Peds Assistive Technology

Mouse Button

button on top of the mouse

Augmentative communication

communication modes such as sign language, gestures, and communication aids that are used to supplement oral language skills

Inverse Scanning

scanning method in which the user is required to hold the switch closed to start the cursor moving across an aray -user continues to press and hold the switch until the cursor reaches the desired item -only then does the user release the switch

Item-by-item scanning

scanning procedures that move the cursor one by one through every item in the scanning array

Large print software

software that provides large print on either the computer monitor or paper

Row-column scanning

most used with AAC systems -scanning procedures quickly move the cursor by first highlighting an entire row of symbols, then single symbols in the selected row

Joystick

peripheral device with a movable stick used to provide 2d control to computers for applications ranging from games to graphics software

Interface

physical point of communication between the computer and peripheral devices

Blissymbols

pictographic symbol system developed by charles bliss

Pre-stored messages

pre-programming frequently used words, phrases, and sentences into a computer of AAC system for quick retrieval with symbol codes

Digitized speech

technique stores a real person's actual words and sentences in the form of "digitzed" sounds -these sounds are recorded by a peripheral device that converts sound input from a stereo system, an instrument, or a microphone into a form that the computer can process, store, and play back -the sound quality is excellent, but this technique requires large amounts of RAM and storage space to sample and converts words and phases into digitized speech

Traditional Orthography

written language text

Dvorak Keyboard

A keyboard layout that was designed to increase typing speech and efficiency by locating the keys used most often in the home row

Keyboard

A peripheral used to input data by pressing keys

Group-item scanning

Scanning procedures that move the cursor by highlighting groups of symbols, then single items in the selected groups

Home row

The row on a keyboard that contains the keys to which four fingers of each hand return as a base.

Automatic linear scanning

a common scanning method in which the user presses the switch to bring up array -cursor then starts moving across the array of selections using either one-item-at-a-time or group-item scanning -user waits until the cursor is on the desired item and then presses the switch

Large Print Display

a hardware device that enlarges the image on the computer monitor

Alternative keyboard

a hardware device that replaces or works in conjuction to the standard keyboard and is positioned to meet the specific needs of the user

Speech recognition

a process whereby the computer learns to understand discrete sounds or words -accomplished by training the recognition system with repetitions of individual words or phrase. -template for each word is store and then saved to a vocab file which can contain up to thousands of words

Yes/No Verbal Scannign

a scanning method in which the listener points to all possible choices while the speaker responds yes or no to each selection

Mouse

a small hardware device used to position a cursor on the computer screen -rolled around on a flat surface next to the computer

Braille

a system of writing for individuals who are visually impaired that uses letters, numbers, and punctuation marks made up of raised dot patterns

Direct Selection

access method that allows the user to indicate choices directly by pointing with a body part of technology aid to make a selection -most rapid method of entering information into the computer

Head Stick

adaptive pointers that attach to helmets or other bracing systems on the head

Communication Board

allows expressive communication by pointing or gazing at printed word, symbol, or picture -these systems do not have spoken or written output

Mouse emulator

alternative access method that replaces the physical movement tasks associated with the mouse -alternative keyboards, touch tablets, or switches

Mouth Stick

an adaptive pointer that attaches to a mouth guard that is held by clamping it between the teeth

Icon

an image that represents an object, a concept or a message

Switch toys

battery or radio-controlled toys that have been adapted for use with a single switch

Taped Speech

cassette tapes with precorded speech output for use in AAC systems

Dynamic Display

communication aid or computer displays of symbols that change constantly based on previous system selections

Static Display

communication aid or computer displays of symbols that never change or vary

Aided Communication

communication modes that require equipment in addition to communicator's body ex. pencil and paper, typewriters, computers, headsticks, augmentative communication aides

Unaided Communication

communication modes that use only the communicator's body -vocalizations, gestures, facial expressions, and head nods

Alternative Communication

communication modes, such as sign language, gestures, and communication aides that are used to replace oral language skills

Dedicated Augmentative Communication Aids

communication systems specifically designed to operate as communication aids

High-technology augmentative communication aids

computerized AAC systems that use specifically written software and have either printed or spoken output, or both

Compatibility

condition allowing hardware devices or software to work with each other

Bandwidth

difference between the lowest and highest frequencies that can be transmitted by an analog or digital communication channel -analog signals are expressed in hertz or cycles/seconds -digital pulses are expressed in bitss per second

Adaptive computer access

hardware and/or software created or modified to allow persons to use a computer with or without its standard input or output devices -ex. alternative keyboards, touch boards, braille, screen enlargement, speech synthesis, voice recognition, switch access throughs the game port, or switches with scanning

Braille Input

hardware device that allows input to computer via a Braille-style keyboard or specific keys on a standard keyboard that function in braille patterns

Key guard

hardware device that covers a standard or alternative keyboard -allow users to slide a pointer over the surface without accidentally activating keys

Switch

hardware device that either opens or closes an electronic circuit, controlling the flow of electricity to an electronic device

Keyboard emulator

hardware device that interfaces with a computer and allows input from a source other than the keyboard

Braille output

hardware device that produces hard copy Braille, or paperless refresh Braille as output from the computer

Scanning

indirect method of computer access -process entails stepping through choices that the user selects by switch activation -scanning involves the use of an array, a keyboard emulator, and one or more switches

Touch screen

input device that senses the position of a finger on the computer monitor

Indirect Selection

input method that involves intermediate selection steps between users and system they are controlling

Mini keyboard

keyboards provide smaller key surface area for input, reducing the motor requirements for making keystrokes

Symbols

language units that have shared meaning between the user and listener -photographs, drawings, letters, and written text can serve as symbols

Menu

list options from which the user can choose

Step Linear Scanning

manual scanning method of moving the cursor through an array and selecting items -user presses a switch to bring up the array -user then presses and releases the switch to move the cursor across the array item by item -process is repeated until the cursor reaches the desired item

Word prediction

memory resident utility softward that provides keyboard assistace

Sticky Key

memory resident utility software that provides keyboard assistance

Low-technology augmentative communication aids

simple devices without written or spoken output and without programming capabilities -nonelectronic or electronic

Synthesized speech

spoken computer or communication aid output that uses partial numerical waveform parameters representing the formant frequencies of speech

Pictographic Symbols

symbols set that have picture representations of concrete concepts as well as abstract concepts

Text-to-speech synthesis

synthesized speech technique that defines and stores the phonemes or sounds of English language as a set of mathematical rules and procedures