Technology, Access and Communication

Speech Generating Devices

1. Single message device/ Sequenced message device (with or without levels) - includes items with only one switch or access site. May includes systems that store one message, multiple sequenced message and/or up to four levels of messages. May be able to plug in an alternative switch.
2. Static display device with ≤ six levels AND ≤ 15 mins recording time – includes a range of devices with more than one cell or message ‘site’ and from one to six levels of message storage or less than 15 minutes recording time, but the display is static i.e. the display overlay has to be changed each time that the client moves to a different level.
3. Static display device with ≥ seven levels OR > 15 mins recording time - includes a range of devices with more than one cell or message ‘site’ and more than seven levels of message storage or more than 15 minutes recording time, but the display is static i.e. the display overlay has to be manually changed each time that the client moves to a different level.
4. Dynamic display device – includes dedicated devices that provide a changing display or the potential to access multiple pages or levels of vocabulary using a navigational strategy such as menus/levels or encoding or a laptop or other computer and software that functions similarly. Devices that offer more complex vocabulary access and navigational tools (eg pop ups, return to menus page etc) and/or more complex accessing options (e.g. averaging, block-row-column access etc) for use with message development/access should be considered as fitting within this grouping.
5. Spelling based device – includes dedicated devices a laptop or other computer and software that provide text to speech communication using spelling as the primary means of creating messages. May also have some messages stored as phrases or sentences.
6. Voice alternative or amplifier – includes systems to provide an alternative voice such as Servox, and voice amplification systems to increase volume.

Technology

Technology: Computer Access Technology (CAT) – Access Hardware

1. Basic Assistive Hardware - Basic alternative keyboards, basic key guards (non-customised), basic alternative mouse options (single click, switch adapted standard mouse, mini), switches (mechanical, membrane).
2. Complex Assistive Hardware - Specialised alternative keyboard options (membrane, customisable), Key guards (custom made), Specialised alternative mouse options (customised trackballs/joysticks, infra-red), specialised switches (sip and puff/air, sensor), wireless switches, associated essential interfaces, associated mounting.
3. Eye Gaze Technology - stand-alone Eye Gaze system hardware or Eye Gaze interface hardware for attachment to standard laptop/computer and associated mounting system.

Technology: Computer Access Technology (CAT) – Assistive Software

1. Basic Assistive Software - Basic emulation software (mouse/onscreen keyboard), basic word prediction (non-phonetic), basic screen reading software.
2. Complex Assistive Software - Specialised access software packages with mouse/keyboard emulation, system navigational control, word prediction, screen reading,  voice recognition, text production support software packages including word prediction, screen reading, spelling support features, optical character recognition features.

Technology: Environmental Control Systems (ECS) – User Control Devices

1. Basic User Control Devices - Power Interruption - basic on off control of electrical appliances (e.g. lamps, radio), static display devices - direct access large button remotes (non- learning), static display devices - direct switch control, multiple switches - 1 per function.
2. Static Display Alternative Access Devices - Static display device, switch scanning access, trainable, associated control modules and home infrastructure hardware; includes multilevel devices.
3. Complex User Control Devices - Dynamic display, multiple access (direct/switch/alternative mouse), associated control modules and home infrastructure hardware.  Includes iOs, Android and computer based devices as ECS control modules. Also SGD software and associated interfaces.
4. Eye Gaze and Integrated Control Systems - ECS via Eye Gaze hardware and associated interfaces,  control modules and home infrastructure hardware; ECS via Powered Wheelchair Integrated Control systems and associated control modules and home infrastructure hardware.

Technology: Environmental Control Systems (ECS) – Infrastructure Hardware

1. Plug-in Appliance Modules – Plug-in appliance modules (for power points for on/off control of lamps, fans, radios) and associated infrastructure hardware and programming units.
2. Light-Socket Modules - Light socket modules for hardwired lighting and associated infrastructure hardware and programming units.
3. Complex Control Module Hardware - Control module hardware - enabling interfacing with multiple home appliances in multiple rooms and associated infrastructure hardware and programming units.

Technology: Technology, Access and Communication Accessories

Mounting - Mounting components to enable access to devices / controls (for computer access, communication or environmental control) where positioning is critical to enable the device to be used.  Items to be mounted onto equipment program funded items such as MWC, PWC, Bed or over way table, can also be  “stand alone” floor mount for eye gaze technology.