Description
Tobii Dynavox Communicator 5 is a software package designed to help individuals with communication disabilities communicate more efficiently. Communicator 5 converts text and symbols into clear speech, and offers easy-to-use tools for computer access, e-mail, text messaging, telephony, environmental control and more.
More efficient communication for all
Communicator 5 comes with language content designed to match all AAC needs, from emerging communication to literate adults. The content can be further customized for specific individuals through easy-to-use editing tools. Communicator allows you to communicate via text or symbols, and generates high quality speech for face-to-face communication.
The modern user interface, improved workflows and smart functions enable the user to communicate more efficiently than ever before. The setup guide, quick menu, and improved editing are only some of the functions that make it easier for caregivers and anyone else that helps the user throughout the day, to keep the user’s language up to date.
While being specifically designed for the Tobii Dynavox I-Series+, Communicator works on Windows computers running Windows 7 or newer, such as the Microsoft Surface.
Understandable communication for symbol users
For those unable to read or write, Communicator 5 lets you use symbols or pictures to support your communication. Symbol pages from the Sono Suite are included and are a great way to begin using the software. With the built-in grammar functions, even symbol users can conjugate verbs and adjectives, thereby aiding language learning.
Included with Communicator 5 are over 15,000 communication SymbolStix symbols that enable people of all ages to communicate clearly and understandably. Communicator 5 also supports other standard-format communication symbol and picture libraries, such as Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). You can also import your own photos and pictures from the computer or use the built in camera to take snapshots.
Convenient communication through text and high quality voices
Communicator 5 comes with high quality voices from Acapela. When you click on the message window or speech button, a clear and understandable voice, specific to your language, age , and gender, speaks. Based on your preferences, you can even speak-as-you-type.
Windows keyboard
Communicator’s on-screen Windows keyboards are designed to work side by side with Gaze Selection and Mouse Emulation, providing unparalleled Windows access.
Any text you write using the universal on-screen keyboard can be sent to an open Windows application, and you can also send different keystroke combinations to utilize keyboard shortcuts for quick and easy navigation.
This means that you can use the same keyboard layout in Communicator as well as in any Windows application, like Microsoft Word or Excel.
Gaze Interaction Software – Mouse emulation and Gaze Selection
With a supported eye tracker, like the one in the Tobii Dynavox I-Series+, mouse emulation replaces the traditional mouse cursor with the user’s gaze. The award winning Gaze Selection software makes it possible to control your desktop, or any other application, through an intuitive two-step process that reduces the risk of unwanted clicks. Tobii Dynavox Gaze Selection gives you more relaxed computer access and the ability to hit smaller targets for full computer access.
Mouse emulation for switch users
Switch-scan solutions can be set up in a variety of ways using one or two switches. As a switch user, the mouse emulation features enable you to hit any clickable element and to control the standard Windows environment, moving beyond communication pages to a new level of functionality.
More than face-to-face communication
The ability to go beyond face-to-face communication is increasingly important, and having access to e-mail and messaging enhances the independence and quality of life for many of our AAC users. Being able to engage in private and personal conversations without the assistance of a caregiver is of huge importance to many — something that has been made much easier with Communicator 5.
Control your environment
With Communicator 5, you can easily program and control IR-enabled devices in your environment, such as your TV, DVD player and toys. You can also adjust bed positions, open doors, turn lights on or off and much more.
The Tobii Dynavox I-Series+ comes with built in GEWA support and is optimized to work with Communicator 5.
Keep up to date with friends – and social media
Communicate with colleagues, friends and family by using ready-made pages and functions for online chat, e-mail and telephone text messages (SMS). You can even make a phone call using the synthetic voice .
Want to keep friends and family in the loop? Update your social media status with the built-in Facebook page set ! It allows you to read and make posts to your Facebook newsfeed from within Communicator 5, letting people know about that new restaurant or your thoughts on the movie you just watched.
Contemporary look
Completely redesigned, Communicator 5 now has a contemporary flat design that makes it easier to navigate and use.
Buttons and menus are found in the same location in the different views and page sets, for easier learning and efficiency.
The font Comic Sans is used for symbol-based page sets, which is suitable for beginning readers.
Personalise the look and feel of the user interface by changing color schemes, grid, button sizes and much more.
Emerging Communication
You might think of an emerging user as someone who is just starting with AAC, and does not yet have the ability to efficiently use symbol or written language. The user is often in need of training on how to access an AAC device, and has a limited or no understanding that symbols, pictures and words represent ideas. An emerging communicator does not have a reliable method of expressive communication through symbolic language.
The Emerging Communication level in Communicator 5 contains activities, visual scenes and simple communication page sets.
Symbol Communication
A symbol communicator has a basic understanding of symbols as a means of communicating and is starting to understand more abstract picture symbols. Some users are able to talk about certain topics and/or able to communicate in certain settings or activities. Other symbol communicators are able to use advanced symbol language vocabularies, which allow them to construct complex utterances combining core and fringe words.
The Symbol Communication level in Communicator 5 contains an extensive selection of pre-made grid-based symbol communication page sets. Some of them have added functionality such as telephony, e-mail and music player.
Text communication
The text communication level is for individuals who are literate, and write their messages by means of an on-screen keyboard. The text communication level has features that allow the user to communicate efficiently through rate enhancement techniques such as word and phrase prediction.
In addition, the Text Communication user has a rich set of functionalities for long-distance communication such as e-mail and telephony.
