A new item in CALL is the Hue HD Studio which includes a webcam and animation software. The animation software (Zu3D) is available for both Mac and PC and the webcam comes in 5 different colours. The webcam can be bought separately so can be used, for example, with other animation software such as I Can Animate from Kudlian, in videoconferencing (GlowMeet) or even as a (very) cheap visualiser or document camera to share documents, science experiments, pupils artwork etc with the whole class. It plugs into the USB port either directly or for greater flexibility usingthe supplied 1.8m cable, has a good quality picture and an internal microphone which picks up sound well. There is also a button on the back of the camera which brings up the snapshot function when plugged into a compouter using the supplied AMCap camera software (WebCam Monitor on a Mac). This can also be used to record video.

Go to the Hue Animation website to see a video of a group of young children exploring the Zu3D software and making their own short video. If you buy the package it even comes with some plasticine to get you started but using plastic models and lego can be quicker to get going. The Zu3D website has ideas for using the software in the curriculum (Learning Tools), a useful video tutorial and a link to download a demo version to try it out.

Quite a number of schools in Scotland already have other animation software such as I Can Animate form Kudlian Software. I Can Animate is available for Mac, PC and as an App on the iPhone and iPad. The Kudlian website has links to a tutorial, a number of resources and a link to download a version that can be used for 5 days before purchase (or removal).

For an opportunity for hands on training CALL Scotland is running a half day of workshops on Saturday 1st October and I Can Animate is one of the sessions to choose from. Go to the CALL Scotland training area for more information.

CALL has recently added the Tobii C12 and the Tobii C15 communication aids to its equipment loan bank. These are both high-end, fully featured PC Windows 7 based communication aids, that can be controlled in many ways, including the built-in touch screen, keyboard, mouse, headmouse, switches, joystick, or the optional eye gaze control unit, the Tobii CEye which slots on to the bottom of the device.

The C12 and the C15 are essentially the same, except for size. The C12 has a 12.1” touch screen and weighs 6.5lbs. (2.9 Kgs), while the C15 is larger, with a 15” touch screen and weighing 8.9lbs (4 Kgs). Both are ‘mountable’ on a table or wheelchair mount, rather than ‘portable’ (N.B. adding the eye gaze control unit increases the weight further and means that the device must be mounted – can’t use the integrated stand.)

Both devices come with Tobii’s own communication aid software installed (Tobii Communicator with Symbol Stix symbols), and the possibility of using the Tobii Sono Suite (for text and computer access). However, CALL has also installed The Grid 2 software, which is more familiar to many users (and has Widgit symbols built-in). PCS symbols can be added. Users can choose which software they prefer to use for personal communication via symbols and/or text. Either software gives access to e-mail, text messaging and chat, internet access and access to other computer applications. CALL has added the Scottish Voices, Heather and Stuart, to both devices.

These devices seem to be proving popular across the AAC community. The Tobii hardware offers: long-lasting hot swappable batteries; powerful processor (Intel Core Duo U2500); shock-mounted hard disk drive (60 GB); silent operation; 4 powerful stereo speakers; and a built-in camera. Infra-red environmental control facilities are also built in. The OS appears to be stable. The devices have a streamlined look, with a moisture-sealed surface, and no buttons on the front to distract the user. There are interchangeable side panels in different colours (though – small gripe – these don’t seem to fit too well, on our C15.)

The C15 might be a replacement for the original My Tobii P10 eye gaze computer, (no longer made) in that the large 15” screen area allows display of more symbols and text - or larger, more legible symbols that are easier to see and select. The large screen also provides more screen estate for running other Windows applications.

(But if you only want to run Windows applications, and don’t want a communication aid, the other P10 replacement you might want to look at is the PC Eye - which CALL has also just bought for the loan bank – see separate CALL Blog item, coming soon!)

The C12 is comparable in size & weight to its nearest AAC competitor, the DynaVox V Max + (which also allows attachment of an eye gaze unit) but for d irect access users, the C12 is significantly bigger and heavier than the DynaVox Maestro or the Vantage Lite.

If a user can access the smaller device, the C12, successfully, it is obviously desirable to have the most compact device possible, and also means the user’s face is not as ‘blocked off’ from communication partners, as it might be by a big device (better for wheelchair driving, too).

As with all CALL’s comp lex communication aids, these devices will be available on loan to CALL assess ment clients (as a priority) and to others who have undergone training in their use. However, these devices are on ‘restricted’ loan in that they will be being used a lot by CALL for assessment, and for demonstrations and training, so not available to people who might just want to ‘have a look’. (NB. The CEye eye gaze control unit is a separate equipment item, and CALL only has one of these, so it can only be attached to the C12 or the C15 at any given time, not both.)

Tobii S32 Scan

The Tobii S32 comes in Touch and Scan models. CALL has the Scan model, which is more expensive but has more features, so is good for assessments.

The Scan model can be used with direct touch to the buttons and a set of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 or 32 keyguards, which come with it , or by 1 or 2 switch scanning.

The S32 Scan plays back pre-recorded messages, or IR signals and environmental controls and has up to 60 hours of recording time.

It works by using a barcode system, so you can record hundreds of messages or sounds into the device, but it will only play back messages that relate to the overlay that is inserted at the time.

Overlays are made using Tobii SymbolMate software, which comes with the device and has to be used to make the overlays (rather than e.g. Boardmaker), as it prints out a unique barcode along the top of the overlay so that the correct recordings can be recognised by the device.

Symbolmate comes with over 15,000 Symbolstix symbols, but also supports PCS, Widgit and other symbol sets, which need to be purchased separately. CALL's Symbolmate software uses the Symbolstix symbols.

There are a variety of switch access settings and auditory recorded prompts can also be used for those with processing or visual difficulties.

The scan light is a small green light at the top right of the cell, which is not especially clear or easy to follow.

The device does have some nice additional features like 'function cueing' where you can have from 2 to 6 buttons pressed in sequence and then spoken out in full at the end (to encourage sentence building). However, it is a rather expensive for a paper-based recorded speech device and requires getting familiar with new overlay-making software and keeping track of all the overlays which are created.

Tobii Communication Devices

Tobii are best known for their 'MyTobii' eye gaze technology, but actually make a range of devices. 

• the original P10 eyegaze computer
• the new C12 and  C15 communication aids
• CEye eye gaze control unit (for use with C12 and C15)
• the PCEye control unit for eye gaze access to a computer
• portable communication aid called the C8 (no eye gaze access)
• medium tech aid with recorded speech called the S32

CALL have recently purchased this whole range of devices, which are available on 'restricted loan' to assessment clients and will also be used for demonstrations and training.

The following few blogs will give an overview of each of the devices, what they can do and who they may be suitable for.

Tobii C8 communication aid

The Tobii C8 is a computer based communication aid with an 8.4 inch (20.5cm) touchscreen. It is lightweight (1.8kg) and powerful and can be used either as a portable or wheelchair mounted device. It has long battery life ( 6hrs ) and also has hot swappable batteries so you can charge the device without having to turn it off and take it away from the user. The interchangeable coloured side panels make it easy to customise (green, pink, blue, purple) and the two powerful stereo speakers give the C8 great sound quality. It has a stand and a removable carry strap, but no built-in handle.

The main difference between the C8 and the larger C12 and C15 devices is that it has 2 speakers (they have 4) and that while the C8 can be used with a variety of access methods (direct touch, 1 and 2 switch, joystick, etc)  it cannot accommodate eye gaze access (whereas the C12 and C15 can).

This device could be suitable for users who need a light-weight portable device with synthetic speech and who would like to use additional Windows based software and Sapi 5 Scottish voices, which cannot be used with designated communication devices at a similar level e.g. Vantage Lite.

The C8 comes with Tobii Communicator Standard edition package, which includes several communication programs allowing communication using text or with over 15,000 Symbolstix symbols. The CALL device includes the upgrade, Tobii Communicator Premium, which includes email, text messaging and environmental control. Acapela voices are included with the device and you can also use recorded speech, if required. The device also has a built-in camera so that the user can take photos and use them on their communication pages.

As the C8 is Windows 7 based, other communication software can also be installed and CALL's C8 has the Grid 2 as an alternative option to Tobii Communicator. Being Windows based also means that Sapi 5 voices like 'Scottish Heather' and the soon to be released 'Scottish Stuart' voice are installed on this device ready for use, as well as on the C12 and C15.

CALL now has a large bank of netbooks and our latest edition is the Toshiba NB250. A good little netbook which is light weight, cheap (£225 via the Procurement Scotland contract), long 8 hour battery life and relatively fast if you are using one or two programs. Note that netbooks are not designed for multi tasking and so wont handle lots of programs running at the same time. This is because of the Intel Atom processor which is limited due to heat output in such a small package. CALL has installed Windows XP on all the netbooks since even Windows 7 (starter) is extremely sluggish due to the type of processor.

Basic specification:

• 1Gb Ram;
• 160Gb Hard Drive;
• Windows XP Pro;
• 10.1" screen;
• 6 cell battery (up to 8 hour batter life);
• 1.33Kg weight.

They are particularly practical in schools because they:

• are small and light and easy to carry around;
• don’t take up much space on the desk, so you have room for books and resources;
• have a long battery life, freeing you from mains power;
• are a bit more cool than AlphaSmarts.

They don’t suit everyone: the keyboard may be too small and cramped for some people and the small 10” screen may be too small for people with visual difficulties.

Cereproc, producers of The Scottish Voice, Heather were featured in Radio 4's 'Giving the Critic Back his Voice' on  August 9th. Cereproc came to worldwide attention last year when they produced a new voice for American film critic Roger Ebert. They have now produced a voice for Aberdeen-based Mike Arnott, who has Motor Neurone Disease and who wanted his children to still be able to hear his 'real' voice if he is unable to speak as his condition develops.

The programme also describes the use of the Heather voice in Scotland. CALL's Joanna Courtney describes the importance of being able to speak with a Scottish voice, like Heather, for children with communication difficulties in Scotland: "Its a lot more of a friendly and familiar sounding voice. What we've found is that a lot of younger children - even boys - would rather have the Scottish Heather voice than the American voice, and especially the very posh English voices that you can get."

Cereproc have recently been developing a male Scottish voice, which should be available in September.

Here's a wee film called 'The Case Against Assistive Technology' to get everyone going at the beginning of the new session.

iVona MiniReader is a free text-to-speech program for Windows PCs, very similar to the free NaturalReader program (but without the irritating 'advert' every time you open the program). Like NaturalReader, iVona MiniReader works as a toolbar that floats on the desktop of your computer, ready to be called upon as required. To speak text, simply select it with your mouse and click on the 'play' button on the toolbar. It doesn't provide fancy highlighting of individual words as they are spoken, as provided by programs like WordTalk and Read and Write Gold, but if you are just wanting to listen to a piece of text read by your computer, it is just the job! It is particularly good for reading text from web pages, but will speak any text that you can select with your mouse.

iVona MiniReader is designed to be used by the excellent iVona voices (the British English voices are a bit 'plummy', but the Welsh male voice, Geraint, is particularly good), but can also be used by any SAPI 5 computer voice, e.g. The Scottish Voice, Heather (soon to be joined by Stuart). The iVona voices are currently priced at €39 for one, €69 for two.

The toolbar can be used 'full-size', which includes options to choose the voice, speed and volume, or 'cut down' to display just the Play and Pause buttons. The buttons are smaller than the equivalents in NaturalReader - good if you are looking for a discreet tool, less good if your targeting skills are less than perfect.

Hacking Autism is a web site which brings together a volunteer group of software developers and specialists in autism with the intention of creating apps for iPads and other touch-enabled devices that can be used by people with an autism spectrum disorder.

The site currently contains suggested apps to which children with ASD have responded well. These include Proloquo2go, Pictello, Soundtastic and iReward, along with many more. Parents of children with ASD are invited to suggest features they would like to see in future apps. You can also look at some of the ideas that have already been suggested and comment upon them.

This could be your opportunity to have an influence on the development of forthcoming apps for the iPad and other devices!

Aha!  Mayer Johnson are publishing an app for iPad and iPod / iPhone,  iOS 3.1.3 and above

It's coming 'soon'. It will be free.

It sounds like it will be especially useful for learning new symbols, and for practising, familiarising and and consolidating knowledge of symbols and their meanings.  May be especially popular as 'homework' with parents and also sounds like some quite fun games (bingo matching etc.),  Could also be valuable as a trainer for working on mastery of that 'iPad flick'.