Skip to content

Dynavox

Listen to this article

Watching this video, I learned a very shocking statistic. Only 2% of people who can’t communicate ever learn of a device like this. The other 98% remain silent. That’s awful! Watch this video for a deeper look inside Dynavox.

I wanted to tell everyone about Dynavox products. These speech devices are technically referred to as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). I received a new Dynavox last year. Mine is an SC mini but there are several different types of devices, different add ons and different settings. I will cover some information but I encourage people to visit the website to learn about everything.   

https://us.tobiidynavox.com

The Dynavox website has a paragraph that I really love. It says : A human right – The communication bill of rights states that everyone has the right to learn to communicate, to be spoken with and not about, to know and ask what’s happening to them and to make their preferences known. Everyone has the right to a communication system all the time and deserves to have a voice. For people with conditions that impact communication, AAC is the means of achieving this basic human right.

Here is the link to ASHA- American Speech-Language-Hearing association Communication Bill of Rights https://www.asha.org/njc/communication-bill-of-rights/

To participate fully in communication interactions, each person has these fundamental communication rights:

The right to interact socially, maintain social closeness, and build relationships

The right to request desired objects, actions, events, and people

The right to refuse or reject undesired objects, actions, events, or choices

The right to express personal preferences and feelings

The right to make choices from meaningful alternatives

The right to make comments and share opinions

The right to ask for and give information, including information about changes in routine and environment

The right to be informed about people and events in one’s life

The right to access interventions and supports that improve communication

The right to have communication acts acknowledged and responded to even when the desired outcome cannot be realized

The right to have access to functioning AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) and other AT (assistive technology) services and devices at all times

The right to access environmental contexts, interactions, and opportunities that promote participation as full communication partners with other people, including peers

The right to be treated with dignity and addressed with respect and courtesy

The right to be addressed directly and not be spoken for or talked about in the third person while present

The right to have clear, meaningful, and culturally and linguistically appropriate communications

AAC’s are more than just a device to someone who can’t communicate. It’s freedom, the chance to be heard, empowering people to speak up and share their needs and feelings, to be able to make choices for themselves.

The Dynavox software is very easy to use. Besides the great communication boards, it also offers a calendar, clock, timer, games, whiteboard and many other options if you unlock wifi. I was able to get an Alexa for the first time. It has a bunch of preset sentences for Alexa and plenty of room to pre-set your own. It’s able to control smart home devices. I especially like that it can connect to Echo dropin and broadcast so a disabled person can easily contact everyone in the house through video or voice and text anyone they need to.

They have so many different capabilities. For instance, instead of a synthetic voice, they can use yours or someone else’s :

https://us.tobiidynavox.com/blogs/product-discovery/voice-banking-demonstration-listen-to-a-natural-vs-personal-synthetic-device

They offer several different devices including an eyetracker. Eyetracker enables people with physical disabilities to control a Windows device with their eyes. Replace a traditional keyboard and mouse with your eyes – surf the web, connect on social media, play games, create documents, control smart home devices and more.

They also offer their software to purchase if you have your own device that you feel comfortable using.  https://us.tobiidynavox.com/collections/apps-software

They have many different accessories to fit your unique needs – wheelchair mounts, floor stands, desk mounts, carrying bags, shoulder straps, table stands, keyguards, handles, a headmouse, PCEye carrying case (eye gaze device. It is very small and works with any Windows computer), a honey bee switch (allows certain devices to sense body movement), etc….. One of my favorites is called AccessIT 3. It’s the TD snap software on a small usb drive that will allow you to use the software, with your settings, on any Windows computer.

There are representatives across the United states, Canada and some other countries who help you throughout the entire process and afterwards. They are extremely nice and very helpful. They are very good at securing funding too! Most insurances require you to work with a speech therapist who can assess you, attest to your need for it, help set up the device and train you to use it easily. 

Setting it up is an extremely important process because you can alter everything to fit your particular needs. It’s very beneficial to work with the consultant and speech therapist for this. It’s very detailed and they are well versed in navigating the settings effortlessly. You can choose the voice, layout, speed, age range to determine age appropriate words and pictures, etc….. Also grid size. I think I have 10 x 8=80 boxes per page, while a child or someone with limited capacity might have 10 total. 

They also offer so many different avenues of training or assistance. It comes with training cards, they have live events, there are support articles, a video library, zoom calls, plus, the consultant and phone or online support are available for you.

Insurance won’t cover unlocking your device to the internet but you can have that done for a one time $25 fee. Just let your consultant know that you need help doing that. 

Just like wheelchairs and a lot of medical equipment, most insurances only cover a new device every 5 years so make sure you are really careful.

Here is the link to find a local representative: https://us.tobiidynavox.com/pages/find-a-solutions-consultant

This is my second device with this company and I have been so pleased with the device, the company and the people associated with the company. I would definitely recommend them!

Gina

Hi! My name is Gina. I had Meningoencephalitis in 2008 and I've been in a wheelchair since then. Meningoencephalitis is a rare and life-threatening condition in which you have meningitis and encephalitis at the same time. Healthcare providers may also call it encephalomeningitis. Meningitis is an infection or inflammation of the area surrounding your brain and spinal cord (meninges). I really like writing and absolutely love helping other people! Check out my videos, shorts and playlists on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGTPlhJVar4qRHnWAxY0wg and check out Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/37MHa6kdqBbhoqbkSlDIcS I talk about disability issues as well as everyday stuff Please subscribe to all to be notified when anything new is added. Love You!

You may also like...

0 0 votes
Article Rating
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
descargador de videos atube catcher gratis
descargador de videos atube catcher gratis
2 months ago

Hey there You have done a fantastic job I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends Im confident theyll be benefited from this site