AAC Software Comparison

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1 AAC Software Comparison - July 2008 Choosing the right piece of communication software for a client has become increasingly harder as the broad attributes of communication software on the market have become more similar. Most of them provide the option for communication via text or symbols, all have word prediction, etc. Many of the packages also have the ability to control a computer through mouse and keyboard strokes or the ability to send text messages and s without ever leaving the communication software. For many people it is the smaller details which influence their decision. For example, it may be critical for a user to have context based prediction as well as frequency prediction. Or the option of a talking web browser within the communication software may be the deciding factor. Alternatively, none of these smaller factors may be important and the user may pick their software based on their team s previous experience with a piece of software. Or it may be that good manuals and product support are the deciding factor. This comparison chart covers the broader features and many of the smaller details. If you have a question or comment about something which isn t covered please let us know and we will add it to the chart. Jane Farrall AAC Support Services Manager Speech Language Pathologist Spectronics

2 Basic Features Ability to make and customise dynamic communication pages Pre-made page sets included which can be customised for end users Y - large variety for different ages and communication levels. Y - small number Y - small number Y - small number Symbol sets included PCS, DynaSyms See Sense SymbolStix PCS Symbol sets which can be purchased as add-ons one PCS WMFs, Widgit Literacy Symbols PCS WMFs Widgit Literacy Symbols, Picture This Photos in User can create or add to symbol libraries Y - by importing pictures Y - by specifying folders where pictures are stored Y - by specifying folders where pictures are stored Y - by importing pictures Import digital images Y - GIF, JPG, JPEG, BMP Y - GIF, TIF, JPG, JPEG, BMP, WMF PG, EMF. Can also do screen capture of any image Y - BMP, WMF, GIF, JPG Y - JPG, JPEG, GIF, PG, BMP, EMF, WMF Drag and drop picture files onto cells Y Y Capture pictures from other applications for cells Y - by copying and pasting Y - by just capturing any graphic Y - by copying and pasting Y - by copying and pasting Fill pages from search Y Fill pages from word list Y Y Hide and show cells Y Only empty cells Y Multiple user profiles Y Y Y Australian/ew Zealand English search language for symbols Option of symbols in message window with text Option of highlighting words/symbols as they are spoken Option of symbols appearing as you type Option of hearing audio feedback as you type Option for password protection for pages and settings Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Option for menu or settings lock Y Y Y Print communication pages for hard copy Print message window Ability to edit text in message window Message window can be saved as a text document Message window content can be printed Page 2

3 Basic Features Pop Ups available Word Prediction with learning capabilities Word Prediction type Frequency, alphabetical, phrase level, context prediction, character prediction Frequency, sounds like, spelt like Frequency and alphabetical Frequency Word Prediction with symbol support Y Y Set minimum length for predicted words Set number of letters after which prediction occurs Y Y Y Y Slots Y Spell checking in message window Y Abbreviation Expansion Automatic capitalisation (smart text) Y Y - user needs to input words to be auto capitalised Y Y - user needs to input words to be auto capitalised Autoreplace for spelling errors Y Word morphology Y Verbs only Y - but needs input for irregular words Compatible with SAPI 4 voices Compatible with SAPI 5 voices Included Voices uance Realspeak Australian Voices, AT&T atural Voices USA & UK), Acapela HQ USA Voices, DECtalk, VeriVox, Microsoft Voices Acapela UK or US Voices Acapela US Voices uance Realspeak Australian Voices, Microsoft Voices Australian Realspeak Voices Included Add on for $285 Add on for $249 Included Link digital sound files to cells Y - MP3 and WAV Y - MP3, WAV, WMA Y - WAV, WMA and MP3 Y - WAV Drag and drop sound files onto cells Y Y Import DynaVox Series 3 and Series 4 page sets Y Y Import files Y Y Y A 2nd conversation message window Y Extra page sets for purchase Y - Word Power (includes Picture Word Power and Scanning Word Power), Communicate 4, Alphacore Y - CALLtalk, Ingfield Dynamic Vocabularies, Starting Blocks, WordPower Y - Word Power and Picture Word Power Y - Word Power and Picture Word Power Page download site pagesharing exchange/index.php Page 3

4 Access Options Direct access Touch enter, touch exit, audio touch, mouse pause Touch cell to accept, Accept on timeout, hold finger on cell to accept, accept first cell touched Mouse click, Mouse dwell, Trigger selection when mouse button released Direct Pointer (mouse click or key click), Direct Touch Mouse alternatives Mouse pause (for use with head pointers) and joystick Headpointer Mouse Dwell Direct Pointer dwell Zoom or magnification Y - direct access and scanning Y all access methods Y - direct access and scanning Y - scanning Scanning Automatic (linear, row column, block row column, column row, left right, left centre right, six zones, top bottom, custom patterns) 1 switch, 1 switch dwell, 2 switch, inverse Automatic (linear, row column, column row, block), 1 switch, inverse, elimination, overscan, 1 8 switches plus 4 directional switches Automatic (linear, row column, column row), 1 switch, 1 switch dwell, 2 switch, inverse, 2 switch hold to advance Automatic (linear or groups), 1 switch, 2 switch, inverse Switch Interfaces ot required - devices have inbuilt switch ports The Joycable or JoyBox, Crick USB switch interface Crick USB switch interface, Joycable, DJ switch interface Pro, Intelliswitch, keyboard or mouse buttons Switch adapted mouse, Crick USB switch interface, Intelliswitch Auditory Scanning Separate auditory scanning voice Y Y Y Directed auditory scanning through a private channel Y Y - if hardware allows Y - if hardware allows Y- with recorded previews only Exclude empty cells from scanning Y Y Audio browsing Auditory browse through alternate access Y Y Y Interface with eye tracker Vmax can interface with EyeMax add-on Y - MyTobii P10, Alea Intelligaze, EyeTech QuickGlance, LC Edge Y - MyTobii Y - MyTobii Page editing can be done by end user in all access methods Y Limited - some addon products can be customized in Use mode. Yuichi s Game is a good example. Morse code Y Computer Interaction and Control Features Interact with other software (open, send commands, etc) Y Y Y Very limited - can open other programs but not control them Radar mouse Y Y Y Radar/Crosshair mouse brake Y Y A Radar/Crosshair mouse fine tuning Y A Radar clockwise and anticlockwise Y A Crosshair mouse Y Y Y A Pre-made On-screen keyboards for sending text and commands to other software Y Y Y A Extend selection method to desktop and other applications Y - touch enter, touch exit, audio touch and mouse pause Y headpointer, mouse dwell and all eye gaze input A Page 4

5 Other features Calls through mobile phone Y - but limited Y - but limited A Calls through land phone Only through speaker phone or TSPhone through in-built ECU component Only through speaker phone or TSPhone if ECU has been added Only through speaker phone or TSPhone if ECU has been added Only through speaker phone Send and receive text messages Y Y Y A Send and receive s Y Y Y A Free address Y A Send s and text messages from any page Y Y Y Address Book Y Y Y Control web cam to take photos and use for on-line communication Y Y Skype pages Y Y ECU Y Optional through Control Micro, Control Star, TIRA-2, Z-Wave, UUIRT, Perseo Optional through Control PROG or TIRA-2 Dedicated Media player Y - MP3s only Y MP3, WMA, WAV, AVI, MPG Y - sounds only Launch movies from buttons Movie file types* AVI, MPG, MPEG, WMV AVI, MOV, MPG AVI, MPEG, MPG, MPE, WMV AVI, WMV, MPG Drag and drop movies onto cells Y Y Inbuilt talking web browser Y Create button showing time Y Y Y Create button showing date Y Y Y Smart buttons with changeable labels based on other variables Y Y - limited Y Y Ability to program reminders Y Calculator Y Y Y Support Options Phone support available from local supplier On-line help Y - extensive Y - limited Y - extensive Manual Topic guides / Additional training sheets Y - large number Some Other information Price (in Australian Dollars) - as at August 2008 "DynaVox V $11,990 DynaVox Vmax $12,990" $1,220 $1,150 $1,099 Operating systems Windows XP Windows XP and Vista Windows XP and Vista Windows XP and Vista * Both The Grid 2 and VS Communicator use Windows Media Player to play movie files. You may need to add extra codecs before particular movie files will play. Page 5

6 AAC Software Comparison software on a V or Vmax When this chart was first started, the software was available as a separate product, called the Speaking Software. This is no longer available and the software can only be purchased installed on a V or Vmax. This may be seen as a disadvantage by many people. However, the advantage of this is that the software and the hardware work very well and reliably together - in addition, the speakers are great, the switch ports are inbuilt, the device is very rugged and the battery lasts longer than a typical laptop plus many more positives. The DynaVox software also comes with a very large number of pre-programmed pages which are designed using current research in the area and which exemplify best practice. Their on-line support and training is extremely comprehensive. The software also has the most comprehensive suite of communication features e.g. complete word morphology, context prediction, slots. It is the also the only package which an end-user can program themselves no matter what their access method is. However, programming from scratch (not modifying existing pages) can be more complex than it is in some other packages particularly if you want to use the Page Editor. The on-screen keyboards also are often more intrusive and less streamlined than they are in the other packages. The mouse functions in the on-screen keyboards have great features but can be difficult to program if you are making your own on-screen keyboard from scratch. The Grid 2 The Grid 2 has a couple of real strengths which are not available in the other packages. The in-built talking web browser is one of these - this is a great option for many users. The range of pre-made on-screen keyboards are also very clean and clear and well made. Overscanning as an access method can also be really valuable for some people. The pre-made text based communication page sets are also well designed and very usable for many people who have good literacy skills and who primarily want to use spelling for input. The Media Player and support for Skype are also very well thought out. However, in completing this chart we used The Grid 2 on a couple of different computers - and having had difficulties with conflicts with one of those computers we would strongly recommend that you run the 60 day trial on the actual computer you wish to use The Grid 2 on before purchasing. The manual is often inconsistent or incomplete and the on-line support often comes up with the same or similar answers to many different questions. also has some really good strengths. In particular, page programming is very intuitive. Smart buttons make programming many functions extremely easy and streamlined. The manual is excellent but the programming is so simple that many people may never need to resort to the manual. The premade on-screen keyboards are very versatile, streamlined and comprehensive. The pre-made text based communication page sets are also well designed and very usable for people who want to use primarily phrases and spelling for communication. The phrase bank can be modified by any user, no matter what their access method is. The Media Player and MS Chat pages are a great addition. While the manual is very good there is no on-line support database. with Speaking Dynamically Pro Originally, with Speaking Dynamically Pro was not going to be included in this comparison chart as it is a straight communication package and doesn t offer any on-screen or computer control. However, a number of people asked for it to be included as it is often part of their considerations when selecting a communication package. So many support people are very familiar with that with Speaking Dynamically Pro seems a logical choice. If any of the extra computer control features, or or text messaging are important considerations then with Speaking Dynamically Pro does not even need to be considered. However, if you primarily want to build dynamic communication pages with symbols then it is certainly worth considering. Page 6

The Grid 2 is accessible to everybody, accepting input from eye gaze, switches, headpointer, touchscreen, mouse, and other options too.

The Grid 2 is accessible to everybody, accepting input from eye gaze, switches, headpointer, touchscreen, mouse, and other options too. The Grid 2-89224 Product Overview The Grid 2 is an all-in-one package for communication and access. The Grid 2 allows people with limited or unclear speech to use a computer as a voice output communication