Meet Michael

This is Michael.  He is the primary inspiration for Digital Voice Technologies' MV-1000.

Michael's story began when he was just eighteen months old and his mom began to notice some developmental delays.  His speech did not develop, his eye contact dissipated, and he began to line up toys almost obsessively.  He also began developing what some people would consider odd behaviors, such as humming loudly and flapping his hands.  Michael is autistic. 

Through the years, Michael's speech has never developed, and to this day, he is nonverbal.  What some children learn in five minutes could take Michael months to master, if at all.  Michael is now twelve years old and is in a fantastic autistic support program.  He is understanding more and more but at a painstakingly slow pace.  The one thing that frustrates Michael's mother more than anything is his inability to communicate, to her and others, his wants and needs.  He had a picture communication board (flip book) that he used in class and at home.  He also had a speaking device that he brought back and forth to school, but it was heavy, bulky, and complex to use and customize.   

Which brings us to today.  Michael's mom wanted a device that was completely portable, affordable, and easy to use.  Simple picture software that is easy to navigate by using a minimal amount of general prompts to help Michael 'speak'.  She wanted something that Michael could put in his pocket and use conveniently anywhere - the park, the grocery store, or out to dinner.  She was looking for an inexpensive, portable alternative to the other communication devices on the market.  Hence, the idea for MV-1000 was born.

While discussing what she really wanted in an augmentative and alternative communication device for Michael she also discovered that she was looking for a device that was easy to use.  Not only for Michael, but for her as well.  She wanted to be able to easily customize the device for Michael's specific needs.  She did not want to rely on anyone else to do this.  She wanted to be able to quickly and easily customize the device by herself - without any extra fees needing to be charged to the customer. 

In addition, it was the hope of Michael's mother that by making MV-1000 affordable, it would allow children to obtain communication devices more quickly than Michael had.   Due to funding issues, it took Michael almost 3 years to obtain his first communication device.  It is our position that communication devices should be easily obtainable and affordable to parents of autistic children and children with special needs.   

In closing, the MV-1000 is more than just and augmentative and alternative communication device to Digital Voice Technologies, it's personal.  We wanted Michael as well as other autistic children and children with special needs to have an affordable and easily obtainable alternative solution.  We feel confident that we have accomplished this goal and are proud to be able to share this achievement with you and your child with special needs.

Thank you,

Digital Voice Technologies Family