DynaVox Maestro

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Introducing the: DynaVox Maestro By: Bita Anvari Assistive Technology

Introduction::

Introduction: DynaVox is a company that was founded in Pittsburgh, PA in 1983 on the belief that technology’s greatest benefits are realized when it is empowers individuals with disabilities. Today, DynaVox is the world’s leading provider of communication and education solutions designed to help individuals living with speech, language and learning disabilities communicate and reach their potential.

What is DynaVox?:

What is DynaVox ? The DynaVox line of communication solutions thousands of individuals who are unable to speak due to the effects of autism, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury and stroke. It provides the tools they need in order to speak their minds, and connect with friends and family down the street and around the world. This device helps disabled individuals, special need students, and people who have lost the ability to speak. For example, people who have throat cancer, or suffered a severe stroke. The DynaVox products give “VOICE” to those in need.

Devices: Many people with disabilities have different levels of motor skills and usefulness of different parts of their bodies. Dynavox is such a flexible technology; the devices produced are adaptable to every person and their physical and cognitive needs.:

Devices: Many people with disabilities have different levels of motor skills and usefulness of different parts of their bodies. Dynavox is such a flexible technology; the devices produced are adaptable to every person and their physical and cognitive needs. 1) V & Vmax : are customizable communication devices that provide options for multiple platforms and situations, including face-to-face conversations, cell phone, text messaging, and email. 2) Eyemax : is an accessory which allows someone with no hand movement to be able to use their eyes to control the device and communicate. 3) Xpress: A handheld device that is very powerful, but provides the user with the ability to take it anywhere. It is easy to use and small enough to fit in most bags or purses. This device allows the user to communicate no matter where they are at any time: school, work, family gatherings, and other social settings. 4) Tango: Tango is also a handheld device, but is directed toward children with its easy to use structure and interface. 5) M3: M3 is used for all ages and abilities. Although M3 is similar to V and Vmax , it is the large amount of access choices (vocabulary, scenes, and page settings) that set M3 apart from other devices. 6) DynaWrite : DynaWrite is the only device with a normal keyboard style which can be very useful for adult users that may be accustomed to a normal computer. Features include; multiple voices, and optional scanning methods. Some Devices include:

Maestro:

Maestro The Maestro is one of the many devices the DynaVox company provides. The DynaVox Maestro gives individuals with speech and language disabilities the confidence to make their voices heard in every situation by putting the focus on communication, not the method by which communication is achieved. It combines with powerful communication tools and cutting-edge technology to empower successful and efficient day-to-day communication.

Who is the Maestro appropriate for?:

Who is the Maestro appropriate for? They DynaVox Maestro is appropriate for individuals of all ages who are learning, and/or have mastered literacy, language and communication skills. It is suitable for those who want to communicate with increased audio clarity, voice projection and intelligibility using enhanced voices that are natural-sounding and easy to understand. The Maestro is appropriate for those who would like to accelerate communication using rate enhancement techniques like concept-based Phrase Prediction.

Key Features of the Maestro:

Key Features of the Maestro Say Anything. Go Anywhere. Built Tough. Maestro allows users to say anything that they want to say from anywhere they want to say it. Capture memories and share them with family and friends with the built-in digital camera. Move from place to place and connect to accessories and the internet with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth wireless capability. Maestro is also built tough, based on Military standards for extreme operating conditions, making sure that the communication is always possible. The Maestro has a large screen that is vibrant in color and larger than most devices of similar function. It weighs just 2.75 pounds with a three-hour battery and less than 3.5 pounds with an eight-hour battery. The InterAACt advantage: Dynamic pages are set and organized into categories according to age and skill level, making core words and phrases easy to find. It allows individuals to navigate the Maestro quicker to get out what they want to say. Give Voice to your Thoughts: Users are able to choose a symbol or scene from the touch screen. The device speaks the corresponding symbol or phrase using digitized voice that is provided.

Key Features Continued…:

Key Features Continued… Create the Message: You can communicate faster with the Maestro. There is a built in spell checker, phrase prediction feature, and capabilities that keep conversations moving quickly. Also includes a Dictionary (includes over 35,000 words), an Abbreviation Expansion feature, a Vocabulary Clipboard, Symbols, Tab Controls, Hiding Buttons and, Prediction features. Customization that works with you: InterAACt pages sets can be customized to suit each user’s needs. There is an easy to follow Setup Wizard that helps through the process and loads recommended sets of pages, symbols and voiced that one can modify. Connect with the World: One can surf the internet, or send email using any access method. One can set up a web camera and MP3 player functions where one can store music and create a playlist. **Here is a link that shows how a DynaVox Maestro is used for a child** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzqNPx1OVTU

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Price Approximately $7,000-13,000 depending on what accessories and features come with the device. Resources http://www.dynavoxtech.com/default.aspx http://medgadget.com/2010/10/dynavox_maestro_a_powerful_communication_tool.html