Unity Vantage Lite User Manual

Vantage Lite™ Unity®

Vantage Lite Unity Manual

14762

Vantage Lite, ECO, Vantage, Vanguard II, Vanguard, Pathfinder, SpringBoard, Language Activity Monitor
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Non-English text-to-speech supplied by the Acapela Group and RealSpeak Text-to-Speech, a product of
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Computer access pages for Kurzweil, WYNN, TestTalker, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Outlook created by
Brian Simms, M.A. CCC-SLP, Augmentative Communication Specialist, Colorado Therapy Associates

WYNN and TestTalker are trademarks of Freedom Scientific, Inc. Kurzweil 3000 is a trademark of Kurzweil
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©2008

October, 2008

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2

Vantage Lite Unity Table of Contents

Introduction to Unity .................................................................................... 5

Unity Definitions/ Organization ..................................................................................... 6

Navigation and Tools .................................................................................................. 7

Unity Basic Patterns ........................................................................................................ 8

Unity Pattern 1 – Category Icon + Grammar Ending ................................................. 9

Unity Pattern 2 – Pronouns ....................................................................................... 10

Unity Pattern 3 – Pronoun/ Verb Phrases ................................................................. 10

Unity Pattern 3 – Pronoun/ Verb Phrases ................................................................. 11

Unity Pattern 4 – Nouns ............................................................................................ 12

Unity Pattern 5 – Grammar Icon + Icon = Interjections, Determiners, Conjunctions,

Preposition, Question Words, and Adverbs not ending in –ly ................................. 13

Unity Pattern 5 (continued) ....................................................................................... 14

Unity Pattern 5 (continued) ....................................................................................... 15

Single Hit Words ....................................................................................................... 16

Indefinite Pronouns ................................................................................................... 16

Whole sentences ........................................................................................................ 16

Sentences in the Activity Row .................................................................................. 17

Jokes and Songs ........................................................................................................ 17

Numbers .................................................................................................................... 17

Unity Tools for Getting Started .................................................................................... 18

Exploration Wizard ................................................................................................... 18

Teaching Pages ......................................................................................................... 19

Context Scenes .......................................................................................................... 19

Icon Tutor .................................................................................................................. 20

Vocabulary Builder ................................................................................................... 20

Unity Programs in Vantage Lite ................................................................................... 21

45 Locations .............................................................................................................. 21

60 Locations .............................................................................................................. 22

84 Locations .............................................................................................................. 23

Unity Progression – or “Where do I start?” .............................................................. 23

Implementing the Unity Language System .............................................. 24

Hide and Show Keys ................................................................................................. 25

Customize with the Setup Key .................................................................................. 25

Practice Talking ........................................................................................................ 26

Activity Rows ........................................................................................................... 27

Pages in Unity 60 1-Hit ............................................................................................. 28

Pages in Unity 60 1-Hit (continued) ......................................................................... 29

Icon Rationales .......................................................................................................... 30

Directory of Features in Unity 60 1-Hit .................................................................... 35

Special Instructions ..................................................................................... 36

Vocabulary Builder in Vantage Lite ............................................................................. 36

Basic Principles ......................................................................................................... 36

Using Vocabulary Builder ........................................................................................ 37

3

Select Vocabulary to Hide/Show… .......................................................................... 37

Show/ Show All ........................................................................................................ 37

Hide/ Hide All ........................................................................................................... 37

Use Word Lists. ........................................................................................................ 38

Load List ................................................................................................................... 38

Merge List ................................................................................................................. 38

Delete List ................................................................................................................. 38

Backup List ............................................................................................................... 38

Use Sequence Lists ................................................................................................... 39

Save Mask Info ......................................................................................................... 40

Import New Lists ...................................................................................................... 40

Turn Builder Off ....................................................................................................... 40

Missing Words in Unity ............................................................................................ 40

A Final Comment on Text Files ................................................................................ 41

Computer Access Activity Rows and Pages ................................................................. 42

Set up computer access in the Output Menu ............................................................. 42

Education software pages: Set-up instructions ............................................................. 48

Outlook Express ........................................................................................................ 48

Microsoft Word ......................................................................................................... 49

TestTalker ................................................................................................................. 49

WYNN ...................................................................................................................... 50

Kurzweil 3000 ........................................................................................................... 50

Education Software Tech Notes by Brian Simms ......................................................... 51

Outlook Express ........................................................................................................ 51

TestTalker ................................................................................................................. 51

WYNN ...................................................................................................................... 51

Kurzweil .................................................................................................................... 51

Vantage Lite Smart Chart ......................................................................... 52

4

Introduction to Unity

Unity is a language representation system created to both follow and enable the typical

language development process. From single words and short phrases to longer,
grammatically correct sentences, people can progress through the stages of language
development using Unity to achieve their full communication potential.

• The Unity system uses a small set of easy-to-recognize icons combined in short

sequences to produce words, phrases, and sentences.

• With a Unity system, children can begin to communicate before they can read.

• In a Unity system, the locations of the icons remain fixed, allowing motor

patterns to develop for frequently used words and phrases.

• Unity is the only language system in AAC that takes advantage of motor
learning to increase rate of communication and reduce cognitive effort.

• Unity systems focus on frequently used words. Research has shown that about

400 frequently used words make up more than 75% of our speech (regardless of
age, gender, or background).

• Unity programs take advantage of this set of core words, providing short

sequences of two or three icons to produce them.

• With the Unity language system, people can choose to say their own thoughts in

their own words, and do not have to depend on the messages that other people
store for them.

• The Unity programs in Vantage Lite combine all three language access methods:
single-meaning pictures, spelling with word prediction, and semantic
compaction (Unity icon sequences).

5

Unity Definitions/ Organization

To start understanding Unity, we will begin by looking at Unity 60 1-hit. The same
principles can be applied to 45 1-hit or 84 1-hit.

Row 1 is the main activity row.

• Activity rows contain vocabulary specific to certain situations.

• Some keys in the main activity row do not open other activities. These keys are tools.

There are two tools in row 1—the choose ACTIVITY key at the beginning, and the
PAGES key at the end. The rest of the top row keys open activities.

Rows 2 through 5 contain core words.

• Core words are words that people of all ages use frequently across situations and

environments.

• Each core word in the 1-hit Unity versions requires only one keystroke.

Tools in core:

• The second Mother Hubbard key is a plural tool and adds “s” to any word on the

display.

• The NUMBERS key opens a page of numbers

• The CLEAR key at the bottom left is for clearing your display.

Color coding

• Yellow = pronouns

• Green = verbs

• Light Green outline = verb endings

• Orange = category nouns

• Blue = adjectives

• Light Blue outline = a link to a page or activity row

6

Navigation and Tools

Keys in core are linked to a dynamic activity row. Each dynamic activity has a blue “GO
BACK” arrow at the left. This key closes the row so you go back to the activity that was
open before.

 Note: The blue GO BACK arrow works with Dynamic Activities set on Temporary

(This is done via the Dynamic Activities Menu in the Toolbox). If you set your Dynamic
Activities on permanent, you will use CHOOSE ACTIVITY (#1 user defined key or OBJ
+ OBJ to return to the main Activity Row).

If you select the apple , you see:

Select the Go Back arrow to return to the main Activity Row.

When you open the YES/NO row , you see tools for spelling, punctuation, and delete
word.

When you select the Pages key , you open the Pages page. This page contains links to
selected pages in Unity 60 1-hit.

The key that is hidden is a link to the notebooks page. To show the notebook key, follow
the instructions for hiding/ showing keys later in this manual.

7

Unity Basic Patterns

While 1-hit Unity can be simple for caregivers, many device users find that the
vocabulary in these areas is too limiting. In 1-hit versions, you can say “eat” but not
“food.” You can say “sleep” but not “tired.” Additionally, the dynamic activity rows are
purposefully set up with a limited amount of vocabulary, as it is geared towards early
communicators. If you find that you are adding a great deal of vocabulary to the 1-hit
versions, you probably need to use a sequenced version.

The following section will describe some of the basic patterns in sequenced versions of
Unity. Although the examples are taken from Unity 60 Sequenced, after you learn the
patterns, they are easily applied to the other versions of Unity. Memorizing a pattern
helps you learn new words without memorizing individual sequences.

 Note: For suggestions on decreasing the amount of vocabulary in 1-hit versions, and

for adding specialized vocabulary, please see the section titled “Implementing the Unity
Language System.”

If you are using Unity 45 Sequenced, you will notice some alterations from previous
Unity versions (e.g., Unity 45 Full in Vantage Plus). This was done to conserve space,
save keystrokes, and to simplify the word choices.

8

Unity Pattern 1 – Category Icon + Grammar Ending

Embellished icons OFF** Embellished icons ON**

eat

food

hungrily

hungry

Verbs are action words. They end with Mr. Action Man. He is working,

whistling, carrying a bucket, and walking. He shows many actions.

Category nouns end with Mother Hubbard. She is a person, her cupboard is a

place, and there is a thing in the cupboard.

eat

food

hungrily

hungry

Adverbs that end in –ly use the Adverb icon as an ending. The airplane is

carrying a banner with the –ly ending.

Adjectives end with the paintbrush because a painting describes something.

** If you have Embellished Icons turned on in the Feedback Menu, you will see a
concrete picture of the word at the ending icon instead of the grammar icons described.

9

Unity Pattern 2 – Pronouns
Pronouns are color coded yellow. They are always on the left two columns.

Subject Pronouns = Two hits on the same pronoun key
I, you, it, she, he, we, they

Object Pronouns = Pronoun + Object icon
me, you, it, her, him, us, them

Possessive Adjectives = Pronoun + Possessive icon

my, your, its, her, his, our, them

Possessive Pronouns = Possessive icon

+ Pronoun

mine, your, its, hers, his, ours, theirs

Reflexive Pronouns = Object icon + Pronoun

myself, yourself, itself, herself, himself, ourselves, themselves

Unity Pattern 3 – Pronoun/ Verb Phrases

(a) A pronoun + category icon = Declarative Phrase

I hope I did
I had I do
I wish I’m going

I was I could
I love I think
I like I am
I have I know
I feel I need
I will I can
I would
I want

10

Unity Pattern 3 – Pronoun/ Verb Phrases

(b) A Pronoun + Knot + category icon = Negative Phrase

I don’t hope
I didn’t have
I don’t wish
I wasn’t
I don’t love
I don’t like
I haven’t
I don’t feel
I won’t
I shouldn’t
I don’t like

I didn’t, I don’t, I’m not going, I couldn’t, I don’t think, I’m not, I don’t know, I don’t
need, I can’t, I wouldn’t

(c) A category icon + a pronoun = Question Phrase

Example: SUN + I = Do I like

(d) A category icon + KNOT + pronoun = Negative Question Phrase

Example: SUN + KNOT + I = Don’t I like

11

Unity Pattern 4 – Nouns

(a) Category nouns = Category Icon + Noun ending - as in Unity pattern 1.

(b) Other nouns = Category icon + Activity Row

.

The POSSESSIVE icon shows a name tag and a suit. The name tag

represents names of people, and the suit represents items of clothing. The
first hit on this key brings up names in the activity row. The second hit on POSSESSIVE
shows clothing.

Each of
these icons
is related to
a set of
words in
activity
rows

When you select the
APPLE icon, the
activity row changes
to sub-categories of
different kinds of
food. Specific foods
are located within
each of these
activities.

12

Unity Pattern 5 – Grammar Icon + Icon = Interjections, Determiners, Conjunctions,
Preposition, Question Words, and Adverbs not ending in –ly

Interjections (Interjections pop into conversation just like fireworks)

let’s, thank you,
oops, you’re
welcome, well,
okay, excuse me,
sure, fine, awesome,
congratulations, ha
ha ha, ouch, maybe,
sorry, very good, all
done, please,
Bingo!, hi, all gone,
hello, good
morning, surprise,
Yuk!, yum, goodbye,
cool, yikes, good
night.

Determiners (The wizard is pointing to that/ those/ these, etc.)

the, that, a, an,
that’s, these, each,
all, this, these, none,
enough

13

Unity Pattern 5 (continued)

Conjunctions (Conjunctions join sentences, like the trains are joined
together.)

and, if, both, than, or,
because, until, but

Prepositions (The cloud can go over/ under/ through the bridge.)

top, middle, bottom,
before, after, behind,
from, beside, under,
for, at, inside, into, by,
about, on, between,
around, in front of, up,
outside, over, out, off,
with, without, through,
down, of, upside
down, in, underneath

14

Unity Pattern 5 (continued)

Question Words

why, which, how
many, how much, how
old, how, who, when,
where, what

Adverbs (Many adverbs end in –ly.)

ever, away, ready,
forward, just, so,
even, too, also, as,
today, much, once,
very, always, never,
still, together, here,
indoors, when,
outdoors,
backwards, there,
almost, again, else,
yet

15

Single Hit Words

These are frequently used words that can be accessed quickly with just one icon.

a, is, were, was, to,
an, the

Indefinite Pronouns

In Unity 45 and Unity 60 indefinite pronouns (e.g., anywhere, anytime, somewhere,

sometime) begin with the Determiner icon. Select any/ every/ some/ no on the
activity row and then complete the word with the options shown.

In Unity 84

Start with End with

A – any

E – every

time

body

S—some how

N—no

more

one

thing

way

what

where

Whole sentences

There are many whole sentences stored in each Unity program. They begin with the

Sentence icon. in Unity 45 and 60 and in Unity 84.

16

Sentences in the Activity Row

The top row of each Unity program is called the activity row. There are whole sentences
stored in the GREETING, ME, and HAVE FUN rows.

Jokes and Songs

Jokes begin with the Sun icon.

Songs are found in the HAVE FUN activity row. There is also a song page linked to the
PAGES page.

Numbers

A numbers page is linked to the Number/Adjective icon .

There is a number dynamic activity row linked to the Conjunction icon.

1) Category icon + Grammar icon = verbs, category nouns,

adjectives and adverbs

2) Pronouns

3) Pronoun/Verb Phrases

4) Nouns in dynamic activity rows

Unity Basic Patterns Summary

5) Grammar icon + category icon = interjections, determiners,

conjunctions, prepositions, question words, and adverbs that
do not end in -ly

17