Many individuals who use AAC devices have difficulty reading and may have cognitive, visual, or motor disabilities that make standard Internet access software difficult to use. Saltillo and Point-and-Read announce Point-and-Chat, new software designed to enhance AAC users’ Internet access. Installed on a standard PC, the software combines the customizable input screens of Saltillo’s DesktopChat with the patented interface of Point-and-Read.

Point-and-Chat leverages an AAC users’ existing communications skills with talking email and talking IM. Both contain special features for people with multiple disabilities.

See below for expected pricing and ship dates.

Here is a link to the Point-and-Chat User Guide: www.simtalk.com/PnC/UserGuide.

Dave Hershberger, BSEE - General Manager of Saltillo, Inc. - aac@saltillo.com

Ben Slotznick, JD, PhD - President of Point-and-Read, Inc. - bslotznick@simtalk.com

For more information about Saltillo, Inc. and its other products visit www.saltillo.com.
For more information about Point-and-Read, Inc. and its other products visit www.simtalk.com/PnR.

To download the PowerPoint presentation from the seminar (in pdf format), click get PowerPoint.

Point-and Chat just received a National Center for Technology Innovation grant to conduct usability testing over the next 6 months. The testing will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Jeff Higginbotham of State University of New York at Buffalo. Here is a link to the Press Release: http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/documents/press_release_2008_05.pdf.

Expected ship dates:

Point-and-Chat™ Instant Messaging software --- limited distribution for initial usability testing will begin soon. More extensive usability testing will be conducted this summer.
Point-and-Chat™ Email software --- limited distribution for initial usability testing will begin after June 1 and will take several months.