The Compton's make AAC look doable!

Hey Tek-ninjas! I am so excited about this training! This session will be led by Erin Compton, a parent

who spends her time caring and advocating for her two children with cerebral palsy while homeschooling her other thirteen children (I could feel like an under-achiever). She mentions that it’s not an easy road to travel but one where she wouldn't change a thing!

In the "about" section of they describe the channel as "excerpts from everyday life in an average family of 15. Join us for new videos each week about faith, family, homeschooling, special needs, AAC, adoption and parenting." Whether or not they are "an average family", I'll let someone else decide, but the Compton's youtube videos are

heartwarming, funny, engaging, and most importantly show us all that "we can do this work"!

This session will offer some simple do’s and don’ts, designed to reduce the stress and increase positive communication at home.  Tuesday, June 9, 2020.  2:00 to 3:00 (ET)

Presenters: Erin Compton and Marleah Umpleby, MS CCC-Slp.

If you are interested in learning more or registering, just click here.

Core Tour Follow up!

Hey Tek-Ninja’s! On January 27th I posted the blog below. Very quickly this event has filled to maximum capacity. Since then, we opened the seats from 100 to 125.

As of this morning, there are only 19 available seats! If you are interested, and I’d encourage you to consider attending, get signed up soon. We will not be able to expand beyond 125 seats.

If you are coming, please be sure to say hello to me!

Hey Tek-ninjas! I am so excited by this opportunity! I get to work with some incredibly smart and engaging folks. I’m always wishing more people could get an opportunity to learn from the Tobii-Dynavox Learning Team. Well, here’s your opportunity!

Join the Tobii Dynavox team in person on the 2020 Core Tour here in Chapel Hill, NC, my home town!

What’s a Core Tour? It's a free, full-day session where we will explore evidence-based approaches for supporting both communication and literacy development for children with complex communication needs. We will discuss Snap Core First communication software and associated Tobii Dynavox literacy tools to support symbol-based communicators and their communication partners. We will target specific strategies that can positively impact engagement, literacy, and growth. Following the course, you will have an opportunity to visit our AAC stations for hands-on application.

Who is this event for?
Parents/Family members, Caregivers , SLPs, OTs, PTs, & Assistants Teachers/Special educators/paraprofessionals

Where:

The Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures
200 S. Elliott Road – Great Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

When:

Thursday, February 27, 2020 

9:00am - 4:00pm

Questions?

Contact: Jim Tignor
Email: jim.tignor@tobiidynavox.com
Phone: 919-260-3756

Register now! This event is going to fill up quickly, so don’t wait to register!

Registration will begin at 8:00am. Session will start promptly at 9:00am and conclude by 4:00pm. Learners may stay until 5:00pm for additional time with staff for demos, hands-on time with devices, and Q&A. Lunch will be provided.
Registration on a computer rather than a mobile device is recommended. 
This course will be offered for 0.55 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional Area)



View invite in browser.

Aphasia, Text-literate, and Word List Updates!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Yesterday Tobii Dynavox rolled out a new update.

If you have Snap Core First, which incidentally retails for only $49.99 (significantly less than the competition) these updates come for free.

According to Tobii Dynavox, the Snap Core First 1.10 includes updated word lists that are more efficient to navigate. An overview of the Snap Core First word list updates, responses to key questions, instructions on how to combine existing word lists with the new words lists, and instructions on how to customize the new word lists are illustrated in these videos.

There are some considerations...

These are some pretty cool updates. If you are a current user, or supporting a current user, and you want to take advantage of these new words lists, there are some considerations:

• What if you have not done many edits
• What if you have done less than 75 edits to the word lists, or your edits are mainly in the Topics and QuickFires
• What if you have done more than 75 edits to your word list vocabulary...

To find out how to address these considerations, follow this link.

But, that's not all. Tobii Dynavox rolled out a new Aphasia Pageset as well as Text-Literate Pageset, available for no extra charge. 

This video shows you how to load the different pagesets, and gives a very superficial over view.


Happy Therapy!!

37th Annual NCACA Conference

Hey Tek-Ninjas, if you are in North Carolina and have interest in Augmentative Communication, you might want to attend the annual NCACA. It's always a really great conference.


This year, my colleague, Lauren Zubow will be presenting Eye Gaze Technology for Emergent Communicators. Lauren is an excellent presenter, and not to be missed.

Per the course description:
"This conference aims to promote best practices for professionals working with people with complex communication needs. Sessions will target ways to most successfully promote augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), using innovative professional strategies based at top of the license performance with incorporation of evidenced based practice information. Both assessment and intervention topics will be discussed during this 2-day course."

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants will be able to:
· Identify specific technology tools that align with effective instruction. (Day 1)
· Describe tools used to promote language and literacy within an inclusive setting. (Day 1)
· Identify essential resources needed in the decision making and selection of an AAC system. (Day 2)
· Discuss the major components of an AAC intervention plan. (Day 1 and 2)
· Incorporate the use of AAC evidence based practices in the intervention of people with complex communication needs. (Day 1 and 2)

LOCATION WinMock Event Center
168 East Kinderton Way
Bermuda Run, NC 27006

You should be able to register at this location.

Happy Therapy!

What can a V8 engine do for you?

What's under the hood

Hey Tek-ninjas, so I am still excited about the new i13 and i16 from Tobii Dynavox.

One of the aspects I'm excited about is the increase of power under the hood. The older models have what is needed for communication. They are capable of doing what is necessary.

That being said, a car with an eight cylinder engine is so much more fun to drive then a car with a four cylinder engine.

The i13 and the i16 are indeed faster, lighter, more powerful, and incidentally the volume output is also significantly upgraded. I included the specs in the graphic above for those of you who understand what all of that means... for the rest of us, I included a video which very simply displays how robust these new AAC systems are.

Happy Therapy!

Free AAC Trainings!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Today I want to tell you about a new offering from Tobii Dynavox. Recently the Learning Team rolled out a new online platform called the The Learning Hub. 

The Learning Hub hosts a variety of on-demand trainings, which Tobii Dynavox provides for free. You Speech Therapists out there can even get ASHA CEUs. 

But do not be deterred if you are not a Speech Therapist! If you are interested in learning AAC, you are welcome to make a free account and participate! I encourage parents, educators, and all other therapists to check it out.

The Learning Hub can be used on any Windows-based or iOS-based computers, laptops, and tablets, but according to the website, the best browser to use is Google Chrome. 

Did I mention it's free? 

Happy Therapy!

WATI: AT Teams check it out!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Back in 2012 I shared a post about WATI (Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative. If you don’t recall, or know what WATI is, their mission was/is to assist early intervention agencies, school districts, and their partners to provide assistive technology by making training and technical assistance available through the development of materials related to the provision of assistive technology tools, and services.You can read that post here.

WATI has had a number of changes since I wrote my original post. In 2009 they lost funding, and were shut down. Since then, they rebooted and are now run by a volunteer group of former WATI Consultants.

The new WATI site imo is better than before, and any school district in the process of developing or improving their Assistive Technology team would do well to spend some time exploring the offerings.

Again, all hail WATI!

"Ask Us Anything" Sessions with Tobii Dynavox and Boardmaker!

Learning Team and Tech Support Consultants

Hey Tek-Ninjas! This will be of interest to my peeps supporting AAC and Symbol users.

Starting April 19th, and following weekly, Tobii-Dynavox professionals will be available for an hour to answer questions, provide demonstrations, provide resources, etc. 

Someone from the Learning Team and Tech Support team will join up to offer open forums where learners can come and ask questions. As a learner you can stay long enough to just have your questions answered (by asking it aloud, typing in a chat window, sending it ahead of time – whatever your comfort level is) – or stay for the whole hour to hear what other questions might come up. 

The next offering for this is April 30th. 

Learners/Customers can register here.  Feel free to spread the word.

As if that weren't amazing enough...

The Education team will also offer ‘Boardmaker Ask Us Anything’ sessions. Registration is available on the Tobii Dynavox website and also on GoBoardmaker.com > Learning & Support > Webinars

April 16, 2019 @ 11:00 EDT HERE

May 9, 2019 @ 1:00 EDT HERE

May 30, 2019@ 5:00 EDT HERE


Happy therapy!

Looking to Learn?

Hey Tek-ninjas! Recently I received a terrific list of webinars that I would have loved to have been present for....and now I get to watch them after the fact. I thought some of you might be interested in watching some of these as well so here you go.

Recorded Webinars Creating Pagesets in Communicator 5 Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Message Banking: Where, Why, and How to Preserve Your Voice Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Snap + Core First for Adults with Communication Needs Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Snap Scene: Overview & Activities for All Ages Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Introduction to Implementing AAC for Emergent Communicators Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Report Writing Basics: Existing Barriers Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Positive Behavior Supports within Snap + Core First Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Report Writing Basics: Report Requirements Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Report Writing Basics: Goal Writing Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Report Writing Basics: Summary Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Introduction to Feature Matching Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Back to School with Snap + Core First Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Tobii Dynavox Family of Products Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Tobii Dynavox Free Resources Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here Introduction to Gaze Viewer Webinar is available for you to view by clicking here

Happy Therapy!!

Better Data Tracking Helps Us All!

Greetings Tek-ninjas!

For those of you who have been following me for a while, this will come as no surprise but I am here to brag about Snap + Core First again.

With today’s FREE update Tobii Dyanovox now provides you the ability to track data of your user within the app itself.

Let’s walk through a few key features.

Let's begin by running your update if you have not yet. Next, open your copy of Snap + Core First (Windows, Mac, or iPad... it all looks the same). Once it's open, tap on the Cog in the top right hand corner. Then tap on User, and then tap on Data Tracking.





If you turn on Track Button Usage, you will be provided with a warning informing you that by enabling the button, you give Tobii Dynavox consent to track your data, and if you are logged into you mytobiidynavox.com account, store that data there for you to use.








Turning on Show Top Bar Button provides you with a shortcut to manage your data tracking.









Turning on Show Button Usage Counts literally keeps a count in your button of the times that button has been selected.






If you log into your mytobiidynavox page, you can take a look by the user profile, but the month, by the day, and by the word count.







For therapists and parents this is a tremendous tool set which will allow all stake holders to share concrete data about how their communicator is using their system. If you have not run your update, maybe take a moment to do so.

Incidentally, with this update, Snap + Core First also has support for Brazilian Portuguese.

Happy therapy!!

Grid 3 Trial

Hey Tek-Ninjas!

As you may have heard, Tobii Dynavox and Smartbox will be one on October 1st. Smartbox's
flagship software is called Grid 3, and I have to say it is super user friendly! Currently its available for a free fully functioning 60 day trial. You can download it here.

Grid 3 offers communication options for Emergent, Symbol-based, and Literate communicators. Grid 3 supports multiple access modalities including touch, scanning, and eye-gaze.

Grid 3 is available for Windows and some iterations on iOS.

I'm sure I'll be blogging about Grid 3 more, as Tobii Dynavox irons out more of the details.

Happy Therapy!

The Times They Are A Changing...

Hey Tek-Ninjas! On Monday morning many of us at learned some exciting news (In the AAC world

at least):Tobii Dynavox and Smartbox of the UK announced that they will be joining forces. As of October 1, 2018, Smartbox will join the Tobii Dynavox family and will soon operate under the Tobii Dynavox brand.

By coming together, the companies will be better positioned to help more people with disabilities around the world, to communicate and realize their full potential.

Customers will immediately benefit from the combined portfolio of Tobii Dynavox and Smartbox products, which will include Snap + Core First, Grid software, and devices from both companies. This will be a powerful pairing.

Software changes will include the following: 

Grid & Snap + Core First
There will be a focus on building new features and functionalities on Grid and Snap + Core First. The goal is to create transition software from Communicator 5, Compass and Series 5 to Grid. 

Communicator 5, Windows Control 2 and Classic Tobii Gaze Interaction Software (TGIS)
Still for sale: Communicator 5, Windows Control 2 and TGIS. Tobii Dynavox states they will support all users to the commitments made for at least the coming five years. They will however not develop any new features and functionalities on these titles. The message to me: start thinking about porting over to a newer more modern AAC software title like Snap + Core First or Grid 3.

Compass
You will no longer be able to purchase Compass. Tobii Dynavox states that they will

continue to support all users to the commitments made for at least the coming five years. For those of you who have been dedicated to Compass because of the PODD offering, I want to direct you to the Grid 3 PODD offering which is very robust. It should meet all of your needs. 

It should be exciting to see the opportunities that come from this significant merger. 

Happy therapy!

ECU Greenville In-service: Solutions for Adults with Complex Communication Needs

Hey Tek-Ninjas! The trifecta of in-services! Yes, Tobii Dynavox is offering a third training in September. The title of the training is "Solutions for Adults with Complex Communication Needs".

We are of course offering training on September 25th in Greensboro, and September 26th in Durham also.

Course Description:
Using lecture and case studies, participants will learn about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) solutions for adults with complex communication needs. The workshop will also focus on access and independence solutions and strategies. Following the workshop, Tobii Dynavox Solutions Consultants will be available for guided exploration with devices and software.

Learning Objective: Upon completion, participants will be able to:
Describe the unique communication challenges of adults with complex communication needs.
• List three communication tools that provide support for adults with complex communication needs.
• Identify various access methods that support communication solutions across a diverse group of adult communicators.

This course will be offered for 2.25 Certification Maintenance Hours (CMH)

Attention: Attendees are responsible for reaching out to their professional associations and organizations to determine whether CMH contact hours from this event will be accepted toward licensure or certification maintenance requirements.

Location: East Carolina University Health Sciences Campus, Room HSC 202 600 Moye Blvd Greenville, NC 27834

Date: September 27th, 2018 Time: 8:30 am – 11:00 am

Questions? Contact Jim Tignor. Email: jim.tignor@tobiidynavox.com

Presenter: Leigh Cooley joined Tobii Dynavox after spending eight years specializing in the implementation of AAC within a school setting. She has prior experience as an educator assistant in elementary and intermediate special education. While at Tobii Dynavox, Leigh spent two years as a regional Sales consultant, working with clients ranging in age from infant to geriatric. Currently, Leigh is a Learning Consultant on the Learning Services team at Tobii Dynavox.

Follow this link to Pre-register.

I hope to see you at one or more of these in-services! Come say hi to me if you make it!

BEAST MODE Aug Comm – Tobii Dynavox I-110

Hey Tek-Ninjas! If you are a long time reader, than you know that I have over the years been a big fan of the iPad. Still am.

But, sometimes a person needs something built like a tank. That is not going to be an iPad. Even if it's in a protective bubble...

When I want a tank, something extra durable, for a rough and tumble user, who might even be mucking about in or near water, I think i-110. Take a look at the video.

Note the kids playing by a sprinkler. There are few other devices where I'd want to try that. 
The i-110 is built with Gorilla Glass, which is exceedingly durable. It has an IP54 classification which means it is "protected against dust ingress" and "protected against splash water in any direction".  With a 10.1 inch diagonal screen and weighing in at 2.4 lbs, the i-110 is very portable. Self contained speakers, front and back cameras, USB ports, and switch ready. There are no extra cables or parts hanging off the device.

Choose from the various communication software offerings including Communicator 5, Snap+ Core First, Snap Scene, or Compass.

The i-110 is always in Beast-mode, and ready for real life and real communication.

Hajime!

Why I'm Such a SCF Fanboy!

Hey Tek-Ninjas! So, what I think of as the finest piece of Augmentative Communication continues to get better. For free. Tobii Dynavox runs updates in Snap + Core First (SCF) almost monthly, making the best better. I've included details about the newest free updates below. I blogged about SCF awhile back, and you can read that here. 

New features in Snap include:

• Swedish with a Core First page set, morphology, prediction, and Swedish Acapela voices
• Dutch with a Core First page set, prediction and Dutch Acapela voices  

 The new feature Edit Mode Language allows the user to change the language in which Settings are displayed 

The Passcode feature now has options to password protect specific features (Edit Mode, Sync, Vocabulary Search Mode) individually, as well as in combination 

The new User Preference Clear after Speech automatically clears the message window when text is inserted after the Message Window has been spoken

Delay after Page Change is a new feature for Gaze Interaction that allows the user to view newly

opened pages without making eye gaze selections for up to 10 seconds

New styles for buttons that link to other pages include options to display these “link buttons” with Navigation Icons (as in previous versions of Snap) or in a Folder shape. 

Customers also have the option to display these “link buttons” in exactly the same way as other buttons on the page, i.e., without Navigation Icons or a Folder shape.

The new feature Grid Margin Factor controls the amount of space between buttons

Chat Mode with options for a Chat button, that toggles Chat Mode on and off, on the Message Bar, Page, and/or Toolbar

The new Pause Access Method button type that can be used to pause Eye Gaze or Mouse Dwell Access Methods

This continuous push to improve is part of what makes me such a SCF Fanboy!

Hajime!

Mighty AAC/Tiny Package

Hey Tek-Ninjas! Yesterday, I posted about the Speech Case. I wrote that I was super excited about some the new products coming from Tobii Dynavox. Well, there's another great device available now. The Indi 7 is a mighty AAC device in a tiny package. It's "related to the Indi, which I wrote about a few months ago.

Indi 7 comes complete with integrated, extra loud speakers, your choice of communication software, a whole ecosystem of support, and a 30-day money back guarantee for peace of mind.

With a 7 inch screen, super loud and clear speakers, and Windows 10 OS, the Indi 7 fits nicely in your hand. Multiple access methods such as switch-scanning, head-mouse, and touch with keyguards, are all compatible with Indi 7.

You can order Indi 7 directly from Tobii Dynavox and get it within days, all for an incredible price (with Communicator 5 AND Snap + Core First it is $1,699, and with JUST Snap + Core First, it is $999). 

And, unlike other off-the-shelf tablets, since Indi 7 is your all-in-one communication solution, you don’t have to worry about setting up different components or going to multiple sites for assistance – it’s all right there for you!

Hajama!

AAC meets the iPad #ferreal

Hey Tek-Ninjas! Tobii Dynavox has some new "Stuff" and I'm way stoked about it.

You need an AAC solution? You prefer iOS? Or you already have an iPad? But you need it to be a dedicated speech device? Check out the

Speech Case.
The Speech Case with iPad, is an iOS-based speech tablet designed for AAC with extra loud speakers, switch access, and the Snap + Core First communication app. This is a true AAC communication solution!

With the specially designed case, built-in handle, and kickstand, mounting is also possible with pre-drilled screw holes for an external mount plate. The Speech Case offers unmatched sound from the integrated, outward-facing speakers means quality and clarity optimized for speech while also providing the loudest sound on the market. The Speech Case also offers multiple Access Methods like switch-scanning, touch, and touch with keyguards.

 What if you already have an iPad? Well, the Speech Case and Speech Case Pro can be purchased alone, or bundled with Snap + Core First. Speech Case is only compatible with 9.7" 5th and 6th generation iPad and the Speech Case Pro is only compatible with 12.9” 2nd generation iPad Pro. Pricing can be found on the website, but varies dependent on your configuration needs. 

BUT, if you are buying JUST the Speech Case, the 9.7 size retails for $399, and the 12.9 retails for $599. 

Hajima! 

Microsoft and Tobii Dynavox Working Together

Greetings Tek-Ninjas! Here is something kind of exciting: Today, Tobii Dynavox announced a new partnership with Microsoft, supporting the next evolution of

their Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) as part of Microsoft Learning Tools.

A student will now have the ability to click on a word, see a PCS image, and hear the word read aloud simultaneously to aid with reading and comprehension.  This feature is built directly into the Immersive Reader feature within Word Online, OneNote Online, OneNote for Windows 10, OneNote iPad, Outlook on the Web, and Outlook.com.

For over 20 years, PCS have been the most widely adapted symbol set used by millions of students and adults around the world to communicate, learn, and experience. 

Follow the conversation online and share the news by following the Tobii Dynavox Facebook page!

Hajima!

Snap+ Core First Gets Even Better!

Hey Tek-Ninjas! It's been a minute. I've been deeply immersed in the Tobii Dynavox world. Learning every day and seeing users that simply blow me away. If you have followed my blog for long, you understand that I've spent my career working with young people. In my new position as an AAC Consultant, I have had the distinct honor of working with many amazing adults who are seeking their voices. I have met people whose proficiency with our eye-gaze system has left me feeling amazed and delighted. The future is bright I tell you.

But today's blog article is a bit about our AAC software, Snap+ Core First. In my opinion one of the most robust pieces of AAC software ever, and phenomenally easy to manage for caregivers and therapists alike. That ease in my mind is the difference between a device sitting on the shelf unused, or a device being customized for the given user and opening a new world.

If you own the software, or even have the free (voiceless) version, be sure to run your updates from the App or Windows store. About a month ago, for no additional cost, we pushed out the English/Spanish version. No cost I say.

And yesterday we pushed out the English/German version. Because the German iteration requires a different symbol set there is an in-app cost of $54.99.

Accessing these different languages is as simple as logging out of your user, and creating a new profile. Be sure to use the pull down menu to see the different language options.

Additions in Snap 1.3 update include:

-Localization for the German market including a Core First DE page set, morphology, prediction, and German Acapela voices

-German Metacom symbols available as an in-app purchase

-A subscription option for Snap is now available on a monthly or annual basis

If you are unfamiliar with the software you can download the voiceless version for free which make a great tool to familiarize yourself, and as an Editor version to work on client's pages without taking their devices from them. Windows 10 version is here.  For your ipad, go here.

Happy therapy! And Hajima!

Change is Good!

Poo and I

Hey Tek-Ninjas! I have big news (for me at least) today, November 30th I have completed my last day of employment with my school district. I have been a school employee since 2001, and for the first time,  I will be stepping into the private sector. 

I have loved my work with students, teachers, therapists, and the parents. It has provided me with much joy to be a part of so many people's journey over the years. I will miss many of my colleagues and the communities I have been blessed to be a part of. 

But, I am so excited! On December 4th, I will begin working for Tobii-Dynavox as a regional Sales Consultant.  My territory will include Mid to Eastern NC, and the Hampton Roads area of VA. This adventure will allow me to reach out to a larger population, and to work with adults as well as students. Again, I am so very excited!

Tobii-Dynavox creates communication solutions that users can grow and develop with throughout their life. In short, their products are the bomb!

New chapter, wonderful opportunity!