News

Software Update: Customized Speech Rates

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Software Update Customized Speech Rates

In our latest update of the autonoME software, our engineers have created an option for End Users to manage and customize the rate at which their automated speech plays back ranging from fast, medium, and slow, as well as a default setting.

The update was inspired by the real-life experience of an autonoME user who is currently using the platform as an alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) device, Ken Thompson. Mr. Thompson spoke with one of our team members, Delaney Shepherd, during an in-service visit. He expressed the importance of having his new voice, generated by the autonoME device, speak with a cadence that better resembles his own. Mr. Thompson’s insight into the importance of working with users to create a voice that feels more like their own served as an “Ah-Ha” moment for our team. He currently relies on the autonoME to communicate with his co-workers during meetings but there are numerous other ways this can be beneficial.

Effective communication is extremely important to our End Users. Now, autonoME users have more options and are able to mirror their natural speaking timbre by adjusting the speed at which the augmentative speech is played back.

Breakthrough in MS Research: The Epstein Barr Connection

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Breakthrough in MS Research: The Epstein Barr Connection

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a possible link between multiple sclerosis (MS) and the Epstein-Barr virus.  Epstein Barr is carried by approximately 95% of adults, and although it can be connected to mononucleosis and some rare cancers, most people are unaffected by the virus.

MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease. However, a new Harvard Medical School study points to evidence that MS may actually be a complication of the Epstein Barr virus. If this is the case, then antivirals that target Epstein Barr could be used to treat MS in the future. Even more promising is the fact that Moderna – the drug company that created the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 – has begun phase 1 trials of an Epstein Barr vaccine. While it’s still too early to tell, if MS is truly a complication of the Epstein Barr virus, then antivirals and vaccines may help put an end to MS and the devastating effects it often has on those with the disease.

Accessibility Services, Inc. is honored to work with individuals with MS, helping those with the most progressive forms of the disease reclaim their independence.  It is our sincerest hope that this promising new research will help make MS a disease of the past.

Read more about this breakthrough Epstein-Barr and MS research.

Shawn Bradley: Former NBA Player Brings Light to Gaps in Customized Care

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autonoME

Longtime basketball fans will remember the No. 2 pick in the 1993 NBA draft, Shawn Bradley, his 12 seasons as a dependable defender on the court, and his towering height. In January of 2021, Bradley’s life was changed by a cycling accident and suddenly the height that had played a major role in his life was becoming a hindrance in his treatment and recovery.

As Bradley and his family waited three weeks in the ICU for updates on his condition, it was already clear that his height (7 feet 6 inches) would add complications to his care. After inspecting his spinal cord, a surgeon diagnosed Bradley with C6 quadriplegia. An injury like his often results in a loss of sensation and function from the top of the rib cage down as well as a lack of strength and functionality in the triceps and muscles in a hands and forearms. Typically, people with this diagnosis will still maintain control of their shoulders and biceps.

Bradley was eventually moved to an inpatient neurological rehab wing where his care team worked to solve a unique challenge. Dr. Bryndon Hatch, the leader of Bradley’s recovery team, visited past cases, conducted some research, and consulted with peers. He discovered that finding an established plan for managing quadriplegia for a patient at this height was uncommon.

Dr. Hatch and the team of therapists working with Bradley had to completely redesign their approach, processes, and equipment to accommodate his unique circumstances:

  • Bradley was unable to fit in the hospital shower, so he had to be moved to a separate space for bathing.
  • Due to his size—now weighing 350 pounds—nursing staff and therapists had to learn a new way to transfer him from beds, chairs, and exam tables.
  • The utter depth of his torso required the team to reconfigure an ultrasound machine.
  • A padded table was placed at the end of his hospital bed so his feet would not hang off the end.
  • A custom power wheelchair had to be designed specifically for Bradley, and while he waited patiently for it, he was forced to use a makeshift headrest made of padding duct-taped to a board and fixed to the largest chair available.

As you can see, Bradley’s height shed a light on gaps in assistive technology and occupational therapy treatments and the importance of customizing patient care.

“Accessibility for all,” is the cornerstone of our research and development at Accessibility Services, Inc. as we continue to improve on the autonoME assistive technology platform. Customizing an individual’s transitional care ecosystem to cater specifically to their needs is exactly what we mean when we say, “…start with the customer and work backwards.”

Learn about the autonoME Residential System.

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Accessibility Services, Inc. Partners with World’s Largest Connected TV Influencer to Enhance Software for Individuals with Severe Disabilities

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ASI Partners

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) announced today their partnership with Play.Works and a subsequent roll-out of breakthrough software enhancements designed to help individuals with severe disabilities enjoy an accessible and therapeutic game experience. ASI, a respected assistive technology developer and industry leader for more than three decades, has taken its signature autonoME software to the next level by making popular app-based games accessible to all:

  • Games such as Bubble Match, Text Twist, Word Sensei, Letter Sensei and more are now integrated into ASI’s proprietary autonoME system
  • Game timers have been removed for a more inclusive experience
  • Control menus have been added to accommodate any input method (i.e., voice, touch, sip and puff, head tracking, eye gaze, etc.)

ASI primarily serves individuals with severe spinal cord injuries and progressive diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The autonoME is the first and only integrated environmental control unit (ECU) and speech generating device with full augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and computing capabilities. It allows users to have full control of their environment and gives them the ability to generate speech.

According to Brice Green, ASI’s Vice President of Business Development, autonoME games integration not only helps keep users engaged, but it also boosts morale as users are now able to participate in some of the activities they once enjoyed, but in a new, accessible way.

“Individuals with disabilities are too often overlooked by developers of software and technology,” says Green. “Our mission has been and always will be to serve the needs of the underserved community of those with the severest disabilities. Our developers are continually seeking new ways to improve the quality of software and assistive technology for each individual we touch on their journey to a more independent and accessible life.”

Green says he has spoken with occupational therapists and speech language pathologists who have provided some encouraging early feedback.

“Some therapists have expressed interest and are exploring the possibility of using these games for at-home therapies and cognitive practices,” explains Green. “Word games, for instance, could help individuals improve cognitive skills while match games can help strengthen their ability to use different input methods.”

Green says autonoME users who have been affected by a stroke or other brain trauma that affect cognitive processes may find the games to be an effective way to practice word association, spelling, and vocabulary.

“It’s a fun and engaging way to essentially retrain the brain,” says Green.

The autonoME is available in three models.  The autonoME Residential is a light-weight mobile device that incorporates Microsoft’sÒ trusted Surface Pro as the platform for environmental control, computer access and AAC using ASI’s proprietary software. The portable autonoMEgo features a 17” display, articulating arm and optional eye gaze control access method for healthcare facilities needing a more modern and modular approach to care. The autonoME Hospital incorporates a single 22” monitor that also allows patients to watch broadcast, streaming and cable television.

For more information please visit https://accessibilityservices.com/.

WPT Play
WPT Play
WPT Play 2
WPT Play 2
Text Twist Play
Text Twist Play
Text Twist Play 2
Text Twist Play 2
Play.Works Menu
Play.Works Menu
Bubble Jam Play
Bubble Jam Play

Proudly Serving Those Who Have Served and Sacrificed

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Accessibility Services, Inc.

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) is extremely excited to welcome the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation and their “Let Us Do Good Village” to the neighborhood.

The foundation was started in honor of fallen firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller and other first responders who gave their lives on September 11th, 2001. They have broken ground on a one-of-a-kind community of approximately 100 mortgage free homes exclusively for seriously injured veterans and families of fallen military members and first responders.

The community, aptly named “Let Us Do Good Village,” is being built in Land O’Lakes of Pasco County, Florida which is very close to one of ASI’s offices. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these amazing people to the area!

“ASI salutes the efforts of Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation and all of the exemplary work they do to support families of first responders and military who have given so much to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy,” says Lisa Swiger, President of Accessibility Services, Inc. “ASI was founded to serve disabled veterans. We have since expanded our mission to help all individuals with severe spinal cord injuries, progressive illnesses and other disabilities, but we are still passionate about the military and wholeheartedly support the mission of worthy organizations such as Tunnel 2 Towers.”

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pasco/land-olakes-to-become-home-to-one-of-a-kind-community

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.

Veterans with ALS and MS

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environmental control units

When we think of veterans with disabilities, spinal cord injuries are often top of mind.  However, there are several debilitating diseases that affect veterans as well. According the ALS Association, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as a service-connected disease.  Additionally, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) says that one in four of their members has multiple sclerosis (MS).

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) was founded more than 30 years ago to provide reliable custom environmental control unit/speech generating device solutions to members of the military and veterans with severe spinal cord injuries.  We have since expanded our focus, so, in addition to providing assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias, Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) also serves individuals with debilitating diseases such as ALS and MS.

Veterans with a qualifying disability or disease may be eligible to receive our autonoME Residential environmental control units through the Veterans Administration (VA). Our autonoME is a custom environmental control unit that includes integrated voice assistive technology.  In a nutshell, it is an ECU with MS/ALS communication capabilities that can be customized based on disease progression. If you are a veteran who has been diagnosed with MS, ALS or another debilitating disease or disability, then we encourage you to contact your VA representative to see if you qualify to receive one of our autonoME Residential ECU devices with integrated voice assistive technology features.

One of the most attractive and beneficial aspects of our autonoME is the initial setup and ongoing technical support.  We will send a technician out to your home to install and configure your autonoME. The autonoME features a user-friendly interface that both caregivers and users appreciate.  Should you have any additional questions, our technical support team is just a phone call away.  When you call for technical support, you actually talk with someone in our office – not a call center!

Would you like to learn more about how the autonoME can improve independence for you or a loved one?  If so, give us a call to learn more today!

Independence Grants Provide Financial Assistance to Organizations and Hospitals Serving Individuals with Severe Disabilities

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assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias

Did you know your facility or organization could qualify for a independence grant to help you purchase the autonoME Hospital ECU system and/or the autonoMEgo for the patients you serve?  In fact, Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) has worked with two facilities who have applied for independence grants to help fund their autonoME ECU in hospital devices.

If you represent and organization or facility that provides assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and wish to implement the autonoME Hospital ECU or portable autonoMEgo, then consider applying for a independence grant to help offset some of the cost. Examples of independence grants include those offered by the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation and Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.

The autonoME Hospital is the world’s first device offering both augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and environmental control tools while seamlessly incorporating all available adaptive access methods and providing a fully integrated television experience. The autonoME Hospital features a single 22” all-in-one monitor specially designed for hospitals, spinal cord injury units and rehabilitation facilities.

ASI has been a leading provider of custom environmental control unit/speech generating device solutions for individuals with the severest of disabilities for more than three decades. If you have not considered an autonoME in the past, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary demonstration with one of our product representatives today.

ALS and Speech Loss

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ALS and Speech Loss

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease. Approximately 10% – 15% of individuals with the disease present with speech difficulties as their primary symptom. Issues with speech often begin gradually with the ability to speak degrading as the disease progresses.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ALS, it is important to consider an ALS communication device with voice banking capabilities. This allows you to “bank” your voice, tone, messages and unique expressions while you still have the ability to speak.  Your voice can then be re-created as your need to communicate through voice assistive technology becomes necessary.

Let’s take a look at some ways ALS can affect speech.

Breaks or Interruptions While Speaking

ALS can cause breaks or interruptions while speaking. These “breaks” can happen frequently, making it very difficult for others to understand.

“Nasal” Sounding

We all know what it sounds like when we have allergies or a cold. A person with ALS may sound very “nasally” even without having allergies or cold.

Slurred Speech

Slurred speech is difficult to understand and is one of the tell-tale signs of disease progression.

If you’re searching for an ALS communication device with environmental control, Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) has you covered.  Our signature autonoME is a custom environmental control unit (ECU) and speech generating device combined in a single, convenient package. The autonoME’s user-friendly interface and ability to operate using multiple input methods make it one of the most sought after ECU devices on the market today.  Additionally, the autonoME’s voice assistive technology features include voice banking and full augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), making it perfect for ALS communication.

If you have been diagnosed with ALS and are concerned about loss of speech, we can help. Give us a call to learn more about the autonoME today.

 

Veterans and ALS

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Veterans and ALS

As we have discussed in a previous article, those who have served in the military appear to be at a higher risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Additional studies point to the possibility that military veterans with the ALS may live longer than the average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with the disease (long-duration ALS).  The study also found that veterans with long-duration ALS experienced onset at a younger age, tended to experience slower initial progression, and took longer to diagnose.

Read the Full Study

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) was founded by Fred Thompson in 1991 with the primary mission to help veterans.  ASI has been on the forefront of developing assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases such as ALS for nearly three decades.  Our proprietary autonoME is one of the most popular tools for individual with quadriplegias and those with ALS because it is a combined custom environmental control unit/speech generating device.  Advanced voice assistive technology features such as voice banking and full augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) make it a much sought after ALS communication device.

Although we have expanded our reach over the years, we still take our commitment to military veterans very seriously.  Not only do we employ many veterans, but we have installed our autonoME in Veteran’s Administration (VA) spinal cord injury units and have also worked with veteran’s who qualify to receive the autonoME through their VA benefits.

If you or a loved one is a veteran who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), be sure to talk to your local VA representative about the autonoME. Give us a call to learn more today!

“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.

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