Leigh-Anne Tompkins was born with cerebral palsy due to a lack of oxygen at birth. Inspired by a documentary of a young woman who painted with her feet, Leigh-Anne started drawing when she was 9 years old. Supported by her parents, teachers, college professors and other students she graduated magna cum laude in Fine Arts. She now has her own company: Graphics Afoot Studio Design. She draws with her right foot using a trackball on the floor. A head stylus, Sticky Keys and AssistiveWare's KeyStrokes provide her full keyboard access and word prediction. Using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, QuarkXpress and other print and web design software running on an Apple PowerMac G5 Quad she does design work for local, national and international companies. To communicate she uses AssistiveWare's Proloquo software. Talent and technology have allowed her to make her dreams come true. Read more about Leigh-Anne's story in AssistiveWare Newsletter #2. Leigh-Anne lives in Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America.

We can because we think we can

A video podcast showing how people use assistive technology to communicate, express their creativity, play games and make so much more out of life. This podcast shows that there is no reason why people with physical, vision, speech or language impairments cannot use the same creative and educational software as every other Mac OS X user. There will be a few episodes per year, each starring a different person. Copyright AssistiveWare, all rights reserved.

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Max is nine years old and was born with Cerebral Palsy. The language area in his brain has been affected and he therefore has difficulty using his speech to communicate. He started using Proloquo2Go on an iPad about a year ago. He now uses it on a daily basis, at school and at home. His speech has made good progress and his frustration level has decreased. Max is more able to communicate, he spells and he can create sentences that he was not able to create before. He even helps with customizing the app's vocabulary. According to his speech therapist, Proloquo2Go has become his voice and has completely changed his life. Read more about Max at www.lovethatmax.com

Disclaimer: Note that this video presents an unscripted case study and any statements made in the video pertain to this particular case and are not intended as a comprehensive product evaluation or recommendation. Different people have different needs and it is always recommended to get an AAC evaluation from an expert.

It really has become his voice

Nick is ten years old and was diagnosed with autism. His progress in speech has been extremely slow. Picture symbols, picture exchange communication techniques and photos were tried but did not work out for him, as Nick was not really interested. When Nick started using an iPad, he immediately understood how it worked and really wanted to use it. The device was reinforcing and he sensed it was a powerful tool for him. Now that Nick is using an iPad with Proloquo2Go he no longer has to try to be what other people want him to be, because he can now initiate communication and say what he wants and needs. Nick lives in New Jersey, United States of America.

Disclaimer: Note that this video presents an unscripted case study and any statements made in the video pertain to this particular case and are not intended as a comprehensive product evaluation or recommendation. Different people have different needs and it is always recommended to get an AAC evaluation from an expert.

Tell us, we want to know

Vanessa is three years old and was born with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), a form of autism. Her parents noticed that she was very to herself and knew right away that something was off. About three months ago, Vanessa started using Proloquo2Go on an iPad. Even though her parents were concerned that using a communication solution might further delay her speech development, they trialed Proloquo2Go through the Young Autism Program of DDI. Everyone has been amazed by Vanessa's approximations and increased attempts to communicate. The app has given her a voice. Now she can finally say what she wants, making more verbalizations and babbling more than before. Vanessa’s speech is growing, and most importantly, she is blossoming as a child. Vanessa lives in New York, United States of America.

Disclaimer: Note that this video presents an unscripted case study and any statements made in the video pertain to this particular case and are not intended as a comprehensive product evaluation or recommendation. Different people have different needs and it is always recommended to get an AAC evaluation from an expert.

Blossoming as a child

Giesbert Nijhuis was a talented photographer and graphic designer when he had a spinal cord injury due to a car accident in December 1995. Left paralyzed from the neck down he took up his old professions again replacing his pencil with a computer. Now he does all his artwork with his head, using a HeadMouse Extreme from Origin Instruments to control his cursor. To write and control Photoshop and all those other applications that rely on keyboard shortcuts and modifier-key click combinations he uses AssistiveWare's KeyStrokes on-screen keyboard. He has a beautiful, head-designed web site chronicling his "first" and "second" life and designs t-shirts, CD covers, film posters, application icons and much more using his head and his Apple Power Mac G5 Quad.

Head-designed

Walter Pfrommer was a pediatric surgeon when he was diagnosed with ALS in 1999. Despite losing his mobility and speech he continued to work: first as a project manager on a hospital IT project, later as consultant to another person who took over his role as project manager. Using his Apple laptop with AssistiveWare's Proloquo augmentative communication software, AssistiveWare's KeyStrokes on-screen keyboard and an Origin Instruments HeadMouse Extreme, he communicated with co-workers, family, friends and other people through email, chat and an Acapela Group synthesized speech voice. Walter wanted to make the best of life. In the video, shot in November 2005 he takes us along to his work, to a museum and to cinema. After his condition worsened he died in February 2006.

We can because we think we can

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