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AAC Researchers and DynaVox Co-Develop Communication Solutions for Individuals Affected by Aphasia and Traumatic Brain Injury
Technology Transfer Project Provides Powerful Communication Framework Using Visual Scene Displays

PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 4, 2007 - DynaVox Technologies today announced the release of the Visual Scene Display communication framework for adults affected by aphasia and traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the company’s popular V and Vmax speech-output solutions. Developed under the leadership of Dr. David Beukelman, PhD, of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, and in collaboration with the Augmentative and Alternative Communication-Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (AAC-RERC), this new communication framework presents contextually rich visual images to represent meaning and support page navigation. Commonly occurring as the result of stroke, traumatic brain injury and transient ischemic attack, aphasia is the loss of previously learned communication skills resulting from damage to the language centers and their connections in the brain.

Part of a powerful communication strategy that depicts people, activities and objects in relation to one another, the Visual Scene Displays represent familiar situations, places or experiences in which all elements work to present a framework for conversation. This solution reduces the need to navigate between pages to retrieve vocabulary, thereby improving the communication experience. New, contextually meaningful, custom photographs can easily be added to the framework to provide the individual with even greater meaning and familiarity.

"In the past, AAC devices were often used by individuals with aphasia or TBI for specific communication activities such as answering the telephone and basic communication functions such as greetings, prayers, jokes, etc.," said Dr. Beukelman. "The Visual Scene Display framework provides a more robust communication experience and a more complete level of interaction support by allowing these individuals to navigate through the display and communicate messages using personal, contextual images rather than line drawings or icons."

Dr. Beukelman continued: "The digital photographs included in a Visual Scene Display provide a shared communication environment for individuals using AAC technology and their listeners. Using personally relevant pictures with associated text, they can co-construct messages and share socially relevant information."

"For the first time, individuals using advanced speech-output solutions challenged by communication disabilities resulting from aphasia and traumatic brain injury can take advantage of a powerful communication strategy grounded in solid clinical research," said Linnea McAfoose, MA, CCC-SLP, clinical product manager at DynaVox Technologies. "The Visual Scene Display - Adult communication framework gives those working to overcome the effects of these conditions a powerful base for meaningful communication and unprecedented flexibility for adding new content that is truly meaningful to their lives."

The Visual Scene Display – Adult framework is available exclusively on the DynaVox V and Vmax speech-output products, and is offered free-of-charge. Current V and Vmax customers who wish to add these pages to their device should contact DynaVox Technologies’ Technical Support Team at 1-866-DYNAVOX and request a v1.02 Update CD. All new V and Vmax products purchased after May 1, 2007 will include software version 1.02 and the Visual Scene Display – Adult framework. To learn more, visit www.dynavoxtech.com.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S Department of Education grant # H133E030018.

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About DynaVox Technologies

DynaVox Systems LLC applies proprietary and third-party technologies, and applied research efforts to deliver a broad range of augmentative communications tools to improve the quality of life for adults and children with severe speech disabilities caused by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's Disease, autism and mental retardation. The Company offers a wide range of software and hardware technology, along with an extensive customer support program, which enables individuals and their families to access state-of-the-art technology and reimbursement counsel regarding the Company's suite of products. For more information about DynaVox, visit www.dynavoxtech.com.

About David R. Beukelman, PhD

A speech-language pathologist specializing in augmentative and alternative communication and communication disorders associated with physical conditions, Dr. Beukelman is the Barkley Professor of Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Director of Research and Education of the Communication Disorders Division at the Munroe/Meyer Institute of Genetics and Rehabilitation in Omaha, Nebraska. He is also a Senior Researcher in The Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dr. Beukelman has co-authored three books: Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs (3rd Edition), Clinical Management of Motor Speech Disorders, and AAC Strategies for Adults with Acute or Chronic Medical Conditions.

He also teaches courses in augmentative and alternative communication, motor speech disorders, and cleft palate. His research program focuses on augmentative and alternative communication, dysarthria, and oral cancer. Much of his time is spent mentoring doctoral students.

About AAC-RERC

The AAC-RERC conducts a comprehensive program of research, development, training, and dissemination activities that address the National Institute in Disability Rehabilitation and Research priorities and seek to improve technologies for individuals who rely on augmentative and alternative communication technologies. The mission of the AAC-RERC is to assist people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication to achieve their goals by advancing and promoting AAC technologies and supporting the individuals who use, manufacture, and recommend them. For more information, visit http://www.aac-rerc.com.

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