Father’s App Lets Disabled Son ‘Speak’ Thru iPad
By Breen, Tom; Washington Post,Publication Date: December 24, 2010
Article features a communication tool developed for use on the Apple iPhone and iPad. The VerbalVictor application was developed and named by its designer for his son who has a rare genetic disorder that causes delays in the development of speech. The app allows parents and caregivers to take pictures and record phrases to go with them. These can then be accessed via icons on the screen that the child touches to communicate. For example, a picture of the backyard can be accompanied by the recorded sentence “I want to go outside and play.” The inventor, a professor of computer science at Wake Forest University, developed VerbalVictor with the aid of some of his students. The app will be for sale at Apple Inc.’s iTunes store at the end of 2010 at the price of 10 dollars as one of dozens of new software products available to aid people with a range of disabilities. Other apps in this category mentioned include Sign4Me, a sign language tutor that uses an animated avatar; and ArtikPix, a flash card like app that helps teachers and speech therapists improve their students’ articulation of words.
Published by: Washington Post Company (Website:http://www.washpostco.com)
Link to text: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/24/AR2010122401733.html
