Adaptive Communication Products for Individuals with Disabilities, their Families and Caregivers: New Horizons Un-Limited

Adaptive Communication Technology/Products

NHU is neither endorsing or guaranteeing the products or companies listed here. Please analyze your unique circumstance and use your best judgement in selecting companies and products for personal use.

Listed here you may find Telephone Communication Devices, Augmentative Communication Devices, as well as Speaking, Writing, and Reading Assistive Technology.

National

Adaptive Technology Resources (ATR) is a company based in Grafton, Wisconsin. They offer a wide variety of adaptive technology products for those with visual and / or mobility disabilities. More specifically, they offer screen reading software and reading enhancement devices, portable and tabletop electronic magnifying devices, as well as several environmental control products that allow for voice control of any number of electronic household devices / appliances. For more information, call (800) 770-8474 or e-mail info@AdaptiveTR.com.

Augmentative Communication Consultants, Inc. (ACCI) is based in Pennsylvania. "ACCI represents over a dozen manufacturers of augmentative communication and other assistive technologies, offering demonstrations, workshops and consultation." They offer communication devices, computer access devices, environmental control devices, games, mounting systems and switches, and software. For more information, visit their website or call (800) 982-2248.

Crestwood Communication Aids, Inc. is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and offers hundreds of products for individuals of all ages and abilities that need assistance communicating. Some of the products they offer include speaking aids, talking pictures, and adapted toys. Receive a free catalog by calling (414) 352-5678 or by e-mailing crestcomm@aol.com.

Independent Living Aids is a company based in New York that produces a variety of adaptive products for independent living. Some of their products include a wide range of reading aids as well as writing aids for tasks such as writing a check. They also carry talking calculators.

Luminaud is a company that is based in Ohio that manufactures and supplies a wide range of high quality speech equipment and tracheostoma products. Contact Luminaud, Inc. at 8688 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, Ohio 44060, USA or Phone: (800)255-3408 or (440)-255-9082, Fax: (440)255-2250, or E-mail: info@luminaud.com

National Captioning Institute (NCI) is the nonprofit corporation created in 1979 to provide the option of television access to deaf and hard-of-hearing communities and subsequently to those learning to speak English as a second language. They have used innovation and dedication to lead the way in providing high-quality service to viewers, and ground-breaking technologies to the providers of closed captioning. In 1979, NCI developed the decoder box, and a decade later, they partnered with ITT Corporation to invent the first caption-decoding microchip for television sets. NCI supplies world-class captioning services for broadcast and cable television, webcasting, home video and DVD, and government and corporate video programming. NCI also offers subtitling and language translation services in virtually any language. They additionally provide described video service for people who are blind or have low vision. NCI is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., and also has offices in Dallas, Texas, and Burbank, California.

OVAC Reading Systems offers a complete line of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) products for the visually impaired. CCTV's utilize closed circuit technology to magnify written materials and objects. Their video magnifiers assist people with reduced vision due to Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Glaucoma and many other conditions. Their products restore independence and privacy and the freedom to read on one's own again! A full range of magnifiers are available from a basic black and white to a full color with zoom autofocus. All OVAC units use any TV set for viewing, which reduces the overall cost and enables the device to be easily transported between office, home and vacations sites. The TV remains usable for watching TV programs without rewiring. The equipment operates from an AC to DC power adapter with UL safety approval. A padded, waterproof carrying case is provided with all models for portability and protection. All OVAC units include a free 2-year warranty. Custom configurations can meet your individual vision needs. Write 67-555 E. Palm Canyon Building C-103, Cathedral City, CA 92234, or call 1(800)325-4488.

RehabTool.com offers a variety of high-tech assistive and adaptive technology products, including augmentative and alternative communication devices, computer access equipment, multi-lingual speech synthesis, voice recognition software, virtual on-screen keyboards, voice-enabled communication boards, as well as cognitive rehabilitation tools. They also offer an informative quarterly newsletter and online discussion forum. For more information, call (281) 531-6106 or e-mail info@rehabtool.com.

Speech-to-Speech "is a service mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that enables people with a speech disability to use their own voice or a communication device to make a phone call." This service allows callers to make phone calls without using expensive TTY devices. To learn more about this service and to find your local Speech-to-Speech service number, visit the link provided above.

ZYGO Industries, Inc. is a company based in Portland, Oregon that has been providing individuals with profound disabilities with augmentative communication systems since 1974. They offer rental programs and will also assist individuals in determining if the device will be covered by their insurance program. They may also be able to refer their clients to programs that offer financial assistance for the purchase of augmentative devices. For more information about this company's products, visit their website or call (800) 234-6006.