Life with autonoMe

Software Update: Control Your Environment Without Interrupting Your Entertainment

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Latest Software Updates

Control Your Environment Without Interrupting Your Entertainment

A new update to the autonoME Hospital software now allows users to control their environment without interrupting their favorite movies and television shows.

Previously, when a user needed to adjust the position of their bed or turn on/off their lights, they would have to exit the television portion of the autonoME device and access the proper ECU screen. Now, a new control menu gives users the opportunity to easily control their bed and turn lights on and off, all while continuing to enjoy the entertainment portion of the autonoME.

Living Life and Inspiring Others

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Jeremy Van Tress

The technicians and staff at Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) do what we do because we are all personally committed to helping people achieve independence despite unfortunate circumstances.  One client we have worked with is Jeremy Van Tress, a U.S. Army veteran who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2017.  He received his diagnosis four days prior to the birth of his sixth child. Despite his diagnosis, Van Tress – who was medically discharged from the U.S. Army – decided to pursue his doctor of philosophy degree from Walden University.  Inspired by his work as a social worker, he also founded a non-profit organization called, Smile Inside, which provides online counseling services to individuals with ALS and promotes ALS advocacy and research.

Despite his diagnosis, Van Tress continues to live life and impact others facing the same disease.  We are so proud to be part of Jeremy’s inspiring journey!

Read Jeremy’s Story

If you have been diagnosed with ALS or another debilitating disease, we can help you maintain your independence.  Our proprietary autonoME is an effective ALS communication device/custom environmental control unit with a user-friendly interface.  The autonoME also has different types of input methods to accommodate various disease stages.  A popular voice assistive technology feature is the voice banking option, which allows you to essentially “bank” your voice and unique expressions so it can be re-created as your ability to speak begins to decline.  Are you interested in learning more about how the autonoME can help you maintain independence and make a tremendous difference in your independence?  If so, give us a call today!

Jeremy Van Tress

“Live Life” Says Veteran with ALS

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Brian Newton

The mission of Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) extends far beyond developing technology.  The motto our founder Fred Thompson established more than three decades ago still holds true today: “Start with the customer and work backwards.”

No disease or injury is exactly the same.  We work with therapists, caregivers and other healthcare providers to provide user-friendly solutions that are customized to accommodate the needs of the individuals we serve.

Meet Mr. Brian Newton.  Brian is 54 years of age and a veteran of the United States Air Force.  After serving his country, he found a lucrative career in hardware and software sales for the oncology industry.  However, nine years ago, his life suddenly changed forever.  At only 45 years old, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

In August 2014, Brian received his first autonoME. It has afforded him the independence of being able to send e-mails, interact on social media, stream live television and videos, conduct banking and more. Brian’s disease has progressed to where he is in a wheelchair and has difficulty moving and using his hands.  He now operates the autonoME using the Eye Gaze input method.

“I would be dependent upon someone else to do the things I’m able to do with the autonoME,” explains Brian. “It keeps me independent.”

According to John Sanders, Service Manager for Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI), Brian is one of the best Eye Gaze users he has ever seen.

“He is very proficient at it, better than anyone on our staff,” says Sanders. “Eye Gaze gives Brian a significantly improved independence and the independence to communicate and perform so many tasks that otherwise would require the assistance of a caregiver.”

The autonoME is designed specifically for individuals with severe spinal cord injuries or progressive diseases such as ALS.

“Providing people like Brian with freedom, independence and independence is the sole reason we do what we do,” explains Brice Green, VP of Business Development for ASI. “The individuals we serve are much more than just customers.  They become part of our family.”

Brian says he appreciates the ASI support staff who are “always there when I need help.”  He recommends the autonoME to others who would like to improve their independence.

“You will be free,” says Newton.  “It’s a game changer.  I wouldn’t be here if I did not have this!”

Despite his disease, Brian serves as a shining example of someone who has made the absolute best out of the curveballs life has thrown his way.  His advice to those reading this story is simple:

“Live life.”

 

The autonoME ECU in Hospital Features

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ECU in Hospital

Part Three

We are continuing our series on the distinct features that make the autonoME commercial/hospital ECU such an impressive and welcomed addition to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities.  Our previous article discussed how the autonoME’s integrated environmental control, voice assistive technology and live television features have revolutionized the custom environmental control unit industry.  We also covered key features including different input methods, web browser, user-friendly inputs and commands, bed controls and nurse call capabilities.  Today, we will look at three more reasons to consider the autonoME commercial/hospital ECU for your facility.

Bed Controls

These commands provide the user access to bed control. This is an especially popular feature of our autonoME commercial/hospital ECU because it alleviates the need for a staff member to perform this function.

Telephone

The autonoME’s Telephone application gives users the ability to answer the telephone when there is an incoming phone call.  Users can also create contacts and make calls.

Games

The autonoME’s Games portal is one of the most popular features of our hospital ECU. Games include: Hearts, Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, Chess, and Free Cell. Each can be played via touch, voice, switch, eye gaze, and other associated methods.

If you are seeking to improve the overall patient experience while also freeing staff to address the most critical patient needs, then the autonoME may be just the solution you have been looking for.  Accessibility Services, Inc. has spent more than three decades improving the independence for individuals with the most severe disabilities by developing innovative solutions and assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases including ALS and MS. Our autonoME commercial/hospital ECU devices will take your facility to the next level.  Give us a call to schedule a virtual or in-person demonstration today!

A Closer Look at the autonoME ECU in Hospital Features

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ECU in Hospital

Part Two

We are continuing our series on the autonoME’s ECU in hospital features.  The autonoME commercial/hospital ECU is the world’s first custom environmental control unit offering integrated voice assistive technology and a full television experience in one single package. Our previous article outlined the autonoME’s different input methods, discussed the integrated television experience, and highlighted how users can easily surf the Internet.  Today, we will look at three more distinct features of this revolutionary custom environmental control unit/speech generating device.

User-Friendly Menus and Commands

The autonoME commercial/hospital ECU features large, user-friendly menus and commands. The main menu page is comprised of two sections: a side panel and the application area.  The side panel contains commands and functions that will always be visible.  The right larger application area contains apps designed for specific features and controls.

Stop Inputs

The Stop Inputs command is located in the side panel menu.  This is used for inhibiting the voice, head tracking and eye tracking input methods.  A user can stop the dwell clicking associated with the head and eye tracking when reading what is on the screen.  The Stop Inputs button will allow them time to find what they are looking for without the cursor moving around and inadvertently clicking commands.

Nurse Call

The popular Nurse Call command activates the nurse call light and alerts the nurse call station.  This is always available even when a patient is using an app or when Stop Inputs is activated.

Our next article will cover more features of the autonoME commercial/Hospital ECU.

Accessibility Services, Inc. is a leader in the development of assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases such as ALS and MS. We customize our autonoME commercial ECU devices to meet the needs of each facility. Not all environmental control units are equal.  We invite you to experience the autonoME difference.  Give us a call to schedule a virtual or in-person demonstration today!

The autonoME Making a Difference at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital

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the children's center

Special thank you to The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, Oklahoma for this wonderful article and update on how the autonoME is making a difference in the lives of the children they serve!

Accessibility Services (ASI) worked with The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital to develop and install a customized autonoME hospital system for inpatients and an autonoME system in an AT lab for outpatient demonstrations.

ASI’s Vice President, Brice Green, consulted with the facilities manager at The Children’s Center and customized the autonoME to meet the hospital’s specifications. Heather Giordano M.S., CCC-SLP, Product Rep. and ASI’s in-house national certified speech and language pathologist provided on-site consultation on customizing the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specifically for their patients.

“Knowing that a child who is unable to communicate can now express their thoughts and feelings makes what we do so worthwhile,” explains Green, “And, giving children with disabilities the ability to perform tasks that most people take for granted – such as changing channels on the television or turning on the lights – makes a tremendous difference in the lives of these children and their families. We are honored to be part of the ‘miracles’ that The Children’s Center make happen every day.”

Read what the Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital had to say about the autonoME Hospital Solution.

The autonoME Commercial / Hospital ECU: A Closer Look

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The autonoME Commercial / Hospital ECU: A Closer Look

In early 2020, Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) introduced the world’s first device offering augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and environmental control unit (ECU) tools while seamlessly incorporating all available adaptive access methods and providing a fully integrated television experience. In otherwards, the autonoME Hospital ECU can do it all!

The engineers at ASI developed the autonoME ECU in hospital solution to address the demand for an all-in-one system to serve the unique needs of individuals with severe spinal cord and brain injuries as well as those with progressive diseases such as ALS.  Most environmental control units only control a user’s surroundings.  The autonoME, however, is a combined custom environmental control unit / speech generating device with voice assistive technology.  Our next series of articles will highlight some of the features that make the autonoME such an attractive commercial / hospital ECU.

Input Methods

As we mentioned earlier, the autonoME Hospital ECU has several input methods to accommodate different levels of injury and disease progression, including voice, touch, sip and puff, eye gaze, head tracking, switch scanning and more.

Integrated Television

The autonoME Hospital ECU features a fully integrated television experience.  The autonoME’s Television app allows the user to turn the television on and off, view a channel list and select channels.

Web Browser

The autonoME Hospital ECU is equipped with a browser so users can easily surf the Internet.

Our next article will discuss more reasons why the autonoME is the “go to” ECU in hospital, rehabilitation and long term care settings.  Want to learn more about how the autonoME can seamlessly integrate into your facility?  If so, give us a call to talk with one of our Commercial Product Specialists today!

Giving Patients with ALS and Their Loved Ones Improved Independence

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assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) has been providing and developing assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with severe spinal cord injuries for more than 30 years.  We have found that the same custom environmental control unit/ communication devices for individual with quadriplegias are also ideal for individuals with progressive diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Our signature autonoME is an integrated environmental control unit (ECU) /speech generating device with full computing capabilities.  Our newly re-designed autonoME Hospital is the world’s first hospital ECU / speech generating device with a fully integrated television experience.  Best of all, the autonoME is equipped with different input methods to accommodate varying levels and progression of disease.

Let’s take a closer look at how the autonoME custom environmental control unit/speech generating device offers patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis improved independence.

Environmental Control

Early assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias focused on environmental control. Technology in ECU devices such as the autonoME has advanced to allow an individual who is immobile due to ALS the ability to turn on lights, control the television, adjust the bed, turn on a fan, call a caregiver and/or nurse, make a phone call, send a text, use a computer, interact on Social Media and more.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Communication devices for individual with quadriplegias have come a long way over the years.  The augmentative and alternative communication features of the autonoME allow individuals with ALS to communicate with loved ones, caregivers, therapists and medical staff. Voice banking can be initiated early in the diagnosis while the person is able to speak.  This enables them to communicate using their own voice and unique expressions even after they lose their ability to speak.  Being able to say, “I love you” in their own voice and communicate using their own expressions becomes especially important as ALS progresses.

Would you like to learn more about the all new and improved autonoME Hospital, autonoME Residential and portable autonoMEGo? Your friends at ASI are ready to answer your questions. Give us a call today!

Can a Smart Home Device Replace a Custom Environmental Control Unit?

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Can a Smart Home Device Replace a Custom Environmental Control Unit?

Assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases have come a long way and can help people communicate and perform tasks that were once impossible years ago.  Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) has been developing environmental control units/ECU devices and communication devices for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases for nearly three decades.  A lot has changed over the years, including the emergence of smart home devices that allow most people the ability to control certain aspects of their home via voice prompts or a smartphone app.  While these devices are fun to use and have transformed the way we perform many tasks, they have significant limitations for individuals with disabilities.

Assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with progressive diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is much different and more advanced than simple smart home devices. Let’s take a look at some advantages a custom environmental control unit/speech generating device such as the autonoME has over smart home devices:

Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)

The autonoME, for instance, is a custom environmental control unit with integrated alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) features.  Smart home devices are not equipped with full AAC features.

Input Methods

The autonoME is considered one of the premier ECU devices / communication devices for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with progressive diseases because of its ability to accommodate different input methods including voice, touch, sip and puff, eye gaze and head tracking. Smart home devices operate using either voice or touch.

Voice Assistive Technology

Communication devices for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases often incorporate voice assistive technology for communication.  The autonoME, for example, even allows individuals with progressive diseases to bank their own voices and expressions for use after they lose the ability to speak.

Computer Access

The autonoME – equipped with Windows 10 – is an example of assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with progressive diseases that allows for full computer access. Smart home devices are not full computing systems.

While smart home devices have their advantages and are fun to use, they are not a sufficient substitute for a custom environmental control unit or speech generating device.  If you would like to learn more about how the autonoME can transform your life, give us a call today.

The Anatomy of the autonoME (Part 3)

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The Anatomy of the autonoME (Part 3)

When it comes to assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias, the autonoME is the industry gold standard. Not only is the autonoME an environmental control unit, but it is also a speech generating device and computer with Windows 10 and internet access. These capabilities are combined in one single package, making the autonoME one of the industry’s most powerful tools for individual with quadriplegias. The autonoME also features various input devices and methods, so it has become one of most sought after environmental control and communication devices for individual with quadriplegias on the market today.

Touch

The autonoME is equipped with a capacitive touch screen that works with a finger touch or, if the user prefers, a stylus.

Voice

A directional microphone can be used to control the autonoME with voice commands.

Switch Scanning/Sip and Puff

This is a very popular feature, especially for a individual with quadriplegia. Supplies and accessories like a sip and puff (dual switch) can be added and used to activate the switch and operate the unit.

Eye Tracking

An integrated or mounted camera tracks the user’s pupil and eye movements to control the mouse.

Head Tracking

This is popular for someone who has a debilitating disease or is a individual with quadriplegia. Supplies and accessories like a head tracking camera can be mounted to the top of the monitor. A special metallic sticker is then placed on the user’s head, hat or eyeglasses, allowing them to control the mouse curser.

Want to learn more about why the autonoME is a preferred assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias in both hospital and residential settings? If so, give us a call!

“Start with the customer and work backwards.”

Fred Thompson

See why clients, therapists, and caregivers choose Accessibility Services for their Environmental Control and Communication needs.

Accessibility Services

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