See What's New at ASHA!

If you're attending the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference in Chicago, you won't want to miss all the new offerings from DynaVox and Mayer-Johnson. Stop by booth # 701 to check out the EyeMax and AdaptedLearning.com (see below). You'll also want to register for our daily raffle for a copy of Boardmaker Plus! and five copies of the new Boardmaker Plus Player.

Learn more about integrating DynaVox and Mayer-Johnson products into your practice at one of the following conference presentations:

Writing Goals for AAC presented by Bryan Gold, Nov. 22 @ 3:30 - 4:30 PM, McCormick Place West
Four AAC Techniques Every Classroom Team Should Use presented by Bethany Diener, Lee Burklund, Cheryl Jurkacek, Nov. 21 @ 3:30 - 4:30 PM, McCormick Place West - CC/ W470B
Using the Boardmaker Software Family for Articulation and Practice presented by Cheris Frailey, Nov. 20 @ 9:30 - 10:30 AM, McCormick Place West - CC/W193A

IN THIS ISSUE

Communication Connections
Giving Thanks and Building New Skills with Thankful Poems

Series 5 Tips
Using the User Setup Wizard

Boardmaker Tips
A feast certain to be come tradition

Boardmaker Add-on
Cooking Up Fun!

Accelerated Learning
Online Training
On-location Training

EyeMax is Shipping!
Learn more about our Eye Gaze System

AAC in Action

Introducing AdaptedLearning.com!

AdaptedLearning.com is a free web resource from Mayer-Johnson and DynaVox that combines file sharing, powerful search capabilities, implementation articles, open discussion forums, community functions and much more... all focused on the special education and AAC community. The site lets you find what you need among thousands of Boardmaker boards and share what you have created to help others. Best of all, everything offered on the site is free! Register today on AdaptedLearning.com and we'll send you an e-mail when the site goes live November 18!

Professionally Recorded Voices Now Available for the M³

All new M³ devices will now include a CD containing professionally recorded voices for all InterAACT content. You can choose to install a professionally recorded male, female or child's voice from the CD. Learn more about the M³.

New Features Announced for the V and Vmax

If you don't have software version 1.05 for your V or Vmax, you'll want to update your software as soon as possible to take advantage of some great new features that enhance communication options, make device setup easier and provide greater flexibility when working on applications outside the V/Vmax communication software. A few of the new features include:

EyeMax Support
A robust new eye gaze system, the EyeMax enables individuals with significant physical limitations to access all Vmax features using just their eyes.

eBook Reader
This tool allows users to download books from sites such as bookshare.org and eBooks.com directly to the V or Vmax.  Books added to the eBook Reader can be read onscreen using multiple access methods, or the V/Vmax can read the book aloud to the user.

Navigator
This intuitive user interface provides quick access to speech, email, internet, computer, eBooks, and environmental control capabilities.  An alphabet-based core word strategy that combines seamlessly with the InterAACT language framework, Navigator supports fast, easy and independent communication for literate adults.

Onscreen Keyboards
These specialized keyboard pages enable V/Vmax users to operate other Windows software applications using the same selection method (e.g., scanning or eye gaze) used for their communication software.

Enhanced Environmental Control Functionality
An intuitive setup interface allows individuals with significant physical limitations and their care teams to quickly configure V and Vmax devices to operate common household appliances such televisions, DVD players, etc. equipped with infrared remote controls.

Bluetooth Connectivity
The V or Vmax can now be configured to control another computer through a Bluetooth connection.

Visit the Support section of our website to find out more about getting software version 1.05 for your V or Vmax.

Vmax and EyeMax Highlighted as "Best Core Product" at the ALS Therapy Development Institute's Leadership Summit

Troy Jurgensen, founder of Computer DX, presented "A Comprehensive Approach to Communication Systems for ALS Patients and their Families" at this prestigious conference in October. Troy works with Augie Nieto, founder of Life Fitness, Chairman of the ALS Therapy Development Institute, Chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS division, Chief Inspirational Officer of Augie's Quest, and a DynaVox EyeMax user.

During his presentation, Troy said, "We have determined that DynaVox has the best core product on the market. We've looked at them all, and we've determined that the Vmax, which is the latest DynaVox product, is a great core product; it's the best core product on the market... Recently, they've released a piece of eye tracking hardware which we've been very pleased with. Some of the other eye trackers are not very reliable, not very accurate. But the DynaVox eye tracker is very accurate and we've been very pleased."

View Troy's presentation at the ALS TDI web site. The presentation starts at 1:30:18 and his comments about the EyeMax and Vmax is highlighted between 1:27:00 and 1:28:25.

DynaVox Sponsors the ALS Association's Assistive Technology Consultation Program!

The Assistive Technology Consultation Program provides information and support to people with ALS and their families, as well as training for staff at The ALS Association's Chapters and Certified Centers of Excellence. Learn more »

Heart of Warrior

Bryan Kajiyama, a doctoral student at the University of Hawaii, was born with cerebral palsy and uses a DynaWrite to communicate. And although he has never played football, Bryan was an assistant coach for the University's football team and was recently featured on ESPN. Watch Bryan's inspirational story. Part 1 / Part 2

Win Your Own Copy of Boardmaker Plus!

It's never been easier to get your own copy of our popular Boardmaker Plus! software. Just visit DynaVox online, complete the form and you're entered. Three lucky winners will be chosen each month! Enter today.

Boardmaker Specials for November

There's a lot to be thankful for with the Boardmaker family of products this month!

Boardmaker Plus! Version 6.0
Receive the popular Beyond Boardmaker Plus! Add-on when you purchase or upgrade an existing version of Boardmaker Plus! to version 6.0.
Boardmaker Plus Player
Ensure that every child in your class has access to lessons and activities created with Boardmaker Plus! with Boardmaker Plus Player. Make your purchase in November and we'll add a free Mayer-Johnson t-shirt to your order.

Offer expires 11/30/08. Offers not available on volume discount purchases and not available to resellers or outside the U.S. Offers cannot be combined with any other Mayer-Johnson offer.

Success Story: Jennie Humphry

Jennie Humphry along with her family and friends were so excited when her DynaVox V arrived that they threw a party! However, the celebrations didn't stop there. Each day is cause for celebration as Jennie makes strides in her ability to communicate.

Do you want to share your own story? Send us an email with a brief description to connections@dynavoxtech.com and we'll consider featuring your story in an upcoming issue of Connections!