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Presenter(s)
David Niemeijer
AssistiveWare
Van Speijkstraat 73-D
Amsterdam, NH 1057 GN Netherlands
Email: d.niemeijer@assistiveware.com
Mel Dashner
Origin Instruments Corporation
854 Greenview Drive
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Email: mdashner@orin.com
In this workshop, participants will be able to get hands-on experience with Proloquo, an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and speech feedback solution for Mac OS X. A hands-on experience with this flexible, multi-purpose and multi-lingual speech solution will be useful for any conference participant interested in accessibility on Mac OS X. The objective of the session is that participants learn how to use both basic and advanced features of the software and get an understanding of how the software can be put to use most effectively for people with different abilities.
Proloquo is a multilingual speech solution that works with Apple's build-in voices, but also with the high quality Acapela Multimedia voices (these currently include UK & US English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Russian and other languages). Proloquo is a multipurpose speech application providing a whole range of text to speech features that can be tailored to the user's individual needs:
1) In it is most simple usage, text can be selected in an application and can be read out-loud by Proloquo.
2) Proloquo can also be used to echo text typed into any application, speaking each letter, word, sentence, and/or paragraph as it is typed. This works for physical keyboards as well as with the SwitchXS and KeyStrokes on-screen keyboards.
3) Proloquo can also be used as an advanced speech engine for SwitchXS and KeyStrokes, adding the capability to speak with high quality voices in various languages and also providing control over speech rate, pitch and exceptions.
4) Finally, Proloquo can be used as a full-fledged communication solution for people who cannot speak. Users can type text into Proloquo and let it speak (parts of) that text, or simply define sets of custom words and phrases that are spoken with a simple mouse click.
Proloquo enables children with learning difficulties to hear what they are writing helping them to improve grammar and spelling. People who cannot speak can use Proloquo to turn their computer into a versatile communication system, reducing the need to use both a computer (for writing and other tasks) and a dedicated AAC device (for speaking) at the same time.
The session will offer a unique occasion to learn from and exchange ideas with, David Niemeijer, the lead developer of the software. The session will cover both introductory and advanced topics. The session will begin with an introduction of Proloquo, highlighting the four different ways the software can be used: (1) to read out-loud text selected in any application for users with visual impairments, (2) to echo text typed into any application, speaking each letter, word, sentence, and/or paragraph as it is typed to aid users with visual impairments and children with learning disabilities, (3) as an advanced speech engine for SwitchXS (scanning on-screen keyboard) and KeyStrokes (on-screen keyboard), adding the capability to speak with high quality voices in various languages for users with physical impairments, (4) as a full-fledged AAC solution for people who cannot speak.
Next, some topics for in depth exploration will be proposed and a quick inventory will be made to see whether participants have any other topics they would like to see covered. These topics will then be covered in a step-by-step fashion guiding the participants through basic and advanced features. During this hands-on, questions are welcomed. Towards the end of the session there will be some time for individual exploration (with the presenters walking around to give personal guidance). The session will be concluded with a short Q&A.
Newcomers will benefit from hands-on experience of the basic features. Advanced users will appreciate learning how to define exception dictionaries, how to define sets of personal communication words and phrases, how to combine Proloquo with SwitchXS for switch users who are unable to speak or need speech cueing, how to customize Proloquo for specific disabilities and much more. Where appropriate, the session will also cover the built-in accessibility features of Mac OS X or direct people to solutions developed by other companies. The focus of the workshop will be on how to make effective use of the software and will be adapted where possible to the specific interests of the participants.
The session will be organized jointly by AssistiveWare and Origin Instruments Corporation. AssistiveWare has developed the software covered by the session and Origin Instruments Corporation, a long-time CSUN exhibitor, is the North American distributor of the software and also the maker of the HeadMouse Extreme. More information on the software is available at http://www.assistiveware.com
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