News

TechnoBabble

AGOSCI Conference Special Edition

In this special issue:

- Say-it! SAM V2
- Say-it! SAM XP1
- CONVERSA
- Tech/Overlay Designer


Jan (Summer) 2009

In this months issue:

- Classroom Tools
- DAESSY class
- Rolling Mounts
- ERICA, CONVERSA
- Special Offer



Previous issues:

Oct (Autumn) 2008

In this issue:

- Improved Ablenet
  communicators
- DAESSY update
- SAM family
- bargains on offer

We're ready for 2010.
4 January 2010 --
The start of 2010 sees Technability busily arranging all those Loan Requests from late December, 2009 - a very popular part of our day to day which continues into this new year.

Technability's free Equipment Loan Service is here to assist you with your AT purchase so follow this link for more information on what's on offer ...


>> Equipment Loan Service Flyer



The New Year also sees Technability adding to our Loan Pool with the following Technologies now available:

>> Mount'N Mover Kits (dual and single arm)
>> ALLORA Speech Generating Device
>> ERICA II eye-gaze system - visit request form
>> More DAESSY Mounts

Feel free to contact us on 02 9975 8419 if there's something you'd like to trial that's not listed. It's possible to add items upon request.

In 2010, our Equipment Loan Service and our professional staff are ready to help you with your Assistive Technology purchase.



Adam Lynn
Manager and Product Specialist

Short Summer Close
15 December 2009 --

Technability will be taking a short summer break, commencing 18th December 2009.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patronage and to send our best wishes to all during this festive season and wish everyone a safe 2010.

Unfortunately, it also means that during this time we will be unable to process your orders or assist you with technical advice. We apologise for this inconvenience.

Here's the important dates:

CLOSE => 12:00 pm, 18th December 2009
RE-OPEN => 08:30 am, 4th January 2010

Tech Help over this Period

If you have a "technology" incident during this time, please feel free to email us with the details. Please include the following to make for easier troubleshooting:

1. Make, model and serial number of your device or software.
2. Short description of the problem.
3. Short description of what happened JUST BEFORE it stopped functioning properly.
4. Any physical changes to the devices (dropped, hit, got wet)
5. Operating System of your device or PC or MAC.

You can fax this type of description to 02 9975 5932 or email it to technability@tscnsw.org.au along with the best contact phone number for you.

We'll collect them all bright and early on Monday the 4th January and start making phone calls - have the device at the ready on the 4th January!

Thanks again, we look forward to you being part of Technability in 2010.

National Disability Insurance Scheme
15 October 2009 --

The Spastic Centre has been a strong supporter of the campaign to introduce a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

This would be a no-fault, insurance scheme, similar to Medicare, which would provide lifetime care and support for people who have, or acquire, a significant disability.

It would be a safety net for all Australians.

The campaign is receiving great media coverage and bi-partisan political support, but we need your help to get it across the line.

A new website has been launched at www.ndis.org.au.

As this scheme is particularly relevent to customers of Technability across Australia, The Spastic Centre is asking you to take action.

Here's how ...

1. Download and display the Petition in the reception area at your office or invite your friends to sign it.

2. Email Your MP. Tell them about your connection to someone with a disability. Then share your thoughts about the difficulties encountered by people with a disability and their families, and how an NDIS could make a real difference. If you work for a disability service, please remember to respect client confidentiality - speak generally and don't mention people by name.

3. Sign up as an organisational supporter.

Spread the word:

Please tell your family and friends about this campaign. Disability can affect anyone and we need everyone to embrace this idea.

- On the website, Request an Email to pass onto people you know, so they can take action.

- If you're a Facebook user, please add your name as a fan on the NDIS Facebook page -

www.facebook.com/NationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme.org.au


This is a scheme that has the potential to change the future for people with a disability in Australia.

The challenges facing people living with a disability and their families are immense - we urge you to support this campaign.

Mount'n Mover now available in Australia.
24 August 2009 --

Technability are pleased to announce the release of BlueSky Design's Mount'N Mover in Australia.

Mount'N Mover offers flexible and stable positioning on wheelchairs and tables for laptop computers, communication devices, for reading or just about any other need.

The easy-to-use levers require low-effort and can be used one-handed. The adjustable joints allow for true customisation with 12 memory lock settings per joint - set your Mount'N Mover to exactly where it needs to be!

The Mount'N Mover comes in three distinct variations - Dual Arm, Single Arm and Tilt'n Turner (no arm).

With Quick Reelase Plates to suit the most popular AAC devices including the V, Vmax and M3 from Dynavox, simple communication devices from Ablenet, devices from PRC and more to come, Mount'N Mover is the latest in Mounting technology.

Follow these links to read more about Mount'N Mover ...

Mount'N Mover - Flyer
Mount'N Mover - Brochure (~2.3MB)

Technability will offering Mount'N Mover as part of our Equipment Loan Service so that you can see and trial this mounting solution for yourself.

As a guide, here's a first look "How To Order" Mount'N Mover - it's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ...

Mount'N Mover - How To Order Guide

Product Catalogue 2009 Pricing changes.
22 May 2009 --

As at 20 May 2009, Technability's pricing of all of our assistive and inclusive technologies incurred slight price changes.

Consequently, if you have our 2009 Product Catalogue, the prices therein are now out of date. We are pleased the book lasted over 6 months before the pricing become obsolete but for all of you who received a copy in last November's mail-out, we understand this causes inconvenience.

To that end, we have generated Price Guides, for each section of the book (Communication, Mounting, Switches, Computer Access, Software, Environmental COntrol) and for the complete document.

Theses can be downloaded and read in conjunction with your original copy by following the link below.

Feel free to download your updated Price Guides for each product section or for your enitre catalogue - - Follow this link ...

>> 2009 Price Guides (May 2009)

As always, if you have any concerns about pricing contact us directly to lock your price in for 30 days via a Technability Quotation.

ERICA II - The most affordable and powerful dedicated eye-gaze system just got better ...
15 May 2009 --

ERICA (Eye gaze Response Interface Computer Aid) is good. ERICA II is better!

In the next few months, Technability will launch the the latest update to the eye-gaze system from Eye Response Technologies - ERICA II.

Continuing on from the wonderful marriage of accurate eye-gaze tracking and the smart design of the included LifeMate software, the ERICA II update offers better tolerance to incidental head movement and improved software content for the out-of-the-box experience.

ERICA II will bring a second generation camera to the already super slick tablet-based voice output platform enabling even more accurate eye-tracking.

ERICA offers industry leading computer access via eye-gaze. ERICA II will be even better! The included LifeMate 3.0 software's ready-made layouts (inbuilt access to the internet, email, remote appliances, movies, music and of course, communication layouts) means you can stay within LifeMate and access your PC applications as well as communicate your needs. Access to the regular PC desktop or PC applications is also attended to with intelligent zooming, clicking and mouse features allowing accuracy and stability.

Download an ERICA II pre-launch brochure

ERICA II coming soon - register your interest by download the following form and returning it to us via email or fax or call us directly.

Download the ERICA II visit request form.

CONVERSA - The latest member of the SAM group.
08 May 2009 --

The Conversa, a new design in speech generating technologies.

Conversa is a complete augmentative communication device, running intelligent AAC software as well as a highly "spec'd" tablet-based personal computer.

Conversa is adaptable for many different access methods, from simple touch-screen, mouse, or keyboard input to all kinds of scanning and pointing techniques. Fully DAESSY compatible for wheelchair mounting and Conversa comes with an included DAESSY adapter.

Conversa has the clearest of speech engines with NeoSpeech (Male and Female) and Nuance's Aussie Voices (Lee and Karen) pre-installed.

Pre-installed as standard on all Conversa units is the intelligent Say-it! SAM PC software for all types of communication needs. SAM PC software allows for vocab programming using the included PCS library (over 6500 symbols) or any other digital image. SAM PC also includes the smartest of on-screen keyboards for spellers, with powerful word prediction setings and intelligent Phrase Prediction collection. SAM learns all about you and helps you say what needs to be said!

Conversa is available for loan of trial through Technability's Equipment Loan Service and is the latest edition to the SAM family of Speech Generating Devices from WORDS+, brought to you by Technability.

Download a Conversa brochure.

Other SAM devices include Say-it! SAM V2 hand-held and Say-it! SAM XP1 tablet.

Follow the links below for a brochure.

Say-it! SAM V2
Say-it! SAM XP1

Products of the Month - New switches with a twist ...
12 February 2009 --

We've updated our Switch product listing by creating an appendix (Appendix D - Switch Update) that is to be read in conjunction with the Switch section our 2009 Product Catalogue.

Inside you'll find the latest offering from Ablenet - Jelly Bean twist and Big Red twist.

Download both the Switch Section of our 2009 Product Catalogue and the Switch Update Appendix in Products link above.

These new additions to our switch product line offer flexibility and creativity - have a change in colour as quickly as you can twist the cap!

Also given the twist makeover are Jelly Beamer and Jelly Beamer wireless Switch Latch and Timer - colour choice is no longer a problem as you get all the colours in one pack - red, blue, green and yellow - with an option for more subdued colours purchased separately if the need arises!

"Beamer" family Big Beamer twist and Big Beamer twist wireless Switch Latch and Timer - both wireless solutions based on the ever popular Big Red Switch.

Keep your eyes on our Product Of The Month next month where we'll offer some unique packages to create out of the box solutions for your inclusive classroom or for your toys at home.

TechnoBabble Summer Edition 2009
30 January 2009 --

The Summer of 2009 edition of TechnoBabble is now ready for download or online reading. Another bumper edition of 'Babble has been put together once again with many varied articles on different types of assistive technology products and subjects.

We've dedicated two whole pages of 'Babble this edition to assisting you with your DAESSY Mount knowledge with articles about Rolling Mounts and an instructional piece explaining Frame Clamps.

There's also stories on AAC devices from ERICA, new Partner series, Conversa and an interview with SuperTalker. Look out also for a SPECIAL OFFER exclusive to TechnoBabble readers - get a free Partner/Plus!

The every popular "Did You Know" is back along with other interesting facts, tips and updates. Download Now!

For the Screen - Enviro friendly.
January (Summer) 2009 - (approx 1 MB)

Technability 2009 Catalogue in circulation
12 January 2009 --

Late in 2008, Technability published the latest edition of our Products and Services catalogue which will keep current throughout this year, 2009.

We also completed an audit of our mailing list and subsequently performed a mail-out to all those requiring the book.

If you missed your copy call us for one to be posted to you.

If you'd prefer your own hard copy, we have limited numbers remaining. To have one posted to you, download the following form, complete the details therein and send it back to us via email or the post - Subscription Form.

Alternatively, you can simply call us on 02 9975 8419 and arrange for delivery of your copy or send us an email with your mailing details for a one-off delivery of the 2009 book. All free of charge too!

Products Of The Month - PowerLink 2 "Power Pack" and PowerLink 2 "Access Pack"
1 January 2009 --


Technability specialise in bundling together complimentary technologies which go hand-in-hand and price them attractively. In this case, we have bundled the Powerlink 2 Control Unit.

The Powerlink 2 is an environmental control device that connects a mains-powered appliance to a switch, giving you switch control without having to customise your appliance. It features direct, latched and timed modes of operation for greater accessibility and is perfect for accessing radios, lights, blenders and sensory equipment.

PowerLink 2 "Power Pack"
Our first offer is the Technability bundled PowerLink 2 "Power Pack". This incorporates:

- One (1x) PowerLink 2 Control Unit.
- One (1x) AirLink Cordless Switch.

This "Power Pack" allows instant wireless control over your mains-powered appliances is now even more offers a saving of $25 compared to purchasing the individual items separately.

Price - $429

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PowerLink 2 "Access Pack"
Our second offer is the Technability bundled PowerLink 2 "Access Pack". This incorporates:

- One (1x) PowerLink 2 Control Unit.
- One (1x) AbleNet Jelly Bean Switch OR Big Red Switch (your choice).

The PowerLink Access Pack is the most cost-effective way to get instant switch control over your mains-powered appliances. Save $20 with this package compared to purchasing the individual items separately.

Price - $349

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Other switches can be added - contact Technability if you require alternative switches in preference to AirLink, Jelly Bean Switches or Big Red Switches.

Download our Environment Control Section of our 2009 Products Catalogue.

New Office Re-opens
1 October 2008 --

Technability have moved into our new office space on The Spastic Centre’s Allambie Heights site and are up and running in the new facility.

Our office and facilities are now also co-located with our colleagues from Technology Services; TASC Equipment Services and TASC Consultants.

This is the first step in the re-development of the Allambie Heights site and we should be in this location until the new Head Office is built sometime in the near future. Please take a look at our new contact details.

Quality Assurance - Technability recertified to AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 Customer Service Standards
1 October 2008 --

In March of this year, Technability have once again been certified to the ISO 9001:2000 Customer Service Standard with the audit conducted by BSI Benchmark.

This takes our certification to this Service Level to now more than 10 years running and shows our comittment to Customer Serivce, continual improvement and the quality of our work.

What that means for you is that we have a management system in place which allows you to expect the same high level of customer service in every aspect of your interaction with Technability - every time.

We can achive this by having "tried and true" procedures and policies in place that guide everything we do. Our Certificate says:

'For the Provision of Assistive Technology products and services'

That's our aim and we're happy to hear from you as to how we measure up to that goal.

Product of the Month - IMPROVED BIGmack, LITTLEmack, Step-by-Step and SuperTalker
1 October 2008 --


AbleNet Inc have recently made improvements to their range of simple yet effective voice output devices. Improvements have been made to the following devices of which you may be familiar.


>> BIGmack and LITTLEmack
>> BIG & LITTLE Step-by-Step Communicators
>> Step-by-Step with Levels
>> SuperTalker
>> iTalk2

All tried and true classroom inclusion tools for many different types of activities and communication needs.

Improvements include:

>> interchangeable switch cap colours
>> improved sound reproduction
>> 40% and 80% increase in recording time
>> improved battery life.

These devices now sound better, last longer, have improved capabilities and allow for more flexibility of use.

Download the latest Edition of the 2009 Price Guide for pricing -

Full Price Guide