From the Wall Street Journal:

Parents and therapists say the Apple iPad tablet computer is providing an important new way to help kids with speech and communication difficulties. — and one that is both less expensive and more “cool” than anything previously available.

A growing number of speech-related applications, including Proloquo2Go, are being developed for Apple gadgets. Some allow the machines to “speak” on the child’s behalf, while others are used in speech therapy. Experts say the iPad’s universal appeal helps kids with disabilities bridge social gaps that may otherwise separate them from peers.

Unlike specialized speech devices, which cost about $7,000, the iPad generally is not covered by most government and private insurers. iPads cost between $499 and $829.

Earlier posts here.

From the Washington Post Virginia Politics blog, Rosalind Helderman in the Washington Post (with videos),  Politico (with video):

DisAbility Votes, a Northern Virginia political action committee, is calling for an apology from GOP gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell after video captured one one of his surrogates mocking an opponent’s speech impediment at a rally. The National Stuttering Foundation also condemned the campaign attack.

Sheila Johnson, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, criticized state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds as being unable to communicate effectively, mimicking Deeds’ stutter as she did so.

“The other people I talk to, especially his op-op-op-op-op-op-op-op-ponent, di-di-did this all through my interview with him,” Johnson said. “He could not articulate what needed to be done,” Johnson apologized after video of her remarks went viral on the Internet, but McDonnell has declined to do so.

From the New York Times:

People with speech disabilities question why Medicare and private insurers are declining to cover mainstream devices like iPhones and netbook PCs that can help them communicate.

Insurers say coverage is restricted to medical devices, not gadgets that can also be used for nonmedical purposes like playing video games or browsing the Internet. Consequently, they are limiting coverage  to dedicated, proprietary devices that cost 10 to 20 times more and can do far less.

Kara Lynn uses a $300 Apple iPhone 3G running $150 text-to-speech software, which serves her better than the $8,000 Medicare-approved computer that she used previously.

For Ms. Lynn, the iPhone, with the special software, is cheaper, more effective and essential. “Technology has become as important to me as air, food, water,” she wrote.