Press Release
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jason Voiovich: 651-294-2200 or jvoiovich@ablenetinc.com
AbleNet Featuring Latest Assistive Technology and Education Innovations at Upcoming ATIA 2010 Chicago Conference
Presentations and Products Feature the Latest Education, Rehabilitation, Vocation, and Independent Living Assistive Technology Innovations for All Disabilities and Age Groups
St. Paul, MN – October 21, 2010 – AbleNet, Inc. will feature its newest and most popular assistive technology products at the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2010 Chicago Conference being held from October 27–30, 2010. Jen Thalhuber, CEO of AbleNet, Inc. is the current president of the ATIA. This conference gives professionals including administrators, teachers, speech therapists, occupational and physical therapists, clinicians an opportunity to see the very latest in access, environmental control, communications devices, and curricular solutions.
"It has been an honor to be the current president and long-term supporter of ATIA," said AbleNet CEO Jen Thalhuber. "This organization has been instrumental to companies like AbleNet who are dedicated to helping professional practitioners better understand and use the rapidly growing range of innovative products and services that maximize accessibility, increase learning and simplify real-life challenges posed by disease, illness, accident or other disabling conditions."
Featured Products: Several of the following newest AbleNet products will be showcased at company booth #332. These products are simple-to-use assistive technology solutions and curricular programs that empower people with complex physical and cognitive disabilities, including those with low vision. These products maximize opportunities for users to engage in everyday activities to the fullest extend.
Boost™: The Boost™ Personal Video Magnifier has a compact, colorful design that is durable and user-friendly. This video magnifier is an easy-to-use portable tool that "boosts" reading and comprehension for adults as well as children with vision impairment. Adults can keep Boost handy in their pocket for convenient use while shopping, attending community events, reading at home and much more. Boost will also help students improve their reading skills and comprehension. The lightweight Boost has two levels of magnification, a 3.5-inch screen, anti-blur technology, rechargeable battery and a two-year manufacturer's warranty.
SoundingBoard™: SoundingBoard™ is the newest member of a long line of communication devices from AbleNet that enables communications by people who are nonverbal or those with limited ability to speak. SoundingBoard is a new application designed specifically for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and allows the user to "speak" simply by touching the symbol shown on the display screen. This device benefits individuals with a broad range of disabilities who have complex communication needs; such as developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy or autism. Users can create custom communication boards, routines, and visual schedules recorded in any language. A broad set of AbleNet symbols is included as a starting point, but users can use their own photos to customize and build a unique AAC device.
QuickTalker™: This is AbleNet's new easy-to-use, go-anywhere communicator, which enables the student or child to start communicating in minutes. The QuickTalker communicator is the most affordable multi-message device on the market today. It is available with 7, 12 and 23 locations. The variety of message locations and the five available levels provide the flexibility needed to customize the communication and learning outcomes for each student.
QuickTalker combines the expertise and experience AbleNet has built up over its years of manufacturing customer-led augmentative and alternative communications (AAC) devices and includes such features as:
- Built-in handle for easy portability
- Built-in symbols storage
- Variable recording time depending on model
Conference Presentations: AbleNet will also be giving several conference presentations, which include the following.
Session Code: EDU-11
Session Title: Easy-Tech Assistive Technology Solutions
Date and Time: Thursday, October 28, 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM
Easy-tech tools such as switches, communication aids, and simple environmental control units provide powerful support and control for individuals with disabilities at home, school and around the community. In this session, an array of these devices will be discussed and powerful examples for real world application will be explored. The attendees will see that by connecting these tools together, individuals with disabilities can achieve an even greater quality of life.
Session Code: PHY-14
Session Title: Access for ALL: Easy-to-High-Tech EADLs
Date and Time: Thursday, October 28, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
This session will illustrate the spectrum of EADL solutions available from AbleNet. Session attendees will learn how the right ECU can deliver independence and interaction at any skill level.
Session Code: AAC-10
Session Title: Reinforcing Life Skills, AAC, and Adulthood Transition Through Home Automation
Date and Time: Thursday, October 28th, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
This session is ideal for those interested in learning about AAC and home automation.
Providing someone with a communication aid is just the beginning in a series of progressions towards effective communication. Many high-end Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCA) contain infrared (IR) transmitters. IR transmitters can also be attached to ports on a computer. Most of today's common household items (TV, DVD, Hi-Fi etc) are controllable by IR. Other technologies such as Radio Frequency (RF), X10 and wireless computer technologies can be used via IR-X10 converters etc.
Session Code: EDU-32
Session Title: Equals Mathematics = Math for All
Date and Time: Friday, October 29th, 2:35 PM – 3:35 PM
AbleNet has developed a comprehensive, researched based math curriculum aligned to K - 12 math standards for students with mild, moderate, and severe/profound disabilities. Participants will be introduced to the Equals Mathematics program that covers a broad spectrum of standards-based objectives, utilizes special education best practice methodologies and links the use of use of manipulatives, tools, and assistive technology to support significant levels of achievement.
Conference Specials: AbleNet also is offering several conference specials for ATIA attendees.
Buy two Star Reporter Curricular Programs and get one free.
Order the Equals Mathematics Curriculum and receive the Calculator Tutor free.
Twitter followers will get the "secret word" and the first 15 followers to arrive at the booth with the "secret word" will receive the new Splatz switch mount!
To learn more about these products, visit www.ablenetinc.com.
About AbleNet
AbleNet is an international company and industry leader in providing educational and technical solutions to help children and adults with disabilities lead productive and fulfilled lives. This includes a complete line of communication aids for nonverbal individuals; access aids, such as switches and wheelchair-mounting devices for people who require physical supports; and special education classroom curriculum and software that both enhance and help ensure learning progress. The products are represented in more than 60 countries and used in hundreds of thousands of classrooms in the United States and across the globe. For more information visit www.ablenetinc.com.