Proloquo

Proloquo is a pronounciation assistant, with 2 main functions : it can be used as a communication system and provides the control of the computer for people with visual impairment.

System requirement   :

Mac OS X 10.3 or later (recommanded)       

Screen : 800 x 600 pixels.

Functions  :

Proloquo as a communication system :

- Basic reading : Proloquo includes a text window and read anything that had been written in this area. The reading can be done letter by letter, word by word or sentence by sentence, depending on the user's choice.

- « Sentence » reading : Proloquo allows the creation of files containing the most frequently used sentences, grouped by themes. A window appears with the control buttons to navigate between the files. The selection of a sentence reads it, or prints in the text window in order to be modified. A file containing sentences can be converted into a communication grid, where a cell is allocated to each sentence. Those grids can also be used with pictures if you have LayoutKitchen (see Switch XS)

- Scanning mode possible with Switch XS : the communication grids may be exported to Switch XS.

Proloquo as an access tool :

- Function « load the selection » : it allows, in any application using the default buffer , to read a text selected in this application. Thus, the biggest part of the content of the screen is accessible to a person with visual impairment (however, it may not be efficient for a blind person because you first have to select the text).

- Speaking interface : this function reads the menu and the content of the button when the cursor stops on it for a while (time ajdustable). The reading can also start when a chosen key is pressed (the control key for instance).

- Audio feed-back: Proloquo can read a text in real time while the text is being typed, in any application. Once again, you can choose between reading letter by letter, word by word, or sentence by sentence. However, the synchronisation between typing and reading may be labourious in some applications, including Word... For this reason, Proloquo includes its own text processing. Unfortunately, this text processing has rather few functionalities.

Audio possibilities : feminine and masculine voices. You can choose betwen « high quality » and « high definition », you can set the volume, speed, ... A interesting point : you can choose different voices to read a text, make the audio feed back, read the menu, ...

Advantages  :

Offers many functions.

The menu and tool bar can be resized for people with visual impairment.

The quality of the voice is better than in some other softwares.

Allows to read function buttons of Keystrokes and Switch XS.

Disadvantes  :

The synchronisation typing/reading in some applications.

It seems quite uncertain a single user will use all the functionalities of Proloquo.

Supplier  :

Assistive Ware : www.assistiveware.com

          Price : 249 €