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Equipment Available for Loan

The Open Access Resource Centre (OARC) specializes in advanced communications devices that help those with impaired speech expand their range of communications. The Centre maintains an inventory of more than 50 devices that are available for loan through the Centre's Equipment Loan Program. These augmentative and alternative communications (AAC) devices are valued from a few hundred to a several thousand dollars each. In each case, OARC will suggest equipment that most closely matches a person's communications need.

The equipment, which OARC has for loan through its Equipment Loan Program, is:

Low-tech devices

Low-tech devices are most suitable for first-time users of a communications device. They offer basic messages and commands and are easy to operate. Voice messages can be recorded for play back when needed.

Click on a device for more information.

BIGMack
Go Talk & GoTalk 4
Go Talk Button
Hip Talk Plus
iTalk 2 Communicator
Lingo
Partner/Four
Personal Talker
Pocket GoTalk
Sequencer
Step-by-Step
Talking Photo Album
Voice Pal Plus
VoiSec

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Medium-tech devices

Medium-tech devices operate using buttons, switches, scans, or head pointers. Most offer digitized speech at more sophisticated levels of language than low-tech devices. Some offer expanded language choices on vocabulary tablets or overlays, which require assistance to install.

Click on a device for more information.

AdVOCAte
Boardmaker Activity Pad (BAP)
Cardinal
GoTalk 20+
Hummingbird
L*E*O
7-Level Communication Builder
Smart/Talk 8
SuperTalker
Talara
TechTalk/Scan 8
TechSpeak/Scan 32
Smart/128

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Text-based devices

Text-based devices are designed for the keying of words and commands. To operate, individuals must be able to use a keyboard and to spell (phonetic spelling is acceptable). While some devices in this group only allow typing and editing of text, others also send out voice messages.

Click on a device for more information.

DynaWrite
Lightwriter
Link/Link Plus

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Dynamic display devices

These easy-to-carry devices offer interactive touch-screens and expanded language choices. They offer more individual control and independence than medium-tech devices.

Click on a device for more information.

Black and White Portable

Dynamo

Colour Portable

ALT-Chat
ChatPC
Dynamyte
Dynavox M3
Dynavox V
Dynavox Xpress
Gus Communicator Q1
iChat 2G
iPad
iTouch
MiniMerc
MiniMo
MT4
Palmtop Portable Impact
Say-it! Sam
Tango
Tellus Smart

Large

Dynavox 3100
DV4
HP Pavillion: Speaking Dynamically (donated by Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.)
IBM Thinkpad: Speaking Dynamically (donated by IBM Canada)
Mercury
MightyMo
Tech/Touch
Tobii C12

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Eyegaze

EyeMax
My Tobii