Because this time, the stakes are high.
This time, it’s my daughter’s voice on the line. Literally.
My daughter, Maya, will turn four in May and she can’t speak. The only word that she can consistently say with 100% clarity is “done”—which, while helpful, isn’t really enough to functionally communicate. When Maya was two and a half we introduced her to the iPad, and we’ve danced with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) ever since. We experimented with a few communication apps, but nothing was a perfect fit. After an extensive search for the perfect app, we found it: Speak for Yourself. Simple and brilliant, we saw that it had the potential to serve Maya into adulthood, but was also simple enough for her to start using immediately.
And she liked it. And it worked. And I started to have little flashes of the future, in which she could rapidly tap out phrases and ideas and tell me more and more of the secret thoughts that fill her head—the ones that I’m hungry to hear and she’s dying to share but her uncooperative mouth just can’t get out.
My kid is learning how to “talk.” It’s breathtaking.
But now Speak for Yourself in under fire, and from a surprising (to an AAC outsider) or not-so-surprising (to an AAC insider) source. They’re being sued by Semantic Compaction Systems and Prentke Romich Company, big names in the AAC world. SCS and PRC allege that Speak for Yourself is infringing on their patents. I’m going to be honest: I don’t know about patents and infringement, and I’m not going to get into debates about the legal merits of the case, because that’s a conversation in which I would quickly drown.
I went on to learn that customers have been requesting an app for quite some time from PRC, but they seem to have no interest in joining the iPad market, much to the dismay of the users. And why not? Why not make an app that could be used by some of their nonverbal consumers? Why not create a more affordable alternative to the large devices, something that could conceivably bring a voice to many, many more nonverbal children and adults? I want to think that it’s not just about the money . . . but it seems to clearly be just about the money.
Interestingly, PRC’s mission statement starts with “We Believe Everyone Deserves A Voice.” Perhaps “We Believe Everyone Who Purchases Our Devices Deserves A Voice” or “We Believe Everyone Except Those Needing An Affordable App Deserves a Voice” might be more appropriate alternatives.
Speak for Yourself is a clever, unique app that presents thousands of words in a simple, accessible way. It’s unlike anything that I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot. The creators are speech therapists and AAC specialists, and they have been helpful and supportive and enthusiastic when I’ve reached out to them. They seem to be sincerely invested in helping new users learn and use the app, and have been excited when I’ve emailed them about our little successes. They seem to embrace “everyone deserves a voice” in a much more legitimate way than the plantiff in this case does. (And I don’t work for them, by the way, I just believe in their product and what it can do for kids like Maya.)
Is it possible that SCS/PRC could win this case and keep the Speak for Yourself app alive? Yes . . . but not likely. Is it possible that SCS/PRC could win this case, kill Speak for Yourself, and replace it with their own iPad app? Yes . . . but not likely. Is it possible that SCS/PRC could lose this case, that Speak for Yourself will win and the playing field will be leveled in a kind of amazing way? Yes. Yes it is. And boy, am I hopeful.
For my daughter, the bottom line isn’t about what happens in the courtroom, it’s about what happens to her app. Her iPad, equipped with its special case and Speak for Yourself, is now her communication device. She doesn’t care about who is making the money, or patent law, or big guys vs. little guys . . . she cares about being able to tell me that she wants milk instead of water, or she wants to go to the zoo, or about who she played with at school.
She wants to be able to talk.
And shame on you, PRC, for threatening to take away the closest thing that she’s ever had to a voice.
Maya, proudly holding her "talker"
Author's note: If you're interested in more responses to this story, please see this post, which links the articles and responses that have been published on other sites.
243 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 243 of 243Fix Common HP Printer Issues. ink system failure hp paper jam attention required fuser error hp printer cartridge error Error Code 0xc19a0003 HP 6830 problems with the printhead printer offline
My profiles. Melfm Staffmeup Carsguru Gn2poli Peakprosperity Conorneill Kompasiana Participation Tickaroo
My profiles. Comicspace Chevaljak Neverbroke Cliqafriq Myalbum Veternsforce Sfgforums Riseglobal
Pagewizz Oldforge Newslab Pinkoi Debian Tinkercad Philpeople Theoryandprectice
Runtrip Fleetphoto Supermotors Osallistu Lernenmitfun Brasilcambly Jobsculcut Jobscncf
In general, digital currency exchanges have two types of brokerage and trading market; Each of these two types will نیل have a different performance than the other, and in general, trading in them is different.
Substack Twitlonger Pantip Fundrazr Ameba-profile Linkdata Exchangle Band Scorestream
Greenhomeguide Cgsociety Jigsawplanet Kofi-amy Starnow Audiomack Seqanswers Airsftcanada
Glitch Joomlart Fairmark Worldcosplay Ozbargain Architizer Smashwords
Startupnation Hypothesis Blackhatworld Cakeresume Froont Debate Cutoutandkeep Evilmadscientist Sqlservercentral
Ragezone Debwan Trainsim Royalroad Mixcloud Wpc-hotlog Archdaily Catchthemes Yourememberthat
Bagisto Nairaland Quanticode Esathi Dragondoor Seewhatshow Treffpunktelturn Musicbrainz Vpopwire
به طور کلی، برای جلوگیری ریزش مو ابتدا لازم است به یک دکتر متخصص پوست و مو مراجعه کنید، تا با انجام آزمایش علت ریزش موی شما مشخص شود تا بهترین روش برای درمان ریزش موی شما مشخص شود. https://namnak.com/hair-loss.p77746
DVDVideoSoft Premium Crack With Key 2022 is a super software program for working multi-tasking paperwork. Made less difficult and beneficial software program applications. The software program that we located is less difficult to apply and extra useful for Free Studio has become the film download software. Finally, we have a take a observe the 3-d Photo Maker provided through DVDVideoSoft Crack for an application, which can create 3-d photographs.
Proteus Crack Download is a shocking CAD program organized explicitly for organizers to feasibly hoard and favor circuit sheets! With this thing, you can make complex circuit courses of action. In Addition, strong information, you need a lot of devices to complete your work! With Proteus PCB Design, you can plan a PCB with remarkably requested electrical areas, for example, microcontrollers, chips, and different parts commonly utilized in electrical circuits!
iRender nXt is an Impressive utility with the intention to provide seamless SketchUp integration. The light, similarly to fabric settings, makes it as a substitute easy to render photorealistic snapshots. It maximizes the layout time by protecting all the settings alongside the 3-D model and allowing post-render calculating. Together with IRender nXt, you could create a few tremendous and high-quality effects.
Passport Photo Maker Crack With Serial Key FreeThe scheme consists of diverse sorts of identification, from issuance of lets into donation and Kompakt. It gives an awful lot higher effects and Passport Photo Maker Crack 2022 serial key can be available. System crack code permits you to get your modern-day key functions.
Steganos Privacy Suite Crack With Keygen (Latest) Free Download Steganos Privacy Suite Crack consists of all feasible techniques to encrypt and conceal statistics. This software offers you verbal exchange capabilities which include tracking report changes, complete workplace support, deleting documents without the slightest opportunity of recovery, running with encrypted digital disks, cleansing the registry, cleansing the listing searching out files
DVDVideoSoft Premium Crack With Key 2022 is a super software program for working multi-tasking paperwork. Made less difficult and beneficial software program applications. The software program that we located is less difficult to apply and extra useful for Free Studio has become the film download software. Finally, we have a take a observe the 3-d Photo Maker provided through DVDVideoSoft Crack for an application, which can create 3-d photographs.
Boardgame is known as a board game or brain teaser; But it is also called a board game. Almost any game that is not digital and contains cards, boards, cards, pieces, dice, and so on is called a game board. But have you ever played a game?
https://mobilekomak.com/howto/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C%D9%85/
If you are interested to learn how to activate Roku using Roku.com/link, let me suggest the blog post titled, How to activate Roku. Read the post a few days back. I could find clear guidelines to activate Roku. Spend your free time reading the post to learn Roku.com/link activation guidelines
Also please do not forget to share your feedback after reading. The post can help new Roku users who do not know how to activate roku
simplesite /
simplesite /
simplesite /
simplesite /
simplesite /
simplesite
Nice Post
openstreetmap /
plurk /
fliphtml5 /
fileforum /
domestika
Nice Post
archdaily /
500px /
xero /
divephotoguide /
bibliocrunch /
mixcloud /
The blog is perfect every significant point is well covered here; the blog is really going to be very helpful for the readers you can go to the technicians at Gmail Phone number UK.
this is very nice blog if you wanna play
rashika for fun game
Thanks for Posting Such a Nice blog. wpgio
Amazing post Gameboy Advance Games
Get Smarter Wi-Fi Protection with Smarters VPN – Protect your digital identity and personal information in public Wi-Fi hotspots, keep your browsing activity safe & secure. It includes VPN, password manager, cloud protection, anti-spyware protection, and malware protection. Get Smarters VPN setup on your device now! smarters VPN
Goa Girls Mobile Number
Here at Tow Truck Bel Air MD, we strive to provide a great towing experience, and we do not settle for less.
Towing Service Deerfield Beach FL has a vast variety of services offered, 24/7 emergency assistance and more, it is easy to tell we are in the business of making things easy for you.
Great blog. Keep sharing. foundation-repair-kansas-city
Very helpful information.Visit itsupportraleigh for all types of it services.
Coconut Creek Tow Truck is the answer to all your towing and roadside emergencies. Emergencies are never planned for, and they can end your day prematurely.
Willkommen in der e-Apotheke für intelligente Medikamente. Generisches Modafinil ist von jedem erhältlich.
modafinil kaufen
modafinil
modalert
modvigil
artvigil
waklert
provake
Gratitude for the decent blog. It was exceptionally helpful for me. I'm cheerful that I tracked down this blog. https://penzu.com/p/7be361d0
Powergenx company is full of body fitness products as the milk makes the whey protein.
It consists of all the benefits of whole milk. Milk consists of two parts, one-off casein.
whey protien
Awesome post https://simonucmu041.postach.io/post/the-3-greatest-moments-in-stock-market-business-history
Ready to make a change? Going Fit No Unfit is the perfect starting point! Our selection of different bike models, from sleek Carbon Fibre bikes to electric kicks, and accessories provide you everything necessary for your cycling adventures. Additionally, check out our helpful articles if looking for tips on living a healthy lifestyle!
At Helperji, we specialize in comprehensive cleaning solutions, including professional toilet cleaning services for more details visit - toilet cleaning services near me
We're just talking to ourselves if you've already used Gat Nitraflex Pre Workout and know how great it is. For those who haven't tried our main product Nitraflex yet, we guarantee that the potent formula will make you smile with only one dose.
Assisterji A spotless bathroom is, in my opinion, a haven of purity. These [url=https://www.helperji.in/washroom-cleaning-services]Washroom cleaning services[/url] are like enchanted charms that turn our hallowed places into glittering palaces. Bravo to the enchantresses that keep our thrones spotless.
Thanks for sharing these best details about the Goliath v. David, AAC style, and I like that you have shared the best details for the users who are interested to know more about it. Also, from the Byron Bay Roof Restoration I saw a lot of people are searching for the right ideas that are bringing the solution to us.
Post a Comment