Beth Christensen, SLP
My name is Beth Christensen and I am a Speech/Language Pathologist who has worked in the area of AAC (Augmentative and Alternate Communication) for over 22 years. This summer I signed on to be a Voice Bank Summer Ambassador for VocalID. VocalID and Rupal Patel have found a way to merge a donated voice with the vocalizations of a person who uses a communication device to make a unique voice for that user. Our voice is part of who we are and everyone deserves to have a voice that sounds just like they do. Currently, communication devices have many voices to choose from, but they do not always match the individual. I have been to conferences and have had conversations where two or more individuals were using the SAME voice.
I am in search of voices. Voices of young people and old (and everything in between), tall and short, thick and thin, with and without accents. Please help me add to my voice drive and help this technology grow.
How does it work? When you send me your email address, I will invite you to my drive. You can sit at home on your computer and bank your voice bits at a time. A Windows-based computer with a USB headset with microphone is best. Record all of the sounds in speech in a lot of different ways. It will take up to 6 hours, but when you are finished, you will have given a gift that is priceless. You will have given a donated voice that can be matched with a user’s voice to help them communicate with a voice all their own. These donations are happening all over the world. You can be a part of something HUGE. It sounds like a long time, but believe me when I say it is well worth it.
When you are finished, you will get a service certificate for your donation. Do you have friends who can donate their voices and a little bit of their time? Would their kids be able to donate? All it takes is an email address and some love. Please share this info with your friends and family. I look forward to being crushed with emails. Love
Thank you ahead of time, Beth Christensen (Summer 2016 VocalID Ambassador) Easc.slp@gmail.com
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