Products
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Now your personalized JAWS and MAGic settings can travel with you from computer-to-computer, with new thumb drive versions available for download on the Freedom Scientific Web site.
This new option lets you install your preferred JAWS screen reading and MAGic magnification software settings onto a device that fits in your pocket or hangs from your keychain. To use, simply download the thumb drive versions of JAWS 7.0 or MAGic 9.5 and install them on any 128 MB or larger thumb drive. Once installed, you can connect your thumb drive to any Windows 2000 or XP computer that has the FS Video Intercept installed, and the program will automatically launch, depending on your Windows configuration. When you are running the thumb drive version, any settings you customized will save to the thumb drive. To install FS Video Intercept, you can download a free utility from the Freedom Scientific Web site. If JAWS 6.0 or later is installed on the computer, there is no need to use this utility.
For more details on the thumb drive version of JAWS and MAGic and the free utility to install FS Video Intercept, visit the JAWS and MAGic for USB Thumb Drives - Questions and Answers page on the Freedom Scientific Web site.
Aroga Group is pleased to invite you to our next Open House featuring AAC and Physical Access products. We're calling this event "Technology Daze" and we're holding it at three locations across Canada; Vancouver, Edmonton, and Montreal on Jan. 30, 31, and Feb. 2nd, respectively. Technology Daze will give you the opportunity to attend presentations and visit exhibits from different manufacturers and developers to learn more about their products. The majority of our manufacturers have committed to participate at all three locations and we hope you'll attend so that we can make this an annual event that will grow and offer more each year.
To find more information about Technology Daze or to check out the presentation schedule, you can check out our Events page at www.aroga.com/events
We look forward to seeing you there!
Joining Comfort and Computer Compatibility
Built for users who want a full-featured system, this computer compatible video magnifier has it all! It uses advanced technologies that allow the viewing of computer files and magnified images simultaneously. The system uses superior auto focus technology that brings pictures and documents into clear, crisp focus instantly.
Merlin LCD Plus is perfect for the workplace, school, and in the home. Boasting an ergonomic arm this flexible unit allows the user to pivot and adjust the screen to offer the most comfortable viewing position.
- Now available with a 17" or 19" LCD monitor
- 5 to 61x magnification
- Features 24 programmable custom color combinations
Complete Product information on Merlin LCD
The Adaptech Research Network is investigating the accessibility of eLearning to Canadian college and university students with disabilities, including students with learning disabilities. We define eLearning as all information and communication technologies, such as PowerPoint, CD-ROMs and the Internet, that are used by professors in classroom and online courses.
We are looking for :
- college and university students with disabilities who have taken at
least one course in the last three years where the professor used some
form of eLearning; - staff who provide disability-related services at Canadian postsecondary
institutions; - college and university professors who have taught at least one student
with a disability during the last three years in a course where they used
some form of eLearning; and - individuals who support/implement eLearning at Canadian postsecondary
institutions, including VPs and managers of distance education and
instructional technology departments; persons who train faculty to use
technology or multimedia; designers and developers of eLearning on campus,
and so on.
Participants will be asked to complete a confidential online survey lasting approximately 20 minutes twice, one month apart.
This study is part of the Disability and Information Technologies Research Alliance and is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
For more information or to participate in this study send an email to eLearning@Adaptech.org and indicate whether you are a student with a disability, an individual who provides disability-related services, a professor, or an individual who supports/implements eLearning on campus.
SpeakQ™ speech recognition plug-in for WordQ 2 
SpeakQ helps you focus on writing through your voice... simply!
SpeakQ is for those who cannot use other speech recognition products because they cannot fluently dictate at 160wpm, remember verbal commands, and/or get through training.
SpeakQ plugs into WordQ and adds simple speech recognition. It helps users, particularly those with learning disabilities (LD), who cannot use other speech recognition products because of reading demands and complexity.
SpeakQ features a simple training interface where the computer prompts you by voice what to say. You can then dictate directly into any document or dictate into WordQ's prediction list. Your speech is combined with the word prediction. To keep it simple, there are no verbal commands. You only dictate text. Teachers in special education will appreciate its simplicity.
Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Version 9 Patch 9.1
A patch for Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Version 9 is now available (Patch 9.1).
NOTE: This patch is intended for Kurzweil 3000 Version 9.0, both standalone and network editions. After it is installed, the Kurzweil 3000 Version number will change to 9.01.
http://www.kurzweiledu.com/downloads_k3000win_updates_ver9.asp
Make sure that Version 9.0 of Kurzweil 3000 is installed, by checking Help-About Kurzweil 3000
Version 9 Documentation Note:
White on Black Scanning option: The Kurzweil 3000 product documentation cites this as an option under Extras. However, as of Version 9, Kurzweil 3000 does this automatically for ScanSoft and FineReader. The option is only shown if Expervision OCR is installed, which may be the case if Kurzweil 3000 Version 8 or earlier was never uninstalled.
Changes/Fixes in Patch 9.1:
1. Added support for Encarta 2006 (standard version only).
2. Added double-click option on Online Reference Lookup and Online Reference History lists.
3. Fixed issue when viewing a user dictionary of more than 255 words.
4. Added a confirmation dialog to avoid accidentally invoking Reset Page in Zone Editor..
5. Fixed issue when ScanSoft OCR fails on a very tall image and does not give an error message.
6. Fixed issue when reading note "in place" that is sometimes read in wrong order when columns are present.
7. Updated Online reference to address changes in Websites for Wikipedia and Britannica.
8. Fixed issue when context button in Ranked Spelling dialog is initially grayed out.
9. Fixed issue which occurs when Expervision OCR is installed, then OCR is changed to ScanSoft Fast and a PDF file is subsequently opened.
10. Fixed issue when Enter key is ignored in image documents when user is using menus.
11. Fixed issue when Language change is sometimes ignored when reading.
12. Fixed improper numbering in Footnotes in text docs with Bubble Notes.
13. Fixed issue when Extract option sometimes places note text in the wrong place.
14. Fixed skipping first note when reading Voice Notes in place.
15. Removed Language option from the Writing toolbar in Classic toolbar set.
16. Reduced amount of blue text when viewing pages from Wikipedia.
17. Fixed issue when Language setting is incorrect with single letter words.
18. Fixed issue with not being able to exit the network client for a few seconds after startup.
19. Fixed various issues with Firefox 1.1 when installing KESI Reader.
20. Fixed occurrence of "Look up word I type" in Firefox browser.
21. Fixed issue when changing the KESIReader port in the Window’s registry does not work.
22. Fixed issue when using Online Reference with Britannica($) and selecting Cancel twice.
23. Fixed issue when user plugs in a USB joystick and then launches Kurzweil 3000.
24. Fixed WPM (words per minute) not changing properly when doing Change User.
25. Restored hotkeys (F9-F12) to jump to next/previous word and next/previous line in Edit Underlying Text.
26. Fixed issue with Context button in Ranked Spelling.
Introducing Two new Kurzweil 3000 Guides for Teachers
We are pleased to introduce two new Kurzweil 3000 guides for teachers - Strategies for English Language Learning Using Kurzweil 3000 and Guide to Effective Vocabulary Instruction Using Kurzweil 3000. These two guides join the Active Learning and Study Strategies Guide Using Kurzweil 3000 as part of a series of guides intended to help teachers effectively use the features of Kurzweil 3000 to help their students struggling with language and literacy issues.
Strategies for English Language Learning Using Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 features are particularly well-suited for the learning requirements of English Language Learners. In addition to research-based strategies for teaching ELL students, this guide provides specific applications of Kurzweil 3000 features to enable, enhance and accelerate English language learning. This valuable guide is designed for both English Language Learning (ELL) and general education teachers with ELL students in their class.
Note: This guide is based on features available in Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Version 9.
Guide to Effective Vocabulary Instruction Using Kurzweil 3000
Vocabulary instruction is key to learning and student success. In this guide, Joan Sedita, a nationally renowned education consultant and teacher trainer, offers research-based strategies for teaching vocabulary as well as suggestions for using Kurzweil 3000 features for effective vocabulary instruction. This informative guide is useful for both special education and general education teachers with struggling students in their class.
Note: This guide is based on features available in Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Version 9 and planned for Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Version 4. Because of the timing of the release of the guide and of Version 4, we made the decision to base the guide on V4 rather than having to update it again when V4 comes out in Q1 2006.
New Feature in Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 now has support for ASL Animations from Vcom3D, included in both of the Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Version 9 patches, 9.1 and 9.2. This feature could be very useful for individuals who are deaf or want to learn American Sign Language (ASL).
Using the Picture Dictionary feature in Kurzweil 3000, users can select or type in and lookup ASL vocabulary words from the Vcom3D series of ASL animations, Volume 1 and Volume 2. Combined, Volumes 1 and 2 contain signs for approximately 600 words. This support for ASL animations in Kurzweil 3000 is also mentioned in the Vcom3D documentation for Volume 2. For more information on Vcom3D products, go to their Web site: http://www.vcom3d.com.
The advantage to using the Vcom3D ASL animations is that while other picture dictionary files use static images to describe/define words, ASL Animations demonstrate the exact sign movements for a given word. There is even support for GIF loop files that will repeat the movements of a given animation.
Kurzweil 3000 for Windows supports the use of these animated GIF files using the Picture Dictionary feature. You must have Version 9.01 or 9.02 installed. If you have Version 9.0 installed, you can download Patch 9.2 which will allow the GIF files to animate. If you have an internet connection, the patch can be accessed from the Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Download Patches and Updates Page or by accessing the Updates feature from the Online menu within Kurzweil 3000.
If you have Version 9.0 installed, you can download Patch 9.2 which will allow the GIF files to animate. If you have an internet connection, the patch can be accessed from the Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Download Patches or by accessing the Updates feature from the Online menu within Kurzweil 3000.
Industry leaders IntelliTools, Inc. (www.intellitools.com), and Madentec Limited (www.madentec.com), today announced the launch of a new joint product called IntelliSwitch, at the Closing the Gap conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
IntelliSwitch is an easy and flexible switch interface for the computer, providing wireless access to most switch accessible software from IntelliTools, Madentec’s Discover software, and other software programs. Users simply install its driver software, plug its small receiver into a computer’s USB port, and plug a switch into one of its five switch ports. The computer can now be controlled by one or more switches completely wireless from up to twenty feet away.
Arjan Khalsa, IntelliTools’ President and CEO, explains, “From discussions with our user community, 
we learned that it was a good time to reinvigorate switch scanning. We wanted to invoke the simplicity of the IntelliKeys interface with the depth of Kenx and Discover products. We are delighted to have formed a partnership with Madentec to accomplish this purpose.”
Randy Marsden, Madentec’s President and CEO, states, “Prior to this announcement, the world of computer access was segmented, with many diverse and over-lapping solutions that were often difficult to keep track of. Now, the choices are streamlined, simple, and powerful. Our partnership with IntelliTools is what has made this possible and we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to contribute to the “Intelli” family of products.”
IntelliSwitch has two built-in switches for the convenience of teachers, trainers, therapists, family members, and other AT practitioners. The five external switch inputs can be independently configured with over 25 preset signals, making IntelliSwitch one of the most comprehensive switch interfaces on the market. Two AA batteries will power IntelliSwitch wirelessly for weeks, or optionally, it can be plugged directly into the computer’s USB port with the supplied cable.
IntelliSwitch works seamlessly with IntelliTools’ Classroom Suite software, exactly the same as switches plugged into IntelliKeys (only now there are five inputs instead of two). It also works seamlessly with Madentec’s Discover software, extending switch control to the whole computer, including mainstream software that does not have scanning built-in. Finally, IntelliSwitch can be configured through its Control Panel software to also control other third-party software that does have scanning built-in.
“Our Engineers have worked together and in person with the Engineers from IntelliTools to ensure seamless compatibility between both companies’ products”, explains Marsden. “It has been a technical collaboration that is unprecedented in our industry, the result of which will mean simpler, yet more powerful solutions for our mutual customers”.
Free PMViewer Brings a Better View of the PAC Mate to the Classroom Now sighted teachers can observe the work on their students’ PAC Mates, thanks to the free PMViewer, a new utility available for download from the Freedom Scientific Web site.
PMViewer brings powerful new support for the classroom, giving teachers an easy way to view the
output of the PAC Mate on the teacher’s own computer monitor, through a guest or standard ActiveSync connection. PMViewer, which works in conjunction with Microsoft’s Remote Display Control program, installs in a snap and completes in a matter of seconds, with no additional configuration required. A PMViewer shortcut is automatically placed on your computer’s desktop.
Once installed, all the teacher needs to do is connect the PAC Mate to the PC, select the PMViewer shortcut, and the PAC Mate screen will appear on the monitor.
Parents and other sighted individuals who work with PAC Mate users also can benefit from PMViewer. The utility allows the sighted party to:
- Use a PC keyboard and mouse to navigate the PAC Mate menus and dialogues
- Open and read documents that a student has created on the PAC Mate
- Make corrections or insert comments in a document right from the PC
The student can continue to use the PAC Mate while connected to PMViewer. This allows the teacher or parent to observe and provide feedback as the student is working. Corrections or changes that the student makes in a document using the PAC Mate keyboard display on the PC.
New Website a Boon to Parents and Teachers of Vision Impaired Children
Quantum Technology has announced the launch of a new website devoted solely to the Mountbatten
Braille Writer and braille literacy. The Mountbatten is now recognized around the world as the leading tool for helping young children achieve braille literacy and the technical literacy they will need to compete in our increasingly electronic world. This site contains a world of information and resources for parents and educators, as well as stories from people who currently use the Mountbatten.
“After 20 years spent developing technology solutions for vision impaired children, I still believe one of the biggest barriers they face is a lack of expectations” stated Tim Connell, Managing Director of Quantum Technology. “We need to have higher expectations and provide more powerful tools to students just setting out on the road to literacy. Braille skills combined with technology skills will be the keys to the future for many of these children” he says.
The site contains links to research work undertaken using the Mountbatten at SET-BC in Canada and at the Texas School for the Blind, copies of papers and presentations, links to sources of curriculum materials, information that may help in fundraising and much more.
You can find the site at www.mountbattenbrailler.com.
To mark their 40th year as a worldwide leader in the field of augmentative and assistive communication (AAC) technology, PRC is announcing two unique programs for 2006 designed to 
honor the individuals they serve: children and adults with communication-related disabilities.
Through the international "40 for 40" program, PRC will donate 40 of their industry-leading speech-output devices to individuals who lack funding-assistance options and would otherwise not be able to obtain a communication aid such as PRC's SpringBoard, Vantage, Vanguard, and Pathfinder.
Throughout 2006, PRC will showcase "40 Heroes of AAC" on their website. Featured will be PRC device users from around the world who have overcome serious communication challenges and become inspirations for future generations of AAC communicators.
Freedom Scientific is excited to announce the release of their FaceToFace to the Suite of Deaf-Blind Solutions -- FaceToFace is a portable communications solution for the deaf-blind. Deaf-blind users of the PAC Mate BX and QX accessible Pocket PC now have the ability to engage immediately in a conversation with a friend, colleague, or even a new acquaintance without the need for a specially trained interpreter.
FaceToFace applies mobile technology and Bluetooth connectivity to deliver a powerful new way for the deaf-blind to initiate two-way conversation with sighted individuals almost anywhere at anytime. The application works much like a TTY call without a phone line. The deaf-blind party uses the PAC Mate’s QWERTY or Perkins-style keyboard to write messages and the sighted party types on an iPAQ Pocket PC. The entire conversation is displayed on both devices – visually on the iPAQ and in braille on the PAC Mate. Each party is individually identified, so it’s easy to keep contextual track of conversations. Conversations can be saved to text files, and text can be pasted right into a conversation for increased speed and accuracy. The two parties communicate wirelessly and can be up to 30 feet apart – virtually anywhere in the same room. The deaf-blind user can also converse with another blind user running the application on another PAC Mate.
“The addition of FaceToFace now makes the PAC Mate a one-of-a-kind all around communication device for the deaf-blind,” said Brad Davis, Vice President of Freedom Scientific. “Users can do e-mail, instant messaging, and relay calls from any internet connection, including wireless hotspots. With FSTTY they can place and receive phone calls over any analog phone line. And now, with FaceToFace they can strike up a conversation with just about anyone be they sighted or blind.”
For more information and to place an order, contact Aroga at 1-800-561-6222.
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