Voice Output Communication Aid:

ChatBox

ChatBox offers people who cannot speak an inexpensive and viable means of communicating with their families, friends and others in their everyday world. By combining the use of meaningful pictorial images with the latest technology, ChatBox enables an individual to quickly and easily speak with others. Whether it is used by a child with Cerebral Palsy or an adult who has suffered brain trauma, ChatBox is an integral part of breaking the silence.

Becoming Conversant with ChatBox is one of the many milestones toward full communication. It can play an important role in the language acquisition process for those who are cognitively challenged. Yet it is not confining. When the time comes to transition to a larger, more advanced tool, the individual can be assured of an easy transition through continued use of the skills accrued while conversing with the ChatBox.

ChatBox: Practical Technology

The engineers and clinicians who designed ChatBox kept the special needs nonspeaking people in mind throughout its development. Years of experience have helped the designers turn this modern technology into a simple, easy and enjoyable communication experience.

ChatBox is the only low-cost communication aid which uses Minspeak, a highly successful technique that combines multi-meaning icons to represent words, phrases or sentences. Although Minspeak has long been available on more sophisticated communication devices, it is now available with ChatBox in order to support individuals at the earliest stages of communication.

The optional UniChat:16 vocabulary program uses a unique combination of core and activity-specific vocabulary. The core vocabulary gives the individual access to words that are used in a variety of settings. The activity-specific vocabulary is used to add words that are unique to an activity such as work, shopping or playing. The combination of the two results in a system which can be fine-tuned for specific situations and multiple settings alike. When the individual is ready to move on to a more powerful device, the vocabulary and symbols learned on ChatBox can be transferred to Prentke Romich Company's Unity Program.

Whether used as a primary device or as a supplement or backup to a more powerful communication system, everyone will enjoy the simplicity and quality of ChatBox.

Special Features of ChatBox

ChatBox boasts many of the technological and language features that have previously been exclusive to more expensive communication systems. Features of the new ChatBox include:

Minspeak
By far the most successful technique for communicating with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, Minspeak is now available in this low-cost communication system.

Icon Prediction
A small light appears in the upper left-hand corner of each key if it has a stored message. This makes it easy to locate messages and to use the correct icon sequence

Predictive Selection
If the key isn't illuminated by the icon prediction light, it can't be activated. This makes it easier for people with poor motor skills and limited cognitive or language skills to relay the correct message without accidentally hitting the wrong key.

Single-Switch Scanning
Individuals who cannot press the keys on ChatBox can use a variety of switches to activate messages. It even enables the individual to easily scan to only scan to those messages that have already been programmed.

Four Overlay Areas
ChatBox holds up to four overlays at any given time.

High Quality Speech
ChatBox can be programmed with up to three minutes of high-quality speech. Unlike many other communications systems, no restrictions are placed upon the length of the messages or where they can be stored.

Light and Portable
New technology allows ChatBox to be lightweight and portable for the ambulatory individual. It weighs only 750 grammes with carrying case and measures 195 x 150 x 25/48 mm.

Specifications Digitized Speech Memory • 3 minutes Standard Components • Carrying Case • Battery Charger • Overlays • Symbol Sheets • Operator's Manual Access • Keyboard • Switch-Activated Scanning

Options Languages • English Application Packages • UniChat: 16