I spent quite a bit of time with Jason Dean Neeland with LS&S. If you don't know LS&S, they are a great company for AT. He showed me a few products LS&S carries that are just real serious AT bargains. So what kind of host would I be if I didn't bring you all info on those items?
The first thing he showed me was the Recordable Talking Alarm Clock-Pill Reminder. He called the unit the "Medi-Minder," but you can find it on their website and in their catalog as the recordable talking alarm clock-pill reminder. This is one slick clock.
The voice on the clock is also nice and clear. It's a female voice (male voice isn't available), so if that works for you, you're set. The great thing about this clock is that it has 6 different alarms you can set. You can use these for medication times, timed prompts for activities, or whatever you want. Along with the alarms, you can record personalized, individualized messages for each alarm. So you could have a personalized alarm that reminds you to take a particular medicine at a particular time or perform a particular task at a given time. The unit is highly portable so you can take it anywhere. The unit takes batteries, but it also can use an AC adapter so it can be plugged into the wall for power. This AT bargain is a steal at $39.95 (shipping not included). If you want the AC adapter, it will cost you an additional $5.95. After having a chance to check out and play with this baby, I highly recommend it if you're in the market for a talking clock with multiple alarms. You can order the unit from LS&S.
The next nifty gadget Jason showed me was Wilson. No not a volleyball with a hand print on it, but its namesake. The Wilson is a personal voice recorder. It has two-and-a half or five hours of recording/playback time. Yes, you can double the recording time by simply flipping a switch. It's just that easy. Why the choice? It's a matter of recording quality. If you want a higher quality recording, go with the 2.5 hour setting. Need less quality but more time? The 5 hour setting is for you.
Another nifty thing about this device is that it has a very simple interface. There's only three buttons for the controls (besides the recording time, but since that's a switch not a button, we won't count it)-- one for recording messages, one for playing and pausing messages, and one for deleting messages. That's it. So if you're usually lost in the sea of buttons on most recorders, this may be one for you. It even offers a USB port so you can connect Wilson to the computer and save your messages. At only $36.95 (shipping not included), it's a pretty neat little bargain.
Conferences are usually good places to go to find show specials and other bargains, especially if exhibit hall is open free to the public. In the exhibit halls, you can test drive much of the latest and greatest in assistive technology. While not everything is $100 or less, it's still a great place to check out lots of AT, especially if you haven't seen a lot before.
If you're in the San Diego area next year and you have some time, make a point to attend the CSUN International Conference on Disability. You'll be glad you did. And while you're there, make sure you stop in and try the ribs and chicken at Phil's BBQ in Point Loma.
Bring your appetite because the eats are incredible!
The next nifty gadget Jason showed me was Wilson. No not a volleyball with a hand print on it, but its namesake. The Wilson is a personal voice recorder. It has two-and-a half or five hours of recording/playback time. Yes, you can double the recording time by simply flipping a switch. It's just that easy. Why the choice? It's a matter of recording quality. If you want a higher quality recording, go with the 2.5 hour setting. Need less quality but more time? The 5 hour setting is for you.
Another nifty thing about this device is that it has a very simple interface. There's only three buttons for the controls (besides the recording time, but since that's a switch not a button, we won't count it)-- one for recording messages, one for playing and pausing messages, and one for deleting messages. That's it. So if you're usually lost in the sea of buttons on most recorders, this may be one for you. It even offers a USB port so you can connect Wilson to the computer and save your messages. At only $36.95 (shipping not included), it's a pretty neat little bargain.
Conferences are usually good places to go to find show specials and other bargains, especially if exhibit hall is open free to the public. In the exhibit halls, you can test drive much of the latest and greatest in assistive technology. While not everything is $100 or less, it's still a great place to check out lots of AT, especially if you haven't seen a lot before.
Bring your appetite because the eats are incredible!
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