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Lightwriter
Lightwriters are a type of speech-generating device. The person who cannot speak types a message on the keyboard, and this message is displayed on two displays, one facing the user and a second outfacing display facing the communication partner or partners. A speech synthesiser is also used to provide speech output, and some models offer the facility to connect to a printer to provide printed output. For people who are unable to use a keyboard, some models of Lightwriter offer the option of an on-screen keyboard with selection made by a switch using a scanning technique. Word prediction is included to make a significant reduction in the number of keystrokes. One model of Lightwriter, the SL40, has a built-in mobile phone which provides text messaging and the option of voice telephony with the synthesised speech sent to the person on the other end and the incoming speech message being broadcast through the Lightwriter's loudspeaker. Lightwriter is the brand name of Abilia. Lightwr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toby Churchill
Toby Churchill DEng FRSA (born 29 June 1947) is a disabled British entrepreneur. He founded a company manufacturing communication aids for people who cannot speak. Biography He is the eldest son of Oliver Churchill and Ruth (née Briggs). He was born in Cambridge where he has lived for all of his life. He was educated at The Perse School, Cambridge, and the University of Bath where he studied engineering with French. In 1968, aged 21, Toby contracted encephalitis from swimming in a polluted river while working in France as part of his degree course. Within 24 hours he became totally paralysed and without speech. Doctors initially diagnosed his lost speech as a sunstroke but subsequently realised it was more serious. Then French President, General de Gaulle, heard that someone with the surname Churchill had been taken seriously ill and, mistakenly assuming Toby was related to Sir Winston Churchill, arranged for him to be flown back to Cambridge airport in his private jet. Toby spe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
