Press Release
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kris Sundberg: 612-332-4222 or kris@linksresults.com
AbleNet Showcases Latest, Affordable Assistive Technologies and Communications Aids at the REHACARE International Trade Fair and Congress
Newest Products being featured include QuickTalker™ Communication Device Series, Boost™ Personal Video Magnifier and SoundingBoard™, an Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch tool
St. Paul, MN – September 23, 2010 – AbleNet is featuring its latest products at the 2010 REHACARE International Trade Fair and Congress, October 6 - 9, 2010, in Düsseldorf, Germany. Millions of people worldwide with a variety of medical and developmental conditions use AbleNet's Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) products. AbleNet will feature a wide range of its communications devices, environmental control units and access products at the conference.
"We are delighted to continue introducing new, affordable assistive technologies and communication aids around the globe," states Adam Wing, vice president of Global Business for AbleNet, Inc. "AbleNet is focused on bringing ever more powerful, easy-tech communications tools that use the most current technology hardware on the market."
The AbleNet team will demonstrate several recently introduced products as well as their most popular products. Groundbreaking technologies with leading consumer electronic brands will be available to view for the first time. The following products will be available for demonstration or review. Newest AbleNet Products:
QuickTalker™ Communication Device Series is the easy-to-use, go-anywhere communicator range. People can communicate in minutes at levels appropriate for their needs and capabilities. This modern design is rugged enough for everyday use but is aesthetically appealing, keeping the product fun and exciting for users. This communicator has models that offer 7-, 12- or 23-message locations and offers the ability to fit the right communication solutions for each user.
QuickTalker combines the expertise and experience AbleNet has built up over its years of manufacturing customer-led AAC devices and includes such features as:
• Built-in handle for easy portability
• Built-in symbols storage
• Variable recording time depending on model
The Boost™ Personal Video Magnifier is 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 2 levels of magnification, a 3.5 inch screen, anti blur technology, rechargeable battery, and a two year manufacturer's warranty.
SoundingBoard™ is the newest member of a long line of communication devices from AbleNet that enables communications by nonverbal people 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 will benefit a wide range of disabilities, from children with developmental language disorders, to individuals with severe physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, to people living with the effects of a stroke.
AbleNet will also showcase many of its most popular products at the conference, including the following.
Talking Brix™ are simple, affordable ways to build personal communications messages that can perform a range of daily tasks—such as using one Talking-Brix for personal reminders, or attaching several together to create simple, scalable communication grids. Talking Brix are thin, lightweight communicators with built-in magnets, perfect for carrying in a pocket or placing around the room. For tabletop users, Talking Brix use an ingenious tab and slot connector to link to other Brix.
iTalk2™ with Levels is a three-level communicator that gives users the freedom to choose between sets of communication messages as desired. It has improved digital sound and 80 percent more recording time than the original iTalk2™. The increased power, combined with the added convenience of three levels, allows pre-recording a number of choices for use throughout the day or for recording and storing choices that are used on a regular basis. It also helps the individual with speech impairment ask and answer questions, tell jokes and make comments in social situations. A toy or appliance can be added for immediate positive reinforcement and message enhancement.
SuperTalker™ progressive communicator has digital technology that provides crystal-clear sound. This easy-to-learn and easy-to-use communicator is powerful enough to be the only voice output device many users need. It can be used as a single-message communicator for beginners and progress to a two-, four-, or eight-message communicator as the user's needs and abilities change, but it also can be used by multiple users in a classroom setting. SuperTalker also offers eight levels so as many as 64 messages can be recorded and stored.
SuperTalker features 16 minutes of recording time and a total of eight levels of messaging capability. Every message location is accessible via external switch and is equipped with a special "Step Ahead" jack that allows a single switch to activate SuperTalker's messages in order. AT Specialists find SuperTalker particularly useful as a portable assessment tool.
BIG/LITTLE Step-by-Step™ communicator provides better-than-ever digital sound. Any series of messages can be recorded into the LITTLE Step-by-Step Communicator. Press its activation surface once to hear the first message. Press it again to hear the next message in the sequence, and so on. Two full minutes of recording time allow recording as many messages as needed. LITTLE Step-by-Step features an angled base and 2½-inch activation surface; and can come with three levels that allow for three different conversations to be recorded on the same device.
BIGmack® communicator allows the recording of any single message directly into the BIGmack communicator. Press the activation surface for playback of up to two minutes in length. Connecting a toy or appliance is possible for additional motivation. With its large, 5-inch activation surface, BIGmack is well suited for people with visual impairments and people with physical disabilities who require a larger target area.
FL4SH™ scanning communicator features a vibrant and highly visible light source that frames each picture symbol in succession, a significant improvement over tracking tiny LED lights. FL4SH incorporates automatic overlay detection—an innovative use of barcode technology that allows FL4SH to recognize individual overlays and adjust its output accordingly.
Special education professionals can use this scanning communicator to adapt to a variety of situations, both in and out of the classroom, and AAC professionals value this as a versatile assessment tool.
PowerLink® 4 Control Unit is one of AbleNet's newest product enhancements. It brings AbleNet's wireless technology and expanded functionality to an easy-to-use device that controls electrically driven appliances, learning tools, toys and more.
PowerLink is a worldwide market leader in delivering switch access to electrical appliances. It is also a powerful tool for clinicians and educators. The new version offers additional modes of control, a simplified setup process and AbleNet wireless technology allowing up to 16 wireless switches to be connected. These new modes of control include "Count Mode," which records and displays the number of device activations. The "Two-Switch Mode" requires two switches to be activated simultaneously to turn on any appliances, encouraging cooperative learning activities or promoting desired motor movements.
Latitude™ Customizable Mounting Arm System provides an ideal balance of strength, durability and flexibility. The Latitude™ARM makes it easy to handle just about any mounting challenge. From a standardized base interface, to quick-release levers, to a universal plate connector, the Latitude™ARM gives all the options of a mounting system that costs much more.
TrackerPro features a small camera that mounts to the computer monitor and converts movement of a reflective target worn by the user into a simulated computer mouse movement. Typically, it is used to track head movement to replace hand movement of a mouse.
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. Our products are used in hundreds of thousands of homes, clinics and classrooms in the United States and across the globe. AbleNet is an ESOP company located in Roseville, Minnesota. For more information visit www.ablenetinc.com.