Environment Control System

Most people take for granted that they can turn the lights on or off, close and open doors and use the remote control to their television. What if you can't do that, because of a physical handicap? If you want to live as independently as possible, the Personal Communicator is the solution. This computerprogram can be connected to an environment control system. With one interface (e.g. a computerscreen that is attached to a wheelchair), you can control a night-light, alarm button, television, the door and even regular computerprograms by using the Personal Communicator as an alternative input system. On top of that, the Personal Communicator functions as a communication device. A speech synthesizer pronounces words and sentences. The speech function works directly from the same screen as the other controls, so no extra programs or special buttons and devices are needed.

Different levels

As the above shows, the Personal Communicator takes you a long way in many respects. The starting screen can be followed by many subscreens. The program can be extended as far as you like.

By using symbols and not too many subscreens, the program can be made very simple and intuïtive for users with a mental handicap, as well.

Controls

The Personal Communicator can be controlled in different ways: with mouse and keyboard, an alternative pointing device that works like a mouse, with switches that have to be activated by for example the feet or the head. It is even possible to use the eyes! To learn more, visit the page about alternative input types.

More possibilities

For people with a physical limitation, the following programs may be of interest:

• Learning symbols: symbol users can extend their knowledge of symbols by means of three Symbol for Windows games (Memory, Multiple Choice en Shuffle). These games work with alternative control, just like the Personal Communicator.
• Reading and writing, with symbols or with letters, with or without grammar support or word prediction, can be done with the Document Maker. In this program there is a button with which you can switch directly to the Personal Communicator. In the Personal Communicator there is a button to switch back to the Document Maker. The Document Maker can be used with alternative control.

Do you work with people with a physical or mental handicap or are you a family member? These programs make working with symbols easier for you:

• (Speech) therapists can make (communication)charts and other materials with the same symbols that are used at home or in school using the Paper Chart Maker.
• The vocabularies can be created and adjusted in the Personal Communicator itself. To make that task even easier, use the Vocabulary Maker. Read more about this program on the page for caregivers.
• Symboldatabases can be created and managed using the Image Manager. Read more about this program, too, on the page for caregivers.

These last three programs can only be controlled by mouse and keyboard.

For people who would like to browse the internet using alternative control, there is Hubble. Note that if you click on Hubble, you will be redirected to one of our other websites. Don't forget to bookmark Symbol for Windows to return later, if you haven't finished reading yet!