About PRC | Our History | Quality Commitment | News & Awards

Over 40 years of AAC Leadership

Our mission started in 1964 when Barry Romich, a freshman engineering student, met Ed Prentke, an engineer at Highland View Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Partnership papers were drawn up and Prentke Romich Company was formed in 1966. In 1969, we produced our first communication device, a typing system based on a discarded Teletype machine.

We began working with Bruce Baker in 1981. Bruce introduced Minspeak, a new concept for coding vocabulary in communication devices. The first Minspeak system (Minspeak 1) was introduced in 1982. The TouchTalker and LightTalker were developed in 1984 and retired more than 10 years later. The Liberator was introduced in 1991 and also retired 10 years later.

In 1995, strategies for standardizing the vocabulary evolved through the development of Unity. This is now the foundation for vocabulary in all of our products.

In the year 2000, Prentke Romich Company remained the leader in providing augmentative and alternative communication systems by releasing Pathfinder, which features a static keyboard plus a color dynamic display for a new generation of augmentative communication solutions. In 2001, PRC continued to meet the challenge with the release of Vantage bringing a dynamic choice for powerful language and portable design. The enhanced operating system makes Vantage easy to customize and support. SpringBoard was introduced in 2002 as our most versatile and easy to implement device featuring the same dependable operating system as Vantage.

In 2003, the newly re-designed Vanguard II was released featuring synthesized and digitized speech, computer emulation, infrared environmental controls, and an integrated headpointing system making the device an excellent option for both children beginning with AAC and adults with acquired disabilities.

The Pathfinder, Vanguard, Vantage and SpringBoard "Plus" product upgrades, announced in 2004, added integrated headpointing across the entire AAC product line and also added many new features and vocabulary enhancements to each of the products.

In 2007, ECO-14 was introduced by PRC as a new generation of AAC device that combines advanced communicating and robust computing in a single device. Also in 2007, we initiated our LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) training offer. LAMP is a new seminar on AAC strategies for promoting the development of communication for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. LAMP trainings continue to be our most popular training offer.

In 2008, we continue to advance technology with the release of a lighter and more portable SpringBoard, the SpringBoard Lite. PRC continues to be committed to offering the highest customer-driven and quality-focused technology in both dedicated and integrated AAC products. The new Vantage Lite is compact, rugged, portable, and as do all PRC devices, it comes equipped with the most power language system available, Unity®. Read more about Unity and our other powerful language options...

About PRC | Our History | Quality Commitment | News & Awards