Specifications

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Custom Systems Used by C.C.A. Clients
Within the organisation, speech pathologists and occupational therapists have worked
together to produce some custom laptop systems for C.C.A. clients, which are successfully
being used for communication and schoolwork. The following cases briefly describe these
systems and some of the problems that have been encountered.
Case 1
Client background:
• 7 years old in a mainstream classroom.
• Athetoid Cerebral Palsy.
• Quadriplegia.
• Speech can be intelligible in context.
• Vision and hearing unaffected.
HARDWARE COMMENTS
IBM platform (DELL Inspiron Computer). Chosen for compatibility with school system.
Custom Designed mounting cradle and arm. To place laptop in view.
Discover switch. Discover Switch was too bulky and needed
to be placed in a more compact box.
External speakers to improve volume. External speakers needed to be placed on
the chair, as the built in speakers on the
laptop could not be heard over the noise in
the classroom.
S
OFTWARE COMMENTS
Discover Switch
for P.C.
Ability to custom make scanning arrays.
Mouse emulation features more efficient than other available
software.
Client had 3yrs prior experience with this.
Write:outloud v.3. Tool to assist with literacy skill development .
Simplified toolbar to facilitate independence with printing/saving/etc.
Word processor with synthesised voice output and a range of voices.
Availability of file storage gives access to pre-made stories.
Co:writer Provision of word (and next word) prediction software, abbreviation
expansion and ability to learn the users vocabulary. These features
allow rate enhancement & savings in switch hits required.
Literacy support for spelling difficulty.
Talk mode allows toggling between word processing and voice
output.
Provides a range of source dictionaries.