Darryl was awarded a Vantage through the "40 for 40" program. This is from Darryl:

For a number of years I have been searching for a device that would meet all or most of my needs for both a communication and computer accessing device. Within my searching I have looked at your products, especially the Vantage Plus, at local expos and have wished that I could tap into the funds required to purchase one.

I mainly use oral speech for daily communication yet for people who are not familiar with my speech patterns it can be difficult and within the last few years I have realised that I really need a communication device that will support me in my social, educational and professional communication. Often in social situations I have to resort to talking to people by typing short messages on my mobile (cell) phone, which has its limitations as an effective AAC device.

Each year I contact the team at NovitaTech Regency Park, the main supplier of AAC products in South Australia, to ask them if there are any new devices that could improve my communication and computer access. Unfortunately we haven't found a device that matches my needs. The Vantage Plus has been always been a very promising option, however, each time it was considered as a non option due to the limited funding for such a piece of equipment in South Australia.

Now, I am studying for my Bachelor of Computer and Information Science degree at UniSA. I remain actively involved in my local church (Adelaide West Uniting Church) and serve on the Board of the Community Accommodation and Respite Agency (CARA), an agency that offers services to people with severe disabilities and their families. Earlier this year, I was appointed to the board of the Australian Communication Exchange Limited, which is a not-for-profit Australian organisation dedicated to empowering those who are Deaf or have a hearing, speech or communication impairment, to obtain access to the telephone and other telecommunication networks.

Since 1990, I have worked as a database development consultant and computer programmer, primarily through my own home based business, Sellwood Software. My work has included developing databases for a variety of small businesses and community agencies.

I use an electric wheelchair to get around and, while it can take some time to understand my speech, anyone who is willing to take the time soon discovers that I am a fun-loving, intelligent and caring person, with a slightly twisted sense of humour, who is determined not to allow my disability, cerebral palsy, to rule my life.

Born in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1970, most of my childhood was spent at Regency Park Centre, a school and residence for children with disabilities. I attended the local High School and subsequently completed a number of computer and information technology courses through TAFE College.

My first AAC was a communication pointing board with approximately a hundred symbols, I used between the ages of seven and eleven. For a short period I had a Canon Communicator and during high school and early adulthood used to have a RealVoice. All these did assist to a small degree yet had their limitations due to their bulky size, limited vocabulary, lack of speed and spontaneity.

Socially, to be able to communicate freely in my varied social circles is a high priority. I enjoy meeting and chatting with people at parties, church and at music events. This can be extremely difficult when there is excessive background noise and I am often left frustrated unable to engage in intelligent or frivolous conversation.

To me university is more than an education; it is about communicating and forming relationships with fellow students. My speech difficulty makes participating in academic discussions with fellow students, lecturers and tutors extremely challenging for all. It is most frustrating to know the answer to the problem of a fellow student and not be able to explain it to them due to the time and effort required for them to understand my speech. Having a Vantage Plus at university will certainly give me greater independence, improve participation in academic discussions and support me in networking.

As I get closer to completion of my degree I am starting to explore employment opportunities and it will be important to have a spontaneous form of communication. In my future workplaces I will be faced with many communication challenges. The Vantage Plus will assist to overcome many of these challenges, plus providing an up to date method of accessing computers at university, in future workplaces and home.

With the features such as Minspeak® to significantly speed up my writing and communications, the dynamic keyboard layout that will enable me to make changes and add new layouts, for example a layout of Java or C++ syntax commands, the USB connection allowing easy portability between workstations without requiring additional software and the non intrusive size of the unit, which could be used resting my arm on the side of my chair, makes the Vantage Plus an ideal AAC device for me. I can envisage that by employing Bluetooth technology this could further increase the Vantage Plus's portability between technologies and workstations, thus further enhancing my independence.

Shortly after receiving this "baby" a number of people asked what was I going to name it. I'm not one to give things I own names, like people name their cars. After being asked the same question over a few days I decided to name it - Aaron - as in Moses' brother. In the Old Testament God told Moses to use Aaron as his communicator because Moses had a speech impairment of some kind. Who knows I might lead a nation for God some day - move over Johnny (John Howard, Primer Minister of Australia)! No, like Moses, that's one job I wouldn't want.

In receiving my Vantage Plus, it has already had a huge impact to my life socially, educationally and professionally. Thank you Prentke Romich Company for assisting me in opening exciting new opportunities and experiences!

Darryl Sellwood