老司机直播

Tyler Austin is one of the users of the TalkRocketGo app, from 老司机直播 startup MyVoice

老司机直播 startup, Ontario government give people a voice

Cerebral palsy has always affected Tyler Austin鈥檚 abilities to communicate and interact with others. But TalkRocket Go, an app from University of Toronto startup , aims to change all that.

And the Ontario government wants to help.

鈥淭alkRocket Go helps kids and adults with speech disabilities communicate out loud using an iPad or iPod Touch,鈥 says Alex Levy, MyVoice chief executive officer and lead designer. 鈥淔or someone with cerebral palsy, aphasia, or autism, TalkRocket Go can be a gateway to education, employment, social life, and the simple joy of conversation.鈥

Eric and Pam Austin, Tyler鈥檚 parents, say their son learned to use the app quickly.

鈥淏y using this app in his everyday activities, he has gained a new sense of independence,鈥 says Pam Austin. 鈥淭his summer, Tyler was able to speak directly to counsellors and fellow campers at sleepover camp. He was able to participate in more activities than ever before.鈥

Tony Gross, MyVoice community director, recalls Austin鈥檚 first encounter with the application.

鈥淲ithin 20 minutes he was able to order his mother her favourite coffee at Tim Horton鈥檚 in a local rehab centre,鈥 says Gross.

鈥淛ust like a typical person with no disabilities, Tyler surpassed my skills with the iPad in no time; I was both embarrassed and bursting with pride at the same time.鈥

The app can be purchased on for $99.99. However, the Ontario Ministry of Health's Assistive Devices Program  will now fund 75 per cent of the cost of a prescribed iPad or iPod Touch installed with the TalkRocket Go app.

鈥淎lthough TalkRocket Go is already used by thousands of Ontarians with speech disabilities, this new funding will help make the app available to thousands of more families, especially those with limited incomes,鈥 says Levy, who graduated from 老司机直播鈥檚 specialist program in political science in 2010.

鈥淢y husband faces communication challenges as a result of a stroke,鈥 says Bonni Scott, whose husband was diagnosed with aphasia. 鈥淭alkRocket Go is the best aid we have found to help him be more comfortable and successful in communicating.鈥

MyVoice is proving to be a leader in the ongoing movement towards innovative technologies for people with speech disabilities, says Levy, adding the new provincial funding is a great vote of confidence.

鈥淥ur products began life as a little research prototype in the Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab (TAGLab),鈥 recalls Levy. 鈥淢any of the technologies we developed there are still fundamental parts of our commercial products today.

鈥溊纤净辈 has been an incredible supporter along the entire journey.鈥

To access the benefits of the new funding, families must first seek an assessment at one of 26 qualified clinics throughout Ontario.

Gavin Au-Yeung is a writer with University Relations at the University of Toronto.
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