Accurate AND precise eye-gaze on an iPad!

 Hey Tek-ninjas! Today is a big day for Tobii Dynavox and AAC users. This morning, Tobii Dynavox introduces the TD Pilot.  TD Pilot provides native integration of eye tracking in iPadOS and has been certified to meet Apple performance standards. It enables communication and full use of iPad apps for people with disabilities, via eye control and other access methods. The TD Pilot offers what is currently the only MFi Certified Eye-tracker on the market. 

While there are a few other companies that had dipped there toes into the eye-tracker world with iPads already, none of them (that I know of) have an equivalent offering with Region Base Interaction (RBI), essentially pulling the user's eye to the chosen target with accuracy and precision - indoors OR outdoors. Additionally, TD Pilot uses Smart bright pupil and dark pupil tracking technology which means that the eye tracker is always adjusting to the light conditions and the user to ensure the optimal user experience.

Just like on the proven Windows-based iSeries, TD Pilot has the celebrated Partner Window, and the same powerful speakers. 

TD Pilot when funded, comes with TD Snap, TD Talk, and TD CoPilot. The first many AAC stakeholders are familiar with. TD Talk is a brand new efficient text-to-speech app, and TD CoPilot is the companion app which provides calibration, software updates, and battery status. 

Everyone I've spoken with who has had a chance to test drive the TD Pilot has been very impressed. If you are going to be at ASHA this week, come by, check one out, and say hi to me! If you can't make ASHA, but want to see one for a possible user, reach out to your friendly neighborhood Solutions Consultant. They will be able to help you determine if the TD Pilot is right for you or your client(s)!

Happy therapy!

Welcome to the AAC party Tamira!!

 Hey Tek-ninjas! If you recall, back in March I wrote about Acapela's efforts to produce the first African American voices. On November 4th, Tamira, the first African American adult female voice will be available in TD Snap. Just run your updates and the voice will automatically appear in the voice selection section. 

Here's a sample of the Tamira voice:

If you are on Tobii Dynavox's email list, you should receive an email some time today informing you about the offering. The email will include a link to a Knowledge Base article giving you a little background information on the voice and where to find it in TD Snap. If you aren't on the mailing list, you can get on it by making a free account at www.mytobiidynavox.com. Additionally, there should be social media posts with the link to the Knowledge Base. 

Finally, as noted before, if you are looking for Continuing Education, click here, or your local Tobii Dynavox sales rep, click here. 

Happy therapy!

TD Snap version 1.18.1.2452!!

 Hey Tek-ninjas! A little while back Tobii Dynavox ran a new update in Snap. There are some subtle and not so subtle updates that you might want to be aware of....

First, TD Snap now supports Arabic, including:

        Arabic Core First Page Set

        PCS Countries: Arabic symbol set

Second, Undo and Redo actions are now available in the Message Window. That allows for some really terrific on the fly editing!

Third, Eye Gaze access has been improved with new settings:
        Customize the Eye Gaze dwell time on individual buttons.
        Look away before reselecting.

And fourth, there is a new in-app feedback feature. Send feature requests and error reports in Edit > System > About.

If you'd like to learn more about Snap, be sure to reach out to your local Solution Consultant. If you are a professional, they can help you get a Professional License, and they can offer you training on the software!

Happy therapy!!

Control WHATEVER you want on your computer with your eyes!

 

Hey Tek-ninjas! Today I'm writing about TD Control. Originally it was called Computer Control, but with the rebranded name and logo come some remarkable updates. 

If you aren't familiar, TD Control is an intuitive way of interacting with and controlling your computer via eye tracking. According to Tobii Dynavox, TD Control was designed for literate adults with conditions such as cerebral palsy, ALS/MND and spinal cord injury who want to make full use of their computer completely independently. The software allows eye-gaze users to navigate and control the Windows environment in a natural way. 

As an eye-gaze user, there are a number of ways to play your favorite games, surf the internet, or send
emails, however, the software typically has a different interface. While, this can be a huge asset, especially for folks who may need larger targets, or a even ability to use switch scanning, this solution often requires learning different motor sequencing resulting in an increased cognitive load.  Additionally, if the native platform, say Facebook, runs updates, then the software developer must also run an update to match. This can result in the app not working for a few days, which is frustrating for the end-user. 

TD Control offers an access modality that essentially sits right on top of the pre-existing interface. Facebook is still Facebook. Same for Spotify, Instagram, or your Word program. No new learning of your favorite applications, and updates happen seamlessly on the platform. 

Just a few days ago, TD Control updated and now users can customize which tools in the tool bar are available. So for some folks a simple selection of Left Click, Double Click, and maybe Keyboard are all they need. The ability to reduce the visual distractions is a welcome addition. Others may want all the tools.

TD Control is available devices using the TD IS5 camera including the I-13 and I-16 devices and the PCEye eye tracker. Currently it is unavailable to purchase as a standalone app.  As an Occupational Therapist, when I think about general access for computers, the PCEye eye tracker get's me excited. Not everyone needs a full-blown AAC device like the iSeries, and the tracker provides that "other" option. 

If you are interested in seeing TD Control in person, reach out to your local Tobii Dynavox Solution Consultant, and they will be happy to show it to you!

Tobii Dynavox Online Trainings!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Looking to learn? Maybe need some CEU's? Tobii Dynavox has you covered. Not all lessons offer CEU's so be sure to check if that's a requirement. Check out some of the great live virtual trainings planned for you this month covering an array of topics and products. Click each link below for additional information and to register. And if you register and can't attend, you'll receive a recording to watch on your own time.

Week of November 1

Support All Learners with Boardmaker  Learn more >

Supporting Communication Beyond Requesting (CEUs available) Learn more >

Editing 101: Skills to get Started with TD Snap Core First Learn more >

Control: Independent Computer Access with Your Eyes Learn more >

Week of November 

Communication Supports for Aphasia Learn more >

Create Activities with Boardmaker Learn more >

The Magic of Modeling Learn more >

Preserve Your Voice: Get Started with Message Banking Learn more >

Week of November 15

Ready, Set, Teach! Editable Curriculum for the Win Learn more >

Stay True to You: Personalized Communication for People with Aphasia Learn more >

AAC and Literacy: How to Get Started (CEUs available) Learn more >

Low Tech Tools for Symbol Supported Communicators Learn more >

Bonus! Boardmaker Flash 15

Join them each week for a 15 minute session to build a unique activity while learning Boardmaker skills. 

Boardmaker Flash 15: Using the Symbol Panel Learn more >

Boardmaker Flash 15: Create a Page from a Template Learn more >

Boardmaker Flash 15: Add Content to Buttons Learn more >

Happy learning!!

Learning Events: August 23-27

Hey Tek-ninjas! I want to alert you to another week of terrific Live in-services being offered by the Tobii Dynavox Learning Team! There is something here for you whether you work with kids, or adults, and they are free of charge!

Aug 24^th: 1pm -2pm  The Magic of Modeling

Aug 24^th 4pm – 5 pm Can’t Touch This: Using Alternative Access Methods with Boardmaker

Aug 25^th 10am – 10:45 Low-Tech Tools for Symbol-Supported Communicators

Aug 26^th 4pm – 5pm Create Activities with Boardmaker

Aug 27^th 11am – 11:45am Support Expression with the TD Snap Aphasia Page Set

If none of these are germane to your practice be sure to check back here as the team is constantly updating content!

Happy learning!

Writing as easy as Snap!

Hey Tek-ninjas! This post goes out specifically to my school-based occupational therapy friends. Are you familiar with the work of Dr. Gretchen Hanser, specifically regarding alternative pencils? If you’re not, be sure to familiarize yourself. But in a nutshell, Dr. Hanser says that an alternative pencil is defined as anything that provides a student with access to all 26 letters of the alphabet, specifically if they are unable to hold a traditional pencil.

Did you know that the AAC software Snap, from Tobii-Dynavox makes a terrific alternative pencil, and excels with a wide variety of access modalities including direct touch, scanning, head mouse, and even eye-gaze.

It’s very easy to customize the keyboard and take advantage of the robust word prediction engine. See the video below to see how to set this up for direct interaction.

At $49.99 for iOS this software is a deal as most competitive word production software retails for significantly more.

Happy therapy!