic display, speech output communication aid
The Dialect is a dedicated speech generating device designed to run a variety of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programs. Medicare assignments accepted. It is a powerful hand-held, tablet-size, communication aid that is ideal for direct selection on its 8.4 inch screen or by scanning its dynamic display. The unit's light weight 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. Speech generating software appropriate for the user is installed, and wheelchair mounting systems are available.

The Dialect can be accessed by switches, mouse, adaptive keyboards, or the built-in touch screen—any of the standard device access methods.

New: MicroPoint Pointing Device™ — Everything that's best in a pointing device.
Many computer users have limited range of motion and cannot handle a standard mouse. The MicroPoint may be a perfect solution. With its footprint of only 4-1/2" (11.4 cm) square on the desk, it is almost 1/4 of the size of an average mouse pad. It's comfortable like a mouse, stationary like a trackball, accurate like a tablet, intuitive like a touchpad, and more.

Improved: Our Funding Programs' Page has been improved. This page will assist you step by step to make navigation through the insurance process easier. ZYGO accepts Medicare and Medicaid and will also work with private insurances.

With proper documentation, ZYGO will accept Medicare assignments on the LightWRITER SL35 LQBD0, the SL86 Scanning LightWRITER, the new Dialect series of Speech generating devices, Parakeet 5, Windbag, The Grid, Pictocom and most accessories.

Sam is a 15-year-old young man with Autism. He attends his neighborhood high school and is placed in the special education program. Sam is integrated into several academic and recreational classes. He is able to speak; however it is difficult for those unfamiliar to him to understand him, especially when he gets excited. He also has some functional literacy skills and writes at a first grade level. Letters and words are extremely interesting to him and he likes to spend his free time typing on the computer or copying letters and words. An Augmentative Communication Evaluation was done on Sam to determine whether or not he would be appropriate for that type of technology. The Polyana with Pocket Windbag communication software was recommended for several reasons:

• provides Sam with communication software in two formats - generative writing and instant pre-programmed phrases
• provides Sam with a portable device which is "adult" looking
• the Microsoft Pocket Outlook software gives Sam a calendar, tasks scheduler, and contacts data base which assist him in organizing his daily activities and being more independent in keeping his appointments
• the Polyana also provides Internet access which Sam uses in order to complete some of his school assignments and e-mail his friends
• comes with Microsoft Pocket Office products which allow Sam a form of written communication for his homework.

Sam uses the Pocket Windbag software for communicating to people who do not know him. He can generate conversations in the "chat box" window and has access to instant messages in the "phrase bank" window. The DEC-talk speech synthesizer provides the most normal sounding adult male voice available. The Polyana comes pre-loaded with Microsoft Pocket Outlook which contains a Calendar program as well as Contacts, Tasks and Inbox programs. Sam's teacher programs his schedule into the Calendar to give him a visual reminder of what his day is like and uses the reminder feature to alert Sam as to when the events are to occur. This provides Sam with independence and responsibility in keeping his own schedule. The Contacts program allows Sam to keep important phone numbers and addresses which he otherwise could not remember. This acts as a safety feature in case he needs to call for help and otherwise would not remember the phone number. The Tasks software allows Sam's teachers to input a "things to do" list. This is where homework is put, reminders for his parents, and general reminders for Sam to do during or after school. These three features provide Sam the opportunity to attend high school with his peers while independently managing his schedule and responsibilities.

The Polyana also has Internet access so Sam can complete some of his homework. By having Internet available at school, his teachers and aides can assist him in completing assignments before going home. E-mailing friends and receiving e-mail is one of his favorite things. Due to Sam's love for letters and words, he looks forward to getting e-mail and likes to read it over and over again. He is developing literacy skills while replying to his friends' e-mail messages. Teachers and aides sometimes send him e-mail messages reminding him of homework due.

The Windows CE platform comes with the Microsoft Pocket Office products in CE format. Sam uses Microsoft Pocket Word to give him access to written communication. This is the format in which he turns in most of his homework.

The Polyana, with all of the Windows CE program features was the best choice for Sam. Not only did the AAC team look at his communication needs, but they also looked at his educational, social and medical needs as well. The Augmentative Communication Team also liked the long battery life (up to 10 hours) of the Polyana and the carry case, which can be purchased along with it.

Dorothy, one of our LightWRITER users was happy to share the following story with us.

"I was a very active person in my community, volunteering, attending social functions, and doing things for my church. Then I was stricken with ALS or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. My speech is now totally gone and the disease is progressing, but I am lucky. I can still walk and get around. I finished out my term as President of the local Hospital Auxiliary and even used my LightWRITER to make my short talk at meetings and other commitments.

I was working at a local Convalescent Hospital as the receptionist working four afternoons a week. Of course, as my voice gave out I was not able to do that any more but was able to begin doing other chores in the business office. My LightWRITER enabled me to communicate with everyone and even say "Good Morning" and "How are you today?" to the patients and they love the attention. I feel I am still accomplishing something useful with my life and making people happy brings such a good feeling. It encourages me to keep going and because of the LightWRITER I will be able to continue with my job and the feeling of accomplishment."

A month later, Dorothy wrote to us again.

"LightWRITER to the rescue again. I had a heart attack on May 10th, was hospitalized five days and came home and then back again for removal of a blood clot to save my foot. I feel so blessed that I had my LightWRITER with me all the way, such a feeling of security to be able to communicate with everyone. My family was there but it's great to be able to be heard also. I had my LightWRITER in my hand in the ambulance, emergency room and I.C.U. People are so amazed to see this machine. You really have to get out there and let people know about this machine. Even doctors, nurses, people that handle medical equipment do not know about these machines. The LightWRITER is such an outstanding machine, everyone should know about it."

The previous two articles present an interesting comparison of what people would like to do with their communication aids. Sam describes being able to access a multitude of computer functions—calendar, task scheduler, Internet access, and output on a full-size printer—in addition to being able to talk with his Polyana. Dorothy, on the other hand, illustrates the absolute primary benefit of LightWRITERs—conversation.

There is little doubt about the efficacy of communicating with a LightWRITER. Its forward facing display draws the listener(s) into conversation and supplements visually what the synthesized speech is saying. Imagine the naturalness of telling the taxi driver where you need to go, or ordering a meal at a restaurant simply by typing your wants onto the unit that rests comfortably on the table. The LightWRITER is unquestionably excellent for situations such as those.

But, if we choose to use a LightWRITER, what about the other computer needs? Should we look to a computer-based communication device to have it all-in-one? A strong option is to have one of each, the LightWRITER and a computer! The LightWRITER can be used for what it does best—communication— and the computer would be used for those other things.

The base computer for the Polyana is a NEC MobilePro. It is a Windows CE device with a half-size screen and packed with computer options—look at Sam's article for details—and it costs about 1/4 of the price of the LightWRITER. The two devices are similarly sized, with the MobilePro being quite a bit thinner and easier to stash in a pocket or purse.

This combination of a LightWRITER AND MobilePro appears to be the best of both worlds. Some things to consider are:

• The LightWRITER excels in face-to-face conversation.
• Direct selection of the keyboards would be the means of access for both devices.
• The MobilePro's keyboard is better suited for touch-typing and its multi-line display is much more effective for writing.
• The cost of Polyana with Pocket Windbag is less than a LightWRITER and it offers an on-screen keyboard for scanning.
• Medicare assignment is accepted for the LightWRITER, while it isn't for the Polyana. With Medicare support for the LightWRITER payment, the user's outlay for the combination of a LightWRITER and a MobilePro is less than 60% of the cost of the Polyana system alone.
  Note: Polyana is a NEC MobilePro that has been modified by ZYGO to meet the needs of an AAC unit.

Think about it. Discuss it with our Customer Service Personnel if there are additional questions or concerns.

This overlay shows how an overlay can be set up on the Macaw with recordings located in "hotspots". The locations and the words for each hotspot can be found in the overlay "poolscr.gif".

This type of overlay is really motivating for many people. It offers a very simple and concrete way of telling others about major events which have happened in your life. The beginning phrase for the
conversation is recorded under the symbol in the bottom right hand corner. Other comments are recorded under the part of the picture that they relate to.

And the best part of this overlay is that it allows us to do two things that most of us enjoy - telling others about ourselves and showing them our photos!

This overlay was created using a photo taken on a digital camera. You could also scan a photo for use, or have a film developed onto a CD.

Download the pool picture and the source file here. For printing the picture and the source file, set your printer to landscape and select the "fit to page" option.

The AAC sessions focus on latest products and services in the AAC area as well as new product announcements and demonstrations.

CAMA Tours

Question: Why do I receive an error message when I try to license my Sensory Software program?

Answer: Since licensing the program needs to write to the floppy disk provided, you need to leave the floppy disk not write protected (unlocked.)

Question: Why doesn't ZYGO list prices on the web?

Answer: ZYGO is an international company. By the time a product has been shipped to other countries, it's been through power supply changes, customs, duty charges, currency exchanges, shipping, taxes, etc... Therefore, prices vary greatly from country to country. Listing prices confuses and often antagonizes customers.
Also dealers that sell our products throughout the United States may change prices due to the cost of any added services that they provide with the product.

Did you know?

ZYGO offers a RENTAL PROGRAM on any of our products for as few as two weeks. This would allow the user to try our equipment before committing herself/himself to a purchase or long-term decision. This offer is available only in the United States. For rentals outside the United States, contact ZYGO's international agent.

You can share your story of creative use of our products. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply click on your Reply button and write UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject area.