Date: Thu, 3 Nov 94 08:11:07 EST From: Bob Broedel To: Stuart.Neilson@brunel.ac.uk Subject: Re: ALS Interest Group List =============================================================== == == == ----------- ALS Interest Group ----------- == == ALS Digest (#125, 18 September 1994) == == == == ------ Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) == == ------ Motor Neurone Disease (MND) == == ------ Lou Gehrig's disease == == ----- == == This e-mail list has been set up to serve the world-wide == == ALS community. That is, ALS patients, ALS researchers, == == ALS support/discussion groups, ALS clinics, etc. Others == == are welcome (and invited) to join. Currently there are == == 330+ subscribers. The ALS Digest is published weekly, == == or sometimes more often, but at least weekly. == == == == To subscribe, to unsubscribe, to contribute notes, == == etc. to ALS Digest, please send e-mail to: == == bro@huey.met.fsu.edu (Bob Broedel) == == Sorry, but this is *not* a LISTSERV setup. == == == == Bob Broedel; P.O. Box 20049; Tallahassee, FL 32316 USA == =============================================================== CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE: 1 .. Editorial -- Thanks 2 .. Voice Synthesizers (1) ===== Editorial -- Thanks ========== A big thanks to Grant Nicholas (gnicholas@pcgate.lanl.gov) for compiling this important note. For the moment back issues of the ALS Digest are available only from him because the FTP/LISTSERV site for the back issues was (by mistake) destroyed. Hopefully back issues will again be available via e-mail, FTP, WWW, etc. but for now Grant is the only source. What he is doing will be especially useful to the many new people who are signing up each day. Grant ... we all love you. Please keep up the good work. rgds,bro (2) ===== Voice Synthesizers ========== CompuServe Mail Date : 17-Sep-94 14:11 EDT >From: Grant L. Nicholas [74000,1616], (74000.1616@compuserve.com) Subj : Voice Synthesizer Russell, I read your request for assistance in locating voice synthesizers in a recent ALS Digest (#124) published by Bob Broedel. Your request came via the L-HCAP service run by Bill McGarry. I have an complete file of all ALS Digests and have run a search for you. The following is probably an incomplete listing of the data contained in the disgest, but should serve as a point of departure for your search. I will include the entire digest submission, so that you may profit from some of the evaluations put forth by the submitters: ====================================================================== ALS DIGEST #40 ====================================================================== (2)=====For the speech impaired========== (a)----- Date: 02 May 93 21:43:47 EDT From: Jaime Oliva/Kathy Miller <70272.1034@CompuServe.COM> Our company manufactures hardware/software products for the speech impaired. Please call or send me your address and I will send you our literature. Kathllen H. Miller, Ph.D. Communication Consultants for Technology 508 Bellevue Terrace Pittsburgh, Pa. 15202 TEL 412-761-6062 FAX 412-7617336 E-M 70272.1034@compuserve.com (b)----- Date : 03 May 93 15:13:45 EDT >From : Charles M Ward <72567.400@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Speech and computer access I see a number of questions on speech and computer access with ALS. I have had ALS for 7 years and my voice was the first thing to go. I am still able to work because I have good tools to solve these problems. I have used scanning WSKE, and a Multivoice speech synthesizer on my wheelchair and my desk computer for five years. These have proved very successful. Steven Hawking uses a program called equilizer and a different speech synthesizer but he obviously has great success also. When we met and had a discussion it became obvious that our synthesizer voices were us. I have found that everyone forgets your original voice and only remembers your current voice. I believe it is very important to get a good clear speech system. Now that I have little movement left I have started using an Eyegaze system. This has been a godsend. With WSKE and a single switch I was typing 2 words per minute. Now I am back to 6-10 words! This system uses an infrared beam to sense the eye position while I look at a keyboard on a monitor. I then control a second computer through a t-tam interface. All this is complicated to explain and I would be happy to give a more thorough explanation to anyone who asks me. Suffice it to say that there are excellent tools being developed so no one should be a prisoner in their body. It takes some digging to find these but it is worth the effort. Start with Words plus in Lancaster CA, PO box 1229, 93584, 800-869 8521 The Eyegaze is from LC Technology, Fairfax Virginia, 703 425 7509 Thanks, Mike Ward ====================================================================== ALS DIGEST #77 ====================================================================== (2)=====re: amino acids, speech, etc.========== Date : Thu, 30 Dec 93 08:36:24 EST >From : Michelle Jensen Subject: Re: ALSD#75 ALS-ON-LINE I wish to share responses to three inquiries. My responses come both as a care giver who husband Paul, has had ALS for 2+ years, and as a speech pathologist who works with swallowing and communication problems. 1. Amino Acid studies. The question was raised regarding BCAA (chained branch amino acids). We were adivsed in Digest #75 by Dr. Rosen that studies were stopped because of increased morbidity. Paul was on BCAA for 3 to 4 months. We followed the recommended schedule: 45 min. before eating. It was a gruelling schedule to follow; Paul lost weight and we found no benefirt. We quit and would not recommend it. 2. Synthesized speech. Be sure to consider the DynaVox. It's a light weight, self contained unit with 256K, that is easily wheelchair mounted. It can be accessed with a variety of switches including eye-blinks. 1-800-344-1778. Ask for a home demonstration. 4500. 3. Swallowing problems. There are a variety of texture, taste, temperature and posture adjustments that on should follow first. Difficulty with thin liquids may be masked by avoiding them which will lead to chronic dehydration. The literature says that it's time for a G-tube when aspiration events, food spillage, prolonged meal times and respiratory fatigue lead to an aversion of eating. G tube placement (which is a simple procedure with local anesthetic) relieves those burdens. Malnutrition and dehydration are definitely to be avoided by ALS patients. Thanks for the developing this avenue of communication. Give our Best to Carmen. Paul and Michelle Jensen ====================================================================== ALS DIGEST #81 ====================================================================== (4)=====HandiMail information========== Date : Wed, 2 Feb 94 06:15 EST >From : "Sigea Systems, Inc." <0002726865@mcimail.com> Subject: HandiMail information... Bob... Thanks very much for sending me your newsletters. I will pass those files on to the HandiMailers who are involved with ALS patients to show them what you are doing... Here's some information on HandiMail. I hope you find it useful... HANDIMAIL PROJECT HandiMail(tm) provides communications between physically challenged people and the world around them using inexpensive computers, Courier electronic mail and easy to use software -- Telecommuter(R) One Button Mail(tm). Suddenly, a person who can't talk can communicate with family, friends, and peers via HandiMail! Since One Button Mail does not require a pointing device, even people using headpointers or single switch setups can use HandiMail. Challenged people are no longer restricted to their immediate surroundings -- they can communicate with each other and the world through HandiMail! The HandiMail system is comprised of three parts: 1. A host computer running electronic mail. For this project, we are using our own Courier electronic mail software running on a personal computer located in New Jersey, at the home of one of the HandiMailers. 2. A remote IBM PC compatible computer running Telecommuter One Button Mail. The computer doesn't have to be anything fancy, even an original IBM PC with two 360K floppy drives. (We strongly recommend using a hard disk because it's faster than floppies and it holds much more information.) With One Button Mail, the user never interacts directly with the host computer. As a result, the remote user can work at his or her own pace, completely independent of the demands of the host electronic mail system. What the user sees and touches remains the same, regardless of which electronic mail system serves as the host. One Button Mail also supports popular electronic mail services such as MCI Mail and CompuServe. See the One Button Mail brochure for more information. 3. Adaptive software and hardware to accommodate individual needs. For example, a person with a headpointer would use our Prefix software to create Shift/Ctrl/Alt characters one keystroke at a time. We also have keyboard scanners and emulators for people who require this kind of assistance. The HandiMail System has been in operation for more than five years. We started with a group of challenged students at a county college in New Jersey, adding "friends of friends" over the years. Nearly fifty people are currently active on the system, including several families who keep in touch regularly with HandiMail. Telecommuter is a registered trademark of Sigea Systems, Inc. For more information on HandiMail, please contact: Harry Brawley Sigea Systems, Inc. 19 Pelham Road Weston MA 02193 TEL 617-647-1098 FAX 617-899-8025 (call first) E-M 0002726865@mcimail.com or 70310.171@compuserve.com (7)=====adaptive technology book========== Date : Wed, 26 Jan 1994 00:14:17 GMT Sender : Multiple Sclerosis Discussion/Support : >From : joe j lazzaro Subject: Adaptive Technology Book NEW GUIDE DESCRIBES HOW TO ADAPT PC'S FOR THE DISABLED "Adaptive Technologies for Learning and Work Environments" by Joseph J. Lazzaro is a 250 page illustrated guide on how to adapt personal computers for individuals with disabilities. The book concentrates on using computers to access information, which is critical to job and scholastic performance. The book is intended for individuals with visual, hearing, motor, and speech impairments. The text is aimed at end users, office administrators, rehabilitation professionals, librarians, managers, teachers, human resource specialists, computer consultants, network administrators, anyone who must provide reasonable accommodation or adaptive equipment to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The book discusses speech synthesizers and screen readers, magnification systems, braille displays and printers, braille translation software, optical character recognition systems, text telephones, baudot/ascii modems, assistive listening devices, signaling systems, alternative keyboards and input devices, voice recognition systems, keyboard enhancement software, alternative communications systems, environmental controls, and much more. The text also discusses how to convert an adapted personal computer into a library of information by linking with local area networks, accessing online databanks, or using compact disk reference systems. Included are lists of bulletin boards, online services, CDROM providers, as well as public access Internet sites. The book also describes how to select appropriate adaptive hardware and software for any situation, as well as how to furnish training and technical support. Sources of financial aid are also presented. Throughout the book, more than 120 specific adaptive products are described as examples of the innumerable devices available. Practical, how -to-do-it sections explain installation procedures and provide examples of how to interface mainstream and adaptive systems. Extensive appendixes provide names and addresses of useful resources. These include equipment manufacturers, conferences, journals and newsletters. A subject and product index is also included. The book is currently being produced on computer disk for print impaired users by Recording For The Blind. ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS "ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS" JOSEPH J. LAZZARO THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 50 EAST HURON STREET CHICAGO, IL 60611 PHONE: 312-280-5108 ISBN: 0-8389-0615-X PAGES: 251 PRICE: $35.00 US TOLL FREE ORDER LINE: 800-545-2433 PRESS #7 FROM THE VOICE MENU FOR THE ORDERING DEPT. INTERNATIONAL ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS Eurospan 3 Henrietta Street Covent Garden London England WC2E8LU Phone: 011-44-71-240-0856 ====================================================================== NOTE TO BOB BROEDEL Fm Mike Doliton ====================================================================== Date : Wed, 29 Dec 93 15:41:03 EST >From : "Mike Doliton" Subject: Inexpensive speech synthesizer with ms-dos notebook computer To all of you who need help with speech I have some helpful information on an expensive $1800 solution. This is not a substitute for Words + which can use a simple 5 button switch for those who can't use all your fingers to type. But for those who can type on a keyboard this is a good alternative. I came across a sound device which also can produce music in addition to speech and can also record clips of speech and later reproduce it. It's called the Port.Able Sound machine. A notebook computer can be used with this Sound machine to become a battery operated device to produce sound and speech. I recommend the Toshiba 1850C because for the money it is more than adequate. For those who are technical it runs an Intel 80386 SX at 25 megahertz and has a 120 meg. hard disk drive and 4 megs of memory. Also it has a color LCD screen built into its cover. The Toshiba costs $1600 and the Port.Able sound machine costs $150. Remember the user must be able to type with at least 2 fingers or a stick. The speech quality is quite good. I've heard several products on the market which sound robot like but this one sounds as good as they come with the present technology. I found these at CompUSA a chain store called a super computer store. Incidentally this notebook computer comes with entertainment programs such as Solitare and one can install more programs. I installed Karioke program which plays songs and displays the words so you can sing along with it. This is great for Bulbar onset people like myself to exercise the vocal chords and have fun at the same time. My speech therapist liked the whole afare. Thought the clips of speech were great for later on when I am more hampered by the ALS and can play my own speech back when appropriate. I am looking for phrases to use to record my own speech while I still have a voice. As some of you know I asked last week for some input on how people are getting along on CNTF. I don't seem to be getting any better only a slow progression of loosing my speech. Is anyone enrolled in the Riluzole trial? I would like to hear if it is helping anyone. Regards, Michael R. Doliton Sony Medical System Division ====================================================================== ALS DIGEST #90 ====================================================================== (4)=====female voice synthesizer========== >From : vitale@speech.enet.dec.com Date : Fri, 25 Mar 94 10:19:19 EST Subject: RE: Female voice synthesizer I recently saw Michael's notes re a voice synthesizer. I work in the field of speech synthesis. Digital Equipment Corp. has what is considered by many to be the best speech synthesis technology out there today. It's called DECtalk. It has a choice of nine voices including both male and female voices. Also, rumor is that there may be one coming out in a couple of months which is a serial line version which can attach to any laptop or notebook and which weights only 15 oz. and which is slightly less expensive than the PC card. In addition, many companies offer Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs). These include Prentke-Romich Co. out of Wooster, Ohio, Sentient Systems, Inc. out of Pittsburg, Phonic Ear from the West Coast, and a number of others. MultiVoice from the Communication Enhancement Clinic at Children's Hospital-Boston is another good one. Many of these license high quality synthesis. The TRACE Catalog from the TRACE Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison has a list of all of such devices. If anyone has specific questions about speech synthesizers, I'll be more than happy to answer them. I've been working in the fields of speech science and linguistics since 1971 and am currently President of the American Voice Inpput/Output Society, a large international organization based in San Jose. I just returned from Los Angeles where I gave a 3-hour seminar on Speech Synthesis Technology for Persons with Disabilities. I work in the Assistive Technology Group at Digital where we develop devices for individuals with vocal and visual impairments as well as license speech synthesis technology to other companies who make VOCAs. I'd be more than happy to serve as a resource for anyone who has questions about speech synthesizers. Hope this is helpful. \tony ====================================================================== ALS DIGEST #115 ====================================================================== Take a voice synthesizer with you like the Radio Shack Talking Organizer EC-337. ====================================================================== ALS DIGEST #123 ====================================================================== (8)=====Technology========== Date : Thu, 1 Sep 94 13:02 EST >From : Mark Reeverts <0006890746@mcimail.com> Subject: Technology Another round on the tech question. Anyone with info. on communication technology (voice synthesis), please provide. Also, D.S. is experiencing a lot of pain in his collarbone and neck area, from the lack of muscle control?. Any info. or thoughts to relieve the pain are helpful. Thank you for the info I've recieved on my friends' behalf. They will be online in the next week or two. Mark ==== = A very good source for this type of information is the Trace = Research and Development Center. The book I have from them is called = the TRACE RESOURCE BOOK: Assistive Technologies for Communication, = Control, and Computer Access (1993-94, $40.00). It is a very = complete source, that lists vendors, gives their addresses & phone = numbers, etc. = Also, the Trace Center's free-of-charge general catalog of offerings = should be considered "required reading" for all who are interested = in this topic. They offer software, conference reports, design = guidelines, project reports, etc. = = Trace Research and Development Center = University of Wisconsin-Madison = S-151 Waisman Center = 1500 Highland Avenue = Madison WI 53705-2280 = TEL 608-263-2309 = E-mail: info@trace.waisman.wisc.edu = rgds,bro ==== ====================================================================== Those are all the references I could find on the spur of the moment. I hope that these may be of some help to you. God Bless. Regards, Grant Distribution: CompuServe Mail To: Russell Lambert > INTERNET:rlambert@sipi.usc.edu cc: Bob Broedel > [71107,1710] , Bill McGarry > [73170,1064] == end of als 125 ==