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DISCLAIMER:
Whilst all care is taken to provide accurate information with respect to the item described, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is not involved in product design or manufacture, and therefore not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Selection of equipment, which is both suitable and appropriate for individual needs remains the responsibility of the person(s) considering requisition, and no responsibility is taken by the ILC for any loss or injury caused through use of the equipment or alleged to have arisen through reliance upon information provided. As information is subject to change any enquiries should be directed to the manufacturer.

Item Details

LightWRITER Communication Devices

ILC Reference NO 61:04:024
Item sourced from ILC VIC database

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Factors to Consider
Abbreviation Expansion and storage of some phrases allow for quick access to commonly used words and phrases.
With both speech and a visual display available, it is suitable for use with communication partners with either a hearing or vision loss.
Sensitivity of the keyboard can be altered to reduce unintentional key presses. This may benefit people with tremor or movement disorders.

Short Description
The LightWRITER is a compact text based communication device that allows for a range of printed and speech output options. Messages are produced by typing on a small QWERTY or ABCDE keyboard, through switch and scanning or morse code depending on the model chosen.

More Details
Features common to all LightWRITERS
Voice Output
Speech or text only models are available.
DECTalk is the standard English language synthesiser supplied. DECtalk permits a choice of nine voices, including male, female and child which are all of high quality and easy to understand.
A range of alternative speech synthesisers is available for languages other than English.
Voice volume can be adjusted. An external speaker added to reposition output or an amplified speaker can be used if louder volume is required.
Text can be spoken after each word, each sentence or when the Talk key is selected.

Visual Display
As the user types a message it appears in two displays one facing the user and one facing away from them for their listener.
Only one line of typing appears in letters about one centimetre high. Four or five words fit in the display at a time so a longer message scrolls off the screen and is replayed when the user activates the Talk key. The rate at which the message is replayed can be adjusted.
Displays are back lit LCD (liquid crystal displays) or VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) depending on the model.
Letters in upper case only, lower case only, or upper/lower case can be chosen.

Print Output
Most units can be connected to a LightWRITER compact printer, or compatible A4 printers.
The compact printer produces text on a small roll of paper like a cash register docket.

Accessing Options
Direct access models
SL35.
SL35/C CherryWRITER.
SL35/B LightWRITER Big Keys.
SL5X.
SL20.
SL55.
SL56

Features of direct access models
A choice of QWERTY or ABCDE keyboard layouts available.
Standard units (excluding CherryWRITER or LightWRITER Big Keys) are supplied with a light touch keyboard. There are three configurations of light touch keyboards, raised keys, flush (keys are the same height as the keyboard surround) and recessed. The deep keyguard is an optional accessory.
The PC keyboard adaptor enables any PC compatible keyboard to be attached to the SL35, SL56 or SL85.
Key repeat and key accept times can be adjusted and there are tremor settings.

Scanning models
SL85.
A choice of ABCDE, QWERTY or Frequency of Use on screen layouts is included.
One or two switch modes are available for use with row and column automatic or step scanning.
An auditory scanning option is included.
Two Toby Churchill Click switches are supplied with the unit. Other switches can be used.

Combined direct and scanning models
SL87.
SL35 with add on scan module.
SL35/C. CherryWRITER with add on scan module.
SL35/B. LightWRITER Big Keys with add on scan module.

Memory
Messages can be stored under each of the alphabet and number keys (up to 250 characters each) or under key sequences, eg. letter codes.
Abbreviation expansions and pronunciation exceptions are programmable.

SL5 family (SL5X and SL55).
6 KB of backed up memory.

SL35 family (SL35, SL56, SL85, SL35/C, SL35/B and SL87).
7 KB backed up memory.

Programming
Devices are designed to be user programmable.
Differing categories of set up access are available or set ups can be locked to prevent accidental changes.
Programming is conducted via a built in menu with visual and optional auditory prompts.

Batteries and Charging
Internal rechargeable batteries need regular overnight charging.
A battery charger is supplied with the unit.
Batteries last for 4 to 8 hours of continuous use (depending on model, age of internal batteries and visual display type).
There is an Auto Off feature, which turns the device off after a set time if it is not in use. The time can be adjusted.
A 3 monthly running down and full charging regime, using built in facility helps eliminate memory effect in battery.

Other specialised features
Word prediction.
Call signals to attract attention.

Interfacing capabilities
Optional computer transfer kit is available.

Standard Accessories
Battery charger.
Instruction manual.
Rigid carry handle (except SL85).

Optional Accessories
ABCDE key layout.
VFD display for user and/or listener.
LCD or VFD remote display.
Keyguards.
External speaker.
Wheelchair mount.
External LightWRITER printer.
Shoulder/waist bag.
Protective hard plastic briefcase.
One handed case.
Car charger.
Raincoats/Switch skins.
IBM to LightWRITER transfer kit.
Macintosh to LightWRITER transfer kit.
External printer cable.
Jack to connect standard PC keyboards.
Add On Scan Screen. This is a high intensity, high contrast, back lit liquid crystal display screen. It allows row/column scanning rows of functions and letters in QWERTY, ABCDE or frequency of use layout. Auditory scanning can be turned on or off. The scanning rate is adjustable

Alternative Speech Synthesisers for Languages other than English.
Four alternative speech synthesisers are available when the user requires languages other than English. They are available for SL20 and SL35 family (some restrictions apply, check with Zygo Australia).
Infovox can be added as an external box, in up to 3 languages. The languages available are British English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and American English.
Eurotalk can also be added, providing up to 3 languages, selecting from German, Italian, English, Danish and Swedish.
Eurovocs synthesiser offers up to 4 languages, with a choice of American English, Brazilian, Catalan Dutch, Flemish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and British English.
Juno can be fitted inside the LightWRITER and offers up to 4 languages from the following selection. Brazilian, Dutch, Finnish, Flemish, French, German, Icelandic, Irish, Italian, Latin Spanish, Maltese, Maori, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish Turkish, British and Welsh.
Audio cassettes are available from Zygo Australia containing speech samples for most of these languages.

Fixing/mounting requirements
See DEIS item no. 62.26.025 for details on wheelchair mounting system.

Specific features of each LightWRITER model
SL35 family (all models based around the same operating system)
Direct access.
Dual back lit LCD displays.
QWERTY or ABCDE layout, which can be configured by the user.
2 ports for connecting scan module, printer and computer transfer kit or alternative keyboard.

SL56 LightWRITER
2 keyboards.

SL85 LightWRITER
Scanning access only.
QWERTY or ABCDE or frequency of use scanning layouts.
External keyboard, which is primarily for an assistant to use for programming set up and stored messages.

SL35/C CherryWRITER
A Cherry Compact keyboard (see DEIS item no. 62.44.036) is integrated as part of the SL35 box.
Keys are grey with black lettering.
Designed for touch typists.
VFD user display, raincoat and an external speaker are standard features. These are all mounted on a plastic base with handle cut out.

SL35/B LightWRITER Big Keys
A BigKeys keyboard with black lettering on white keys (see DEIS item no. 62.44.042) is integrated as part of the SL35 box.
Perspex keyguard is standard.

SL87 LightWRITER
Dual switch and direct access model.
An additional scanning screen is on the top of the unit.
The scan screen can be set to display eight predictions instead of one.
The scan screen can be set to display writing in three different sizes. It can display four lines of small sized text, two lines of medium sized text or one line of large text.
This model is integrated on a plastic plate complete with a carry handle.

SL5 family (all models based around the same operating system)
SL5X LightWRITER
No speech output.
No ports.
ABCDE or QWERTY layout that must be factory fitted.

SL55 LightWRITER
As for LightWRITER SL5X but with 2 keyboards

SL20 LightWRITER
This model is specifically designed to accommodate languages other than English.
1 port for printer only
Keyboard layout can be varied to accommodate language requirements.
2 dual 20 character VFD displays to accommodate special characters.
Built in linear 1 or 2 switch scanning.

Service and maintenance
Refer to supplier/manufacturer manual for details.
Zygo Australia (03) 9696 2944 have a listing of authorised Australian repairers.

Australian Standard
For some types of equipment, specific Australian Standards are applicable to the materials used in and the manufacturing processes applied to products. Compliance with relevant Standards is indicated by written certification that a product has been tested and assessed as compliant with specified Australian Standards. Purchasers are advised to check with the supplier or manufacturer of an item as to its compliance with the relevant Australian Standard(s).

Models
SL35

Dimensions
SL35
Key Depth......................................... 90 mm
Key Width......................................... 130 mm
Overall Width..................................... 2290 mm
Overall Depth..................................... 1330 mm
Overall Height (Min).............................. 510 mm
Weight (gms)...................................... 880 g

Place Of Manufacture
Toby Churchill Ltd., Cambridge, England

Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
ALTO COMPUTERS,   WELLINGTON POINT, QLD
INDOMED PTY LTD,   OCONNOR, WA
NOVITATECH,   REGENCY PARK, SA
SPECTRONICS ,   UNDERWOOD, QLD
TECHNABILITY ,   ALLAMBIE HEIGHTS, NSW
TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS,   SILVAN, VIC
ZYTEQ PTY LTD.,   SOUTH MELBOURNE, VIC

Additional /images
No additional /images apply to this item

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