Why?

How many AAC users get to write without major motor issues limiting their ability to be involved in the writing process???  Dictation is OK, and sometimes the only thing, but when do these students get to create their own paper product???  Are we helping the AAC user to explore their language and develop motor memory on their AAC device when we give them something completely separate to enter text with on the computer (i.e. alternative keyboard)??  How about using their AAC device as the pencil?
 

How?

For DynaVox & DynaMyte, you can use one of the following:
*     DynaBeam (available from DynaVox Systems)
*     Serial Keys
*     AAC Keys

For Pathfinder, Deltatalker, Vanguard & Vantage, you can use one of the following:
*     T-TAM (available from Prentke Romich Company)
*     Serial Keys
*     AAC Keys
 

What is Serial Keys?

If you don’t have access to a DynaBeam or T-TAM, Serial Keys is a free utility that allows the AAC device to act as a keyboard sending text.  It automatically comes in PCs and can be found under Accessibility Options.  For Macs, it can be easily downloaded for free.
 

What is AAC Keys?
If you don’t have access to a DynaBeam or T-TAM, AAC Keys is another free utility that allows the AAC device to act as a keyboard sending text.  It is only for PCs; it works with Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT, & XP.  It can be downloaded from: www.aacinstitute.org

***Important to note that doing a Memory Transfer and Using Serial/AAC Keys are 2 DIFFERENT functions.  Whenever you go to do a Memory Transfer, you MUST turn Serial/AAC Keys off.  While these are two separate functions, you can use the same cable.
 
 

You’ll need a cable to connect the device to the computer. You can use one of the following depending on what kind of port you are plugging in to:
*     DynaVox 4 Cable with adapter
*     DynaVox 9 Cable
*     If using a serial port: RS232C-Female to Female 9 Pin Cable & Null Modem Adapter
       Available at electronics/computer stores.  Radio Shack Cable #26-152B, $12.99, & Null Modem
       Adapter #26-264B, $5.99

Setup Your DynaVox/DynaMyte (Can also refer to DynaVox Knowledge Base!!)

Adjust Settings In Input/Output Device Settings
1.     Go to Setup Menu
2.     Press Input/Output Device Settings
3.     Press Modem Port Button until the a low Baud Rate appears (300-2400 works well.
        select the same rate used on the computer.)
        File Transfer should be set on Y Modem
4.     Press Set File Transfer Port to Serial 1
5.     Turn Serial Port Handshaking OFF
6.     Press OK to get out of Input/Output Device Settings
7.     Press OK to close down Setup Menu

Make an Alternate Output Button
This Alternate Output Button is your on/off button for sending text to the computer.  DynaVox Systems recommends that when you are NOT writing-Alternate Output should be turned OFF.  Go To a Page where student is likely to begin writing from-visually locate a place for a new button.
1.     Go to Setup Menu and Press Edit Page
2.     Select button to edit or draw new one.
3.     Press Modify
4.     Press Change Button Type-Select Command Button
5.     Press Modify Command-Select alternate output
6.     Press OK to close all windows and Save changes

OK-Ready to Write???
1.     With both computer & device OFF, Plug in cables and attach DynaVox/DynaMyte.
2.     Restart computer, with Dynavox/DynaMyte OFF.
3.     Once computer is on, turn DynaVox/DynaMyte ON.
4.     Go to the page with the Alternate Output Button  (You’ll use this button and menu
        to turn on and off the ability to send text.   So this is the ONE thing that you and your
        student would need to do regularly.)
5.     Press Alternate Output
6.     Press Output-When you’re ready to write- Press Serial 1
7.     Press OK and try it!!  Be sure to try it with things in the Message Window.
8.     Press Message Window when ready to send text to the computer.

When You Are Done Writing-Turn Alternate Output OFF
1.     Press Alternate Output
2.     Press Output-When you’re ready to write- Press NONE
3.     Press OK

Other Things to Know About Alternate Output
There are other options in the Alternate Output Window:
Use:  Plus Speech-speaks message upon entry or
Instead of Speech-sends text silently
Send Audio Feedback:  On/Off-sends auditory cues
Send Button Feedback: On/Off-sends button labels-may want that turned off!!!

For the beginning writer, we would suggest the following settings:
Use:    Plus Speech
Audio Feedback: OFF
Button Feedback: OFF

Troubleshooting tip from DynaVox Systems: If you are using the null modem adapter and serial cable and it is NOT working, DynaVox suggests that you orient the cable so that the null modem adapter is plugged into the actual port on the computer.

Important Tip to Know About: When going the poor man’s route, you make some sacrifices.  When sending text using Serial or AAC Keys, the DynaVox/Myte sends the commands: Control + M.  If you are using any software that responds to these commands, sometimes dialog boxes will appear, someone will need to assist and cancel these commands.
 
 

You’ll need a cable to connect the device to the computer. You can use one of the following depending on what port you are plugging into:
*     PRC Memory Transfer Cable
*     If using a serial port: RS232C-Female to Female 9 Pin Cable & Null Modem Adapter
       Available at electronics/computer stores.  Radio Shack Cable #26-152B, $12.99, & Null Modem
       Adapter #26-264B, $5.99

Setup Your PRC Device
Adjust Settings In Toolbox
1.     Go to Toolbox
2.     Press Output Menu Settings
3.     Set RS232 Output to ON
4.     Set OUTPUT Mode to IMMEDIATE
5.     Press Baud Rate until it matches the speed you set on your computer (300 or 1200)
6.     Press OK to get out of the Output menu and close the Toolbox

Important Tip to Know About: Character Pacing - Useful for larger amounts of texts, such as things that have been stored in Notebooks.  This should be ON when sending larger amounts of text.

Teach Students to Setup Their Pencils Independently!
Have them use the TOOLS icon in the activity row to turn Computer Output on/off:
1.     Press the "Choose Activity" key on the keyboard.
2.     Select the "TOOLS" activity from the activity row.
3.     Be sure to turn the Computer Output off when you are finished.
 
 

(The followingsection contains several links that will take you out of the Paradise Valley Unified School District web site and the school/district server should you decide to use them.  The Paradise Valley Unified School District has no responsibility for the content beyond this point.  The Internet is a highly volatile place and pages change suddenly and rapidly.  Because we believe that everyone has the right to exercise personal freedoms, we make no attempt to control or even monitor another person's values or tastes.  It is not unusual to find information or images that are objectionable.  Proceed at your own risk.)

Setting up the PC as Paper

Plan A: AAC Keys on the PC
Download AAC keys from http://www.aacinstitute.org/downloads/aackeys/AACKeys.htm
People have found this much easier to use than Serial Keys.  You can set it so that it is always active at start up.  Note: it is for the PC only.
 

Plan B:  Serial Keys on the PC
1.     Go to Settings, then Control Panel, then Accessibility Options.
2.     Click General and uncheck Automatic Reset-Turn off accessibility features after idle
        (You will pull your hair out if you forget this step!!!)
3.     Check support Serial Keys***
4.     Click Settings
        *     Select which Com Port you are plugged into on the PC
        *     Select the Baud Rate.  (For writing would use lower numbers-make note of it as it needs
               to be the same as on the Dynavox ~300-2400).
5.     Click OK on Settings Window and Click Apply on General Window.
6.     Shutdown computer.

*** If you get a fatal error message or bomb when you do this-it is because you have Windows 95B.  There is a conflict between 95B and Serial Keys.  Not to fear, a Serial Keys Patch can be downloaded to straighten out this conflict with Windows 95B.  It is worth a try!!!! http://trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/win95/vbregfix.htm
 

Setting up the MacIntosh as Paper

The MacIntosh computer does not come with Serial Keys, so it needs to be downloaded.  Updated copies are available for System 7-9.  Versions of Serial Keys are also still available for older Macs.

Serial Keys Download for the MacIntosh Computer
(works for Macs with System 7-9, site says it does not work with 10)
http://trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/mac/sk_soft.html

Serial Keys for MacIntosh Requirements (updated May 2001)
http://trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/mac/macskreq.htm

For older Macs, a serial printer cable can be used.

For newer Macs with USB ports, such as the iMac or G4, a USB to serial adaptor is needed (Keyspan Adaptor).  Note that the Keyspan will only work with OS 8.6 or higher.
 

What Happens When I’ve Done EVERYTHING & It Still Doesn’t Work?

Plan C: Download fresh copies of the utility programs.

Plan D: Frequently Asked Questions about Serial Keys for Mac & PC
http://trace.wisc.edu/docs/quick_sheets/qs32.html

Plan E: Call Tech Support!!!!!!!  It may be helpful to make it clear that you are NOT doing a memory transfer.
 

(Gretchen Hanser MS, OTR/L & Deanna Wagner MS/CCC-SLP, updated 9/2003)