Illinois Work Incentive Grant
Assistive Technology Support Site

Home

Aurora


Model: Aurora 3.0 for Windows (http://www.aurora-systems.com/standard/whatis.html)
Manufacturer: Aurora Systems (http://www.aurora-systems.com)
Price: $495
For: Job seekers with learning disabilities
To: Type and spell on a computer

Description:

Aurora for Windows consists of three programs:

  • Aurora Prediction — designed to speed typing and improve accuracy by guessing and suggesting words as a user types; when a desired word appears in Aurora's Prediction list, the user can select it by typing the corresponding number, reducing the number of keystrokes needed to enter most words and phrases.
  • Aurora Echo — reads back words as they are typed, assisting people with reading disabilities to hear what they are writing and check for mistakes.
  • Aurora Talk — a speech synthesis program designed to speak for individuals who cannot speak

Aurora Prediction and Echo are probably most likely to be of use in a One Stop Resource Room.

Tips:

Activating Prediction

Aurora Prediction will automatically activate itself for common programs such as Microsoft Word. To activate Prediction in other programs:

  1. Start the program
  2. Right click Aurora Prediction window
  3. Select Activate Window
  4. Click Yes
  5. Click in the editing area of your program

Customizing the Prediction Window

It is possible to change the size, spacing, and number of choices in Aurora's Prediction window. It may be helpful to reduce the number of choices in the Prediction to make it quicker to scan the list and identify the desired word (6 - 9 words is usually adequate). To change this and related settings:

  1. Right click in the Aurora Prediction window
  2. Select the More tab
  3. Change the number in the Words in Window field
  4. Change the line spacing to One and a Half Spaced
  5. Select the Window tab
  6. Uncheck Show Homonyms
  7. Click the Font button to change font face and size
  8. Click OK

Typing Numbers

You cannot type numbers while Aurora Prediction is active (the number keys are used to select words from the prediction list). To type a number, temporarily disable Aurora by typing 0 (zero); To turn prediction back on, type ;0 (semicolon, zero).

Reference:

Questions