Lightwriter

Article summary

Lightwriters are a type of speech-generating device. The person who cannot speak types a message on the keyboard, and this message is displayed on two displays, one facing the user and a second outfacing display facing the communication partner or partners. A speech synthesiser is also used to provide speech output, and some models offer the facility to connect to a printer to provide printed output. For those unable to use a keyboard, some Lightwriter models provide an on-screen keyboard that can be operated with a switch using scanning technology, with word prediction to minimize keystrokes. The SL40 model includes a built-in mobile phone for text messaging and voice calls, where synthesized speech is transmitted to the call recipient, and incoming messages are spoken aloud through the device's loudspeaker. Lightwriter is the brand name of Abilia. Lightwriters are available in a wide range of European languages.

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