December 2012 / January 2013
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Editorial Feature
Inside Text-to-Speech: The making of childrenÂ’s voices
By
David Niemeijer and Andrew Richards
Preview:
Today, text-to-speech (TTS) is a pervasive technology used in public announcement systems, automated voice response systems, navigation devices and on smartphones through software such as Apple's Siri. However, despite the fact that children make up an estimated 60 percent of high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users, there was still one frontier to be crossed when it came to assistive technology: there were no realistic children's voices available. In this article, we will explain how TTS works, how TTS voices are made and provide an inside look into the challenges we faced in creating the first genuine children's TTS voices. Introduction In the US, an estimated 2 percent of children ages 6 to 14 experience difficulty having their speech understood.
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But Does She Understand? Choosing the Right Visual Symbols
By
Pat Crissey
Preview:
There are a number of factors that need to be considered when setting up a communication system.
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Red Switch, Blue Switch, Old Switch, New Switch
By
Mark Larson
Preview:
As you're aware, switch access allows users to make choices on the computer, in this case the iPad, by pressing one or more switches. The software is specifically designed to function with that number of switches. Let's see how it all comes together.You're most likely familiar with the enormous choice of switches used in assistive technology.
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Making Friends Through Robots
By
Jennifer Mundl and Sue Redepenning
Preview:
The United States has lost its edge in mathematics and science. Experts say that technological innovation accounted for almost half of U.S. economic growth over the past 50 years; almost all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least some background in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
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iPads to Support Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders - One districtsÂ’ implementation plan
By
Tania Mason and Dianne Stroud
Preview:
Teaching students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the regular classroom takes a lot of planning, collaboration and strategies. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) defines autistic disorder as a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by qualitative impairment in social interaction, qualitative impairment in communication and restricted, repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behavior, interests and activities. The degree of impairment in each area varies in individual students. Strategies that work for one student may not work for another.
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I have an iPad and an AAC App, What Do I Do Now?
By
Angela Desideri
Preview:
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is much more than providing an iPad owner with an AAC application and expecting functional communication to occur immediately. This is particularly true for beginning and emerging communicators, including individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Many individuals with ASD have unique learning needs that require lots of practice, encouragement, support and instruction, which can make the AAC learning process challenging.
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