That’s why we are supporting this wonderful initiative” says Henk-Willem Laan, NSGK director. For these children being able to communicate with a child’s voice is so important to be able to express themselves, communicate and be heard. There are thousands of children who are unable to make themselves heard with their own voice, and some with access to only an adult’s voice on their AAC system. “For NSGK it’s vital for children with disabilities to be included at school, sports clubs, in the playground – everywhere. It is important to all the partners that all Dutch children who need AAC can have access to these voices. Combined with Proloquo2Go, Dutch children who are unable to speak will for the first time be able to say whatever they want in a voice that matches their age and gender.” explains founder and CEO of AssistiveWare David Niemeijer. This release is extra special for AssistiveWare, “As a Dutch company we are truly excited to be able to deliver the first ever Dutch Text to Speech children’s voices together with our partners Acapela Group and NSGK. The award-winning iOS app already gives a voice to over 175,000 children, teens and adults around the world. Over 20 voices in different languages are already available, and we look forward to keep continuing offering voices for kids all over the world,” says Nicolas Mazars, Business Unit manager of Acapela Inclusive.įrom today, the voices will be available to download exclusively in Proloquo2Go. Together we have contributed to change the daily lives of children and their families that are using Acapela voices with AssistiveWare’s award-winning solutions. “AssistiveWare has been our partner since the inception of the children voices. These formed the basis to make genuine, natural-sounding Text to Speech voices that will allow children to say anything they want. They made recordings of all kinds of sentences, sounds and expressions. Last summer, two children (a boy and a girl) spent days in the studio. This ground-breaking project introduces the first ever Dutch Text to Speech children’s voices. For many of these children, high tech AAC is the best opportunity for them to communicate. It is vital for them to have access to a means to communicate. Hans van Balkom.Īn estimate of over 50,000 dutch speaking children are unable to make themselves understood with their own voice. It will become a part of who they are.” says Professor Dr. This means that they will be able to identify with their AAC more than ever. It’s so exciting that technology has made it possible for them to speak in such a fantastic sounding child’s voice. “Children using AAC have always been limited by adult voices. They will benefit children who cannot speak and rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. ![]() The Dutch voices, named Thijs and Merel were recorded by and for children. The voices were developed in collaboration with Acapela Group and supported by Nederlandse Stichting voor het Gehandicapte Kind (NSGK). The repetition of what the individual said, if done in a very subtle way, helps him or her know that they were heard and it was not a “big deal.” Therefore, when repeating, eye contact should be minimized and a very nonchalant, no-big-deal attitude should be adopted.Today AssistiveWare, assistive technology pioneer, adds Dutch children’s voices to its symbol-based communication app Proloquo2Go. As the individual responds by telling his or her Verbal Intermediary®, the relative should repeat what was said. For example, if the individual is typically mute with someone, but becoming nonverbal, using a parent, sibling, or someone else he or she is verbal with as a Verbal Intermediary® is suggested. It is how these questions are asked that will make the difference. Helping around the house, cooking/bakingĭuring these games and activities, relatives, friends, or school staff should ask the child questions.Games: board games, card games (Go Fish, War), complete back/forth interview games.where the relative can ask direct/choice questions regarding the ‘prop’ shown Show off school work, drawings, photo albums, etc.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |