Product Highlights

Help Knows No Borders

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ASI Makes a Difference in Canada

Help Knows No BordersMrs. Carmen Cels, a caregiver and advocate for her husband Mike who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), wanted to improve Mike’s quality of life by incorporating a bed mount. She reached out to Brice Green, ASI’s VP of Business Development, to learn more about the autonoME Bed Mount and whether it was available for purchase in Canada.

Brice knew there would be some red tape involved with selling her a bed mount since ASI does not currently sell products in Canada. However, he was so touched by Carmen and Mike’s story that he and Team ASI in the Homosassa, Florida office decided to donate an autonoME Bed Mount to them.

Brice immediately got to work. He drafted the necessary paperwork and then prepared Carmen to be able to install the bed mount herself. He then reached out to Ken Wogman, ASI’s metal fabricator, and asked him to supply a custom part that would allow Carmen to attach Mike’s current device receiver to the autonoME Bed Mount. Then, he contacted the manufacturer of the mounting hardware to ask for assistance with adapting Mike’s device with the receiver. After discovering that Carmen and Mike live close to the manufacturer, a rep from the manufacturer was happy to come to their home and help them install the receiver.

“We truly do what we do because we want to help people,” explains Brice. “Yes, we are a business and we have to cover our overhead, but our mission is toHelp Knows No Borders make a difference, and our mission always comes first.”

Mike is enjoying the benefits of having the bed mount, and Carmen is happy to see the difference it’s made. Thank you for your kind words, Carmen!

 “My husband Mike and I live in Canada and reached out to Accessibility Services, Inc. after seeing the Bed Mount on their website. Mike has ALS and we thought this device might be helpful for him. We discovered that there isn’t an equivalent product locally unless we ordered an expensive custom piece. 

 After our inquiry, Brice was so incredibly responsive, kindly offering to send us a free mount, since they aren’t selling to Canada right now.  He stayed in touch, was proactive, and responded to our many questions.  We determined that the mount might not be compatible with Mike’s existing eyegaze tablet hardware.  So, Brice reached out to the people here who built mount systems, and between the two companies, they found a solution!

Brice and his team sent us an easy-to-assemble mount; didn’t charge us for shipping, or any hidden fees! Such an incredibly kind gesture. Our local mount guy also ended up donating the needed part for compatibility and his time to assist with set-up.

Later, we had trouble tightening a joint, and Brice managed our ‘fix’ by phoning me to walk through the issue. The mount does what it needs to do and is very convenient. So much easier than trying to adjust a floor mounted model. We feel so lucky to have reached out to Brice and think that they care tremendously for their clients.  They understand the need and the impact they provide.  We are so impressed.” – Mrs. Carmen Cels

 

Support is Closer Than You Think

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Revolutionary New Connect App is a Game Changer for autonoME Users

The new Connect App (Connect) is the latest addition to the autonoME. In addition to its superior capabilities and features, another reason why so many professionals, caregivers, and individuals choose the autonoME is because of the exemplary customer service and technical support that accompanies it.

Now, autonoME software engineers have personalized this support even further with the launch of Connect. Connect allows you to learn more about the nationwide autonoME community, get to know members of Team ASI on a more personal level, and connect with Team ASI directly from your autonoME device. You can also submit suggestions on additional features you would like to see and how we can improve your overall User Experience (UX).

“The new Connect App takes the autonoME to the next level,” explains Lisa Swiger, President of Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI). “Now all users, caregivers, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, rehab staff, etc. can access a member of ASI’s sales or support teams directly from their autonoME interface. This differs from other environmental control units and speech generating devices currently on the market which route users to a call center via a telephone or web page. Connect is definitely a game changer.”

Watch this brief overview video to learn more about how Connect works. ASI’s software engineers and marketing team are rolling out new content weekly, so please keep checking Connect for more updates. We would love for you to send us your feedback and thoughts so far.

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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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 quality of life for individuals with the most severe disabilities by developing innovative solutions and assistive technology for quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 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 Quality of Life

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assistive technology for quadriplegics

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) has been providing and developing assistive technology for quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quality of life.

Environmental Control

Early assistive technology for quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics 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 quadriplegics, 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 quadriplegics. The autonoME also features various input devices and methods, so it has become one of most sought after environmental control and communication devices for quadriplegics 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 quadriplegic. 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 quadriplegic. 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 quadriplegics in both hospital and residential settings? If so, give us a call!

The Anatomy of the autonoME (part 2)

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tools for quadriplegics

The autonoME is one of the industry’s most respected communication devices for quadriplegics.  What makes the autonoME so attractive is its combined augmentative and alternative (AAC) and environmental control capabilities. We’ve been taking a closer look at specific features users, caregivers and professionals find most beneficial.  Below are three more reasons why the autonoME is so popular in both residential and hospital settings.

User-Friendly Interface

Ease is important when it comes to tools for quadriplegics.  The autonoME boots up at the Home menu and features a user-friendly interface consisting of Menus (i.e. grid pages) with Commands (cells).  Not only are the Menus and Commands ideal for users, but hospital staff and caregivers also find the autonoME’s interface simple to learn so they can assist the individual should the need arise.

Full Environmental Control

Not only is the autonoME a preferred speech generating device (SGD), but it is also capable of environmental control.  This is especially important in a hospital ECU because it not only helps patients re-gain independence, but also frees up hospital staff to spend more time concentrating on medical care. Environmental control features include the ability to operate the hospital bed, turn on lights, use the telephone with privacy microphone and privacy speaker and control the television.  It even has nurse call integration.

User Adjustable Settings

What makes the autonoME such a desired assistive technology for quadriplegics (especially as a hospital ECU) is the fact that it is so easy for users to adjust and operate.  The autonoME is equipped with a number of user adjustable settings including scan speeds, voice outputs, and even self-calibration when using accessory kit Intelligaze camera for input.

Next month, we will highlight a few more features that make the autonoME such a sought after environmental control unit / speech generating device.  In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about the autonoME, feel free to contact us.  We would love to talk with you!

“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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