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According to the American Speech, Language & Hearing Association (ASHA), sixty percent of the individuals serviced by speech-language pathologists are considered 'nonverbal' or unable to adequately express themselves. Fortunately, there are well over 130 'augmentative communication' products currently available to help these people overcome their disability. UNfortunately, this makes for a daunting task of matching THE most appropriate product to the specific needs of the individual. Far too often, inappropriate systems are purchased simply because the consumer was not aware of all the options available. As a speech-language pathologist working with assistive technologly since 1985, I had a simple AppleWorks database of all the augmentative communication systems that I knew of. I expanded and refined it over the years. I talked about my database at many conferences and workshops. Everyone I talked to wanted a copy! Then I was approached by Cindy George who was working on a federal grant for a related topic. As we brainstormed, we realized that we could make this database a "real" product - one that would stand alone (without AppleWorks) and be very easy to use. Together, we designed what's now known as Needs First: AugCom System Search Tool. It was skillfully programmed by Janet Peters and Alan Torborg. The Windows version has been available since the Spring of 1997. After much demand, Needs First: On-Line was announced in March of 2001. Now, clinicians, therapists, teachers and parents can log on and conduct a search to find appropriate augmentative communication systems. We are acutely aware of the fact that NOTHING can replace the skill, experience and intuition of a qualified augcom assessment team. But, a "tool" like Needs First can make the assessment process easier and probably even more comprehensive. Even the most qualified assessors would find it difficult to keep abreast of ALL the augcom systems - with their myriad of features. Needs First simply eliminates the tendious, time consuming task of weeding through stacks of catalogs to find the potentially "ideal" augcom system. Still, the assessor must know what he or she is looking for. Needs First is a database which allows the user to systematically identify augcom systems according to the features they possess. BACK
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