2. Assistive Technology Communication Aids LIGHTWRITERS Sarah Bartman WMU

3. Assistive Technology – What is it? Assistive Technology - any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Assistive Technology Products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life. http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/disabilityservices/glossary.htm Assistive Technology devices can help improve physical or mental functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, help prevent the worsening of a condition, strengthen a physical or mental weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or even replace a missing limb http://www.rehabtool.com/at.htmlwww.rehabtool.com/at.html

4. Communication Devices Communication Devices are: products and equipment designed to help persons with speech disabilities or writing difficulties to communicate. At its very simplest, augmentative communication can be a page with picture choices or alphabet letters that a person points to. It can also involve highly sophisticated speaking computers with on-screen communication boards and auditory or visual scanning. http://www.rehabtool.com/at.html

5. Communication Device cont The Lightwriter is an augmentative communication device which uses DECtalk synthesized speech. The user has the choice of a standard keyboard layout, or an ABCDE straight alphabet layout. The user simply types on the keyboard and their message is displayed on an LCD panel while it is turned into synthesized speech. The device is very small and light-weight, making it easy to carry around, or attach to a wheelchair. Also, the Lightwriter can produce hard copy records of anything which is entered in the device, and can store information in its memory for later use. http://natri.uky.edu/resmenu.html One example of a Communication Device is the… L I G H T W R I T E R Lightwriters can be purchased at price Any where from $4,295.00 to $4,995.00 (prices are for model SL35) Click on link below to purchase http://briserv.com/zygo/products_i nclude.cfm?product=49&category =2&subcategory=0&subsubcatego ry=0&more=yes

6. BIO: ALL ABOUT ME My name is Sarah Bartman. I am a student at Western Michigan University with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in English. I enjoy the beach and shopping. I have two dogs, Mike and Emma. I hope to one day be a Kindergarten teacher, living in a sunny and warm location.