Technology
Funding
Augmentative Communication, Inc. "The funding of speech generating devices varies, depending upon the laws and policies of an country, province or state. This section contains some funding information and funding resources." http://www.augcominc.com/index.cfm/funding.htm
Funding Programs: Medicaid-Only, Medicare-Only, Medicare and Medicaid-Both. "ZYGO's funding staff provides assistance to clients who need help navigating the complex healthcare insurance system." http://www.zygo-usa.com/medical.htm
Funding Submission Assistant, Prentke Romich Company (PRC). On-line tool to help "provide efficiency and accuracy of funding submissions with third parties ... gives you visibility and convenience in initiating and monitoring the entire funding process." https://funding.prentrom.com/
Insurance Funding for AAC Devices: Instructions for SLPs – Test for Medicare Deference. Describes a "two-step strategy intended to decrease 'coverage based' insurance denials of AAC device funding requests: i.e., on the basis that AAC devices are 'not covered.'" National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership. http://www.resnaprojects.org/nattap/goals/other/funding/AACdevices.html
Medicare Funding of AAC Devices - Device Coverage. Page currently under construction. http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/index-31319.php.html
Medicare To Cover AAC Devices, Illinois Assistive Technology Program website. "January 19, 2001 by Lewis Golinker, Esq., Director, Assistive Technology Law Center, 202 East State Street, Suite 507, Ithaca, New York 14850. This Medicare policy change as it currently stands has an important flaw. While many AAC devices were covered, other types of AAC devices are not covered. As a result, the procedure to recommend an AAC device has become more complicated than it need be. Establishing eligibility, Which devices are covered, Reimbursement. http://www.iltech.org/medicareaac.asp
SGD Funding Solutions (SGD stands for Speech Generating Device, also known as AAC Device); from Assistive Technology Law Center. Includes Funding Fast Facts, Funding Programs, AAC Report Coach, General Resources. http://www.aacfundinghelp.com/fast_facts.html
Used Equipment: If you're in North Carolina or the surrounding area, the Partnerships in Assistive Technology Exchange Post may be a source of affordable technology. http://www.ncexchangepost.org/. ABLEDATA also has a classified ads page at http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=91185&ksectionid=19328 and a list of other similar sites at http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=113573&top=16039&ksectionid=19326.
Comparing Devices and Equipment
Enabling Devices Communicator Feature Comparison. Chart includes photos, costs, and features for various devices. http://enablingdevices.com/files/content/ComparisonChart.pdf
Strategies for Picking a Switch, Illinois Assistive Technology Program website. http://www.iltech.org/pick_switch.asp
ABLEDATA (http://www.abledata.com/) "provides objective information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States." Products, Resources, Library, Consumer Forum. Information on many augmentative and alternative communication devices: Communicators (communication boards and books, communicators general, direct selection, encoding, scanning). http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=10837&deep=2&trail=22,10825
AAC Device Features, Augmentative Communication News – articles on-line at Augmentative Communication, Inc. "Manufacturers of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices are bringing more computer memory, smaller components, intelligible speech, high-resolution displays and color graphics to our field. They are revolutionizing our tools and making communication more accessible to people with severe speaking and writing impairments. I asked manufacturers, master clinicians and developers what features of AAC devices they are most excited about this year. They said really intelligible speech (synthesized and digitized), dynamic displays, auditory scanning and increased portability. This issue explores features such as really intelligible speech (synthesized and digitized), dynamic displays, auditory scanning and increased portability in more detail and provides information about devices which use them. Dynamic Displays; Speech Output; Auditory Scanning; Portability; Companies & Devices; References; Resources. http://www.augcominc.com/
National Assistive Technology Research Institute (NATRI), University of Kentucky. Video clips and descriptions of various devices: input devices, communication aids, mobility aids, alternative keyboard, switches, visual aids, workplace technology, software. http://natri.uky.edu/resmenu.html
Information on Specific Devices and Equipment
Brain Twitter Project Offers Hope to Paralyzed Patients, Richard Allen Greene, CNN. Report on a project at University of Wisconsin-Madison that allows one to send a Twitter message using "just a red cap fitted with electrodes that monitor brain activity, hooked up to a computer flashing letters on a screen." http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/twitter.locked.in/index.html
Communication Independence for the Neurologically Impaired (CINI) website. EyeLink (low-tech communication aid); Device Guide (chart) with Manufacturer, Platform, Selection Technique, etc.; Head-Controlled Mice; Eyegaze Systems; Communication Software; Speech Amplifiers; Dedicated Communication Devices; Laptop, Tablet, and Personal Digital Assistant Communication-Based Packages. http://www.cini.org/
CandLE Wooden Letter Board. Strong wooden QWERTY letter board with built in key guard using yellow on black design for better visual acuity. http://www.contactcandle.co.uk/page3.htm
Gus Communications, Inc. Developers and distributors of AAC hardware and software. http://www.gusinc.com/
Talking Photo Album. A "simple, inexpensive, easy-to-use digitized speech device". http://www.augcominc.com/index.cfm/talking_photo_album.htm
Buddy Board System: Non-electronic communication boards with QWERTY keyboard on front and boxes with comments on back for quick communication; optional keyguard. http://www.buddyspeak.com
Tobii Assistive Technology Inc. Developer of innovative hardware and software solutions for people with disabilities, including eye controlled communication. http://www.assistivetech.com/corporate/home.aspx
Intellitools – Learning Technologies for PreK-8 Classrooms. Tools for teaching reading, writing, mathematics and for providing access to the computer; includes Classroom Suite 4, Intellikeys (adaptive keyboards), switch access products, and other tools. http://www.intellitools.com
AlphaSmart by Renaissance Learning. Laptop computer designed for classroom use, battery-operated, highly portable. Models Neo1, Neo2, Dana, Dana Wireless. http://www.alphasmart.com
Sahara Touch-It Tablet, Slate PC, Pen Tablet. Tablet PCs and Ultra-mobile PCs by TableKiosk® with passive resistive touch screen and/or screens that support full handwritin recognition. http://www.tabletkiosk.com
OtterBox. Rugged, protective cases for iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Palm devices, PC, and Tablet. "Our cases are dedicated to all the klutzy, spontaneous, chaotic, graceless individuals who have broken a device or valuable due to their active lifestyle ... We take the idea of a protective case to the next level so customers can find the ideal solution for any work environment or adventure!" http://www.otterbox.com
Turning Point Therapy and Technology, Inc. Keyguards and protective film overlays for keyboards (AlphaSmart, computer keyboards, and other devices) http://www.turningpointtechnology.com
LightWriter A relatively small electronic aid which converts typed text to speech. The newest model also has native SMS and environmental control capability. Manufactured in the UK by Toby Churchill Ltd. http://www.toby-churchill.com/ Dynavox Technologies is the sole distributor in the US and Canada. http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/lightwriter/
Source for Big Keys keyboard http://www.rjcooper.com
Assistivetech.net: National Public Website on Assistive Technology, Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access, Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture. Extensive website with search feature: Browse by Function, Browse by Activity, Browse by Vendor. http://www.assistivetech.net/about/
Closing the Gap Online and print magazine "designed to assist you in locating, comparing and reviewing the thousands of products on the market." http://www.closingthegap.com
A Multitude of Uses for Switches, Beach Center on Disability. http://www.beachcenter.org/resource_library/beach_resource_detail_page.aspx?intResourceID=72
Mayer-Johnson LLC Developer of the Boardmaker family of picture communication symbol software products: Boardmaker Plus, Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro. http://www.mayer-johnson.com/MainBoardmaker.aspx
Angled Activity and Writing Surfaces. OT Ideas, Inc. Tools and Learning Products to assist Occupational Therapists and Teachers. http://www.otideas.com/Items/AngledWritingSurfaces.htm
RJ Cooper and Associates. Developer of software and hardware for persons with special needs. http://www.rjcooper.com
See additional links to assistive technology sites at http://iconservices.org/ourlinks.html#Assistive