Speak!!!!

"Touchchat opens the world to communication that the person didn't previously have"

Elyse Goldshein MS, CCC, SLP

Touchchat is a multifaceted communications app that improves the lives of those with limited or no verbal ability. With the simple touch of a button, your smart device will speak an array of phrases, sentences, and words. The app is divided into page sets that make it easy to navigate the system. Individuals with ALS, Down's syndrome, and Autism, to name but a few, can now reclaim their independence without an expensive dedicated device. The app is compatible with all smart devices including iPhones iPads and iPods.

The program features eight different page sets that include:

·       4 Basic  Simple vocabulary with four buttons per page (About me, social, clothes)

·       MyCore core words with phrases to make complete sentences  

·       Spelling Keyboard that uses word prediction.

·       VocabPC  Action phrases and sentences 12 buttons per page (I feel happy, Hello, nice to meet you)

·       Aphasia designed for people with Aphasia

·       MultiChat 15  Advanced communication with  (phrases, words and sentences chat question and describe)         

·       MyQuickChat  Quick words and phrases to express basic wants and needs.

·       WordPower a collection of vocabulary files that are organized into diverse groups

Page sets are broken into a myriad of pages that have intuitive buttons. Each page set caters to a broad spectrum of disabilities.

Based on an individuals  preference and/or intellectual needs the pages, buttons, voice messages, photos, vocabulary and layout can all be personalized. Photos are imported into the program with the built-in camera or the Internet Voice messages can be recorded with the voice synthesizer. Buttons can be dragged from one location to another. Unknown vocabulary words can be saved for future reference.

What I found most crucial was its ability to work with various programs such as Dropbox, Gmail and Youtube. For people with communication difficulties, this app is not only essential, but also fun and convenient given all life throws at us. For beginners, I feel that it is extremely easy to learn because they structure the material according to age and ability. The pictures are helpful for those with limited understanding of the vocabulary. The word prediction was excellent for me since I have fine motor delays. Those who are unable to press the buttons might require assistance when using Touchchat. Touchchat is $300, and is often covered by insurance when in a locked format.

For further information, please contact me at techblogspot89@gmail.com or comment below.

Crank up the volume!

Engrossed with electronics from an early age Dr. Amar G. Bose built an affluent radio repair business. While employed at MIT in 1964, he chose to broaden his horizons by establishing his own company called Bose. By studying psychoacoustics, it led him to invent state-of-the-art audio merchandise like no other of that time. Building on prior algorithms, Bose has become a monumental pioneer in the audio entertainment industry.

The SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker is engineered with the consumers’ needs in mind. Whether you are at the poolside or in the office, you can have your music readily available. Weighing 1.2lbs makes it convenient and easy to transport. In addition, the lithium-ion battery sports a battery life of up to eight hours. The sturdy water resistant soft exterior enables the speaker to withstand everyday wear and tear. You can activate countless features with the press of a button. Unlike similar devices, it delivers voice prompts to easily connect with a myriad of bluetooth devices including smartphones, tablets, and computers. It offers an extraordinary wireless range of 30 feet.

The Bose Connect app permits you to customize your settings based on your own personal preferences. Through the app, you can simultaneously alternate between diverse modes (DJ, Party, and Stereo) and receive quality customer support.

Bose designs their merchandise to be accessible to everyone on different platforms. Since I have physical and mental disability I am extremely fascinated with the many unique features it has to offer. I utilize it to listen to an assortment of audiobooks, music, and voice memos. The dynamic sound is so crisp and clear that I never miss a beat. The voice prompts walked me through the pairing of my devices. Since I am an enthusiastic auditory learner, it has been a crucial component in my success. The function I appreciate most is that I can answer calls hands-free.

I strongly urge anyone interested in a portable speaker to consider purchasing one. While the Soundlink Color is quite pricey at $129, its superb sound and impressive functionality make it a worthwhile investment. You won't regret it!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at techblogspot89@gmail.com or watch the video below!

https://youtu.be/taA06qCPK2U

Brushing your way to a healthy smile!!!

‘’Good oral health is so important to one’s overall health. ” Dr Pat Seagriff

Oral hygiene is an imperative skill for everyone - no matter your age, background or ability.  Taking good care of your teeth and gums, will not only benefit your whole body, but also your smile and confidence.  Brushing, flossing and rinsing regularly on a daily basis, is pertinent to one's well-being.

There are a number of tools available to facilitate this process.  One can use a regular toothbrush and a length of floss, or a battery operated toothbrush and a flosser with a holder.  But, if you really want to embrace all that the latest technology offers, you can consider the Oral B Genius Pro 8000.

For decades, The Oral-B brand has been a monumental pioneer in the dental hygiene industry. They provide multifaceted state-of-the-art electric toothbrushes that exceed ADA standards. All their products are backed by clinical research. The company prides itself on safety and effectiveness.  Using an electric toothbrush is the best way to improve one’s oral health. Their brush heads and handle are extremely effective at sweeping away at plaque and food debris.  Brushing twice a day and limiting sugary snacks is a vital way to avoid cavities.

Oral-B is the most trusted brand recommended by dentists worldwide.  The elite Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 is the world’s first exquisite toothbrush to offer position detection. The 3-D sensors allow you to maintain a healthy smile since they monitor your brushing habits via Bluetooth.  Then the intricate app translates the useful information based on your desired needs. It makes you cognizant of your brushing behavior and has a two-minute timer. Each cutting-edge Oral-B electric toothbrush has a rotating, oscillating, and pulsating head that breaks up plaque, sweeping it away. There are four brushing modes (whitening , sensitivity, tongue and deep clean) with  diverse interchangeable heads that give you a one-of-a-kind brushing experience (CrossAction, Whitening, Flossing , and DeepSweep)

Individuals with developmental disabilities tend to have poor dental hygiene. It would behoove them to use the Oral-B toothbrush. Caretakers can tailor the toothbrush to fit their loved ones needs right from the app and share the brushing feedback with their dentist. To gain full access to the app, you must attach it to your bathroom mirror using the suction cups on the back, so the camera can watch you brush. This can teach the disabled person how to brush their teeth. Tooth debris can be removed easily: simply by massaging the gums and teeth in a circular pattern. This will reduce inflammation and bleeding which is common among people with disabilities. Children and adults alike have almost the same oral hygiene problems.

I recently purchased my Oral-B toothbrush on Amazon for $157.  That price included a 3 year protection plan.  The toothbrush came with a charger, carrying case, cell phone holder and brush heads. I decided to buy it because I needed better dental support. It was highly recommended to me by my dentist. Since I’ve been using it I haven’t had any plaque or tartar . I use the toothbrush everyday with the CrossAction brush head. It does a superb job at cleaning my teeth. I will never go back to a manual brush! In my opinion, I feel Oral-B deserves five stars. It offers more features than any other toothbrush on the market. I feel I can’t live without it.  Always remember when you brush don’t rush!!

For further information, please contact me at techblogspot89@gmail.com or watch the video below!!!  https://youtu.be/Pco4M1livyg

Give me a hand!

The Unger enterprise was established in Hamburg Germany in 1964. They offer exceptional cleaning tools for diverse milieus. Their products take the hassle out of cleaning. Unger has become one of the leading competitors in the professional cleaning industry. Some of the products they have include; squeegees, buckets, microfiber cloths, chemicals and grabbers. They value superiority and safety when designing products.

The NiftyNabber® Pro grabber is like no other of its kind. It gives you an eco-friendly alternative to picking up garbage and other objects. You can easily maneuver and manipulate the gizmo by squeezing the handle. The robust rugged claws can withstand a lot of stress without dismantling. The compact and portable design allows for easy storage. This item can be purchased on Amazon for $31.30

Individuals with disabilities can use this device to promptly carry out everyday tasks such as retrieving objects from a shelf or closing a door. The NiftyNabber® Pro can help people live independent and healthy lives since they do not have to bend or strain themselves. Individuals with severe dexterity issues might have difficulty utilizing the grabber. Instead, they can use it as a stick to knock items off the shelf or pull things to them. Since I am an extremely practical person, I utilize the grabber to push my shoes off my feet on a daily basis.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns on this device or future topics please contact me at tecblogspot89@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!

More Juice Please!!!

For the past 20 years, DiGiPOWER Electronics Company has provided us with phenomenal digital accessories. They market state-of-the-art products that are for a convenient fast-paced lifestyle. Some of their merchandise includes camera accessories, power cables, power chargers and power banks. The company prides itself on compatibility and reliability.

The 4-port USB wall charger allows you to charge four devices effortlessly, at once, in the blink of an eye. Its built-in technology automatically senses your gadgets when synced together. This charger will expeditiously charge everything that is USB friendly.

Given that it is durable, portable and travel friendly, I find it especially suitable for individuals with disabilities. They can have multiple devices charging simultaneously with one wall unit. By utilizing this device, it offers a stress-free experience. Individuals who are physically impaired might require some assistance when charging their devices. You can get your hands on one of these for $30. If you need to charge a variety of devices at the same time, this would be a great investment.

For further inquiries, please comment below or email me at techblogspot89@gmail.com

Get a Grip!!!!

Get a Grip
Popsockets are nifty electronic accessories that attaches to the back of a smartphone or tablet. They function as a grip, kickstand, and cord wrap. Individuals can take superb selfies with the click of a button. Pop it twice to expand and collapse it to lay it flat. Popsockets are extremely beneficial when playing games, reading books, and watching movies.

Companies can advertise their business by having their logo printed on Popsockets. In addition, individuals can customize their own personalized grip with their photos and choice of colors. Each accessory has refined designs and colors that accentuate its features. Their prices range from $10-$15. Retailers from across the board sell this wonderful device.

Patrons with Parkinson’s disease and arthritis express infinite gratitude for the product. These consumers see them as “life changers”. They are able to manipulate their phone independently without the fear of dropping it. The Popsocket mount attaches to any surface.  This enables individuals with disabilities to use their phone hands-free especially while driving.

Since I am on a modest budget, I love that they are inexpensive. I enjoy perusing all the snazzy designs and materials. Sometimes, the adhesive does not stick to all iPhone cases or they lose their stickiness over time. In that case, you would have to get a new one. It is extremely lightweight and easy for me to use. Everyone should take advantage of its benefits. I look forward to creating my own Popsocket in the near future

     If you have any questions, please comment below or watch the video at https://youtu.be/k3z2Y4-YUlg

No Strings Attached!!!!!!

 The Apple AirPods are exquisite wireless Bluetooth earbuds that plummeted onto the market in September 2016. One of the features that makes them different from others alike is that they independently charge in a floss-like case that is compact and advantageous to users. This product permits the user to do a slew of things, which includes, listening to music, making phone calls and talking to Siri. The renowned W1 chip and sensors were developed, so the technology carries out an array of intricate tasks such as determining when the individual is using the AirPods.

The AirPods automatically synchronize with all Apple products. Individuals with mild hearing impairment can progress by utilizing the Apple AirPods to mitigate unnecessary stress. Each AirPod has a unique built-in microphone and sound system, which provides exceptional service to the user.  The sound quality is articulate and sharp making it easy to understand each word thus decreasing the fear of not comprehending perceptible information.

The wireless earbuds are a blessing for many people with physical limitations since they do not have to worry about untangling wires. One minor downfall to the AirPods is that those individuals with severe dexterity issues might have difficulty grasping each earbud to take them in and out of the case as well as putting them into the ears. Whether you are physically or visually impaired, you might require assistance to plug the AirPods in to charge.

Since the AirPods are wireless, they have benefitted me immensely in many ways. Each AirPod fits adequately in the portable case that it comes with, without the annoyance of wires. I like that the AirPods can remain charged for five hours given my hectic lifestyle. I primarily use my pods when I am listening to Spotify, making phone calls, and using a variety of apps. Unlike my past headphones, they are reasonably priced at $160. Prior to purchasing the Apple AirPods, I bought a trendy portable purple outer case that can conveniently attach to my keys. Since the AirPods are a viable tool that can foster independence, I recommend them to people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and disabilities.

If you are interested in learning more about the Apple AirPods or have any questions, I cordially invite you to contact me at techblogspot89@gmail.com.