Adaptive Alarm Clocks

For those of us who use assistive technology,being prepared can mean anything from finding a one-handed or Braille keyboard, to locating a voice recognition program that reads text or types spoken language, to outfitting a power wheelchair with a puff and sip device. For most of us though, prepared also means having a reliable alarm clock!

People with visual or auditory impairments need adapted alarm clocks—those that either speak the correct time, use ultra-loud volume, vibrate, or flash strobe lights, because a typical buzzer just won't cut it. Below are two new adapted alarm clocks that will keep everyone on track this fall.

Voice Mate ™- for people with blindness or a visual impairment. For those of us with impaired vision, a new talking alarm clock from Paris, France-Parrot S. A—offers many useful features. Not only is the Voice Mate a talking alarm clock, it's a vocal telephone and speed dialer, a voice recognition telephone book, meeting planner, voice pad, talking calculator, PC link for storing data and updating software, a dialing assistant, and a control panel.

The handheld device offers 40 minutes of recording time and nonvolatile flash memory. Four AAA batteries are included to power the Voice Mate and it comes with a headset. The Voice Mate could be just the tool for a blind student/instructor, or even to assist the person who can't find his or her eyeglasses in the morning. Talking devices are also helpful to persons with limited mobility who are not in reach of an object. The Voice Mate costs about $259.00. Visit the company's Web site (listed below) for details and ordering information.

Parrot S. A.
28 rue Meslay
Paris, France 75003
Telephone: 33 1 44 78 81 10
Fax: 33 1 48 87 87 34
E-mail: mohamed.saighe@parrot.fr.
Web site: www.voice-assistant.com

Sonic Boom™- for people with deafness or a hearing impairment. The Sonic Boom alarm clock made by Sonic Alert, Inc., is guaranteed to wake up even the heaviest sleepers. When the alarm goes off, the user can select to wake up to any combination of loud pulsating audio alarm, flashing lights, or shaking bed (vibrator sold separately). A vibrator placed under a pillow or between the box screen and mattress produces a steady or pulsating vibration pattern that is very effective. Sonic Boom is a versatile device because the volume and tone controls are adjustable, for the best sound combination to wake up to.

The clock display viewing angle adjusts and has large, bright, green light emitting diode (LED) numbers that are easier to see in the dark. A battery back up activates during a power outage. The Sonic Boom has a built-in receiver that picks up transmissions from multiple Sonic Alert signalers. Receivers eliminate the need for separate signalers in a bedroom, such as those for baby's cry, doorbell or telephone. A test button allows users to try out combinations of flashing lights, shaking bed, or loud pulsating audio alarm to choose which works best.

Sonic Alert, Inc.
1050 East Maple Rd.
Troy, MI 48083
(248) 577-5400 TDD/Voice
(248) 577-5433 Fax
E-mail:sonic-info@sonicalert.com
Web site:http://www.sonicalert.com/

Sonic Alert manufactures telephone and doorbell signalers, baby crying signalers, adapted alarm clocks, receivers, and a new call-waiting signaler.

Resource:
Hitec Group International
8160 Madison Avenue
Burr Ridge, Illinois 60521

(800) 288-8303 voice (toll-free)
(630) 654-9200 voice
(888) 654-9219 fax
(800) 536-8890 TTY
http://www.hitec.com

Hitec Group International distributes a diverse selection of communication products and other assistive technology devices for people with speech, visual, auditory and mobility impairments.

Note: Infinitec Inc. does not endorse or recommend this product and has no liability for the results of its use. Infinitec Inc. has not received compensation of any type for featuring this product on this Web site. The information offered herein is a summary; it is not comprehensive and should be carefully evaluated by consumers with the assistance of qualified professionals. The intention of Infinitec Inc. is to offer consumers a brief overview of various assistive technology devices and their applications.