A recent significant milestone: 50 new laptop computers featuring synthetic speech platforms were delivered to Ezer Mizion's VOCA (Voice Output Communication Aids) Lending Center. In the next few days, the computers will be lent out to people with communication impairments. These state-of-the-art speech generating devices will expand the augmentative communication options available to special needs populations. The modern, up-to-date equipment, purchased with the support of the National Insurance Institute's fund for the development of services for the handicapped, will do much to improve the quality of life for people who have what to say but can not speak.

Yonit Hagoel-Karnieli, director of the VOCA Lending Center in Ezer Mizion said: "VOCA devices are geared for people who are unable to express themselves due to a neurological defect, illness or accident. These people want to express themselves and have much to say, but are unable to convert their thoughts and inner feelings into speech and communication with those around them. Causes of the problem are varied and can stem from road or workplace accidents, cancer, stroke, degenerative illnesses or congenital defects. These people, in effect, are 'imprisoned' in their bodies. They want to communicate with others and express their feelings, needs and opinions, but are unable to because of their limitations."

"Today, there are modern solutions that can help such people carry on a dialogue with those around them, and enable them to realize their dream of creating communication. The optimal solution for these people is the VOCA device and portable speaking computers."

The National Insurance Institute, an active partner in the project, states that the Institute considers the development of services to improve the functional ability and independence of the handicapped and to improve their quality of life a primary goal of the highest priority. Since the Institute sees the availability of supportive communication for children and adults who lack normal speech capabilities as so important, they decided to significantly expand their cooperation with Ezer Mizion and to significantly support a campaign to upgrade and expand the stock of VOCA devices.

About 1.4% of the world population over age 15 can not make verbal contact with those around them and are not able to communicate using speech. That means that some 100,000 people in Israel cannot communicate verbally!

Ezer Mizion maintains the only VOCA Lending Center of its kind in the Middle East and one of two in the entire world. The Center features a supply of dozens of models and hundreds of units of communication devices, from very simple to highly sophisticated, which facilitate daily communication with the social environment through digital or synthetic speech.

The Center's target populations are people of any age suffering from a variety of communication challenges. Following referral by the attending speech clinician, the devices are lent out for a period of six months, with an option for extension. The lending is at no cost, besides a nominal fee for insuring the device.

The equipment available for loan was purchased with the generous financial assistance of the National Insurance Institute's fund for the development of services for the handicapped, the Wolfson Family Charitable Trust, the Blackman Foundation, the Joseph Alexander Foundation, the Mizrachi Foundation via the Ministry of Justice, The New Rochelle Community and other sponsors. Ezer Mizion's VOCA Lending Center opened its doors twelve years ago, and lends out hundreds of devices each year giving a voice to people who are otherwise unable to speak.