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What is AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) ?


AAC includes the use of eye pointing (read more about eye tracking) gesture, signing, symbols, word boards, or a speech output device. Augmenting communication involves speech and writing. In some cases, it also involves technology relating to teaching and learning, mobility, environmental control and employment.

A more in-depth explantion of AAC can be found on the website of Communication Matters, a UK national charitable organisation of members concerned with the augmentative and alternative communication needs of people with complex communication needs.

Aided Communication Systems


If you use or have used AAC devices, please add your comments and/or experiences. It would be very useful to those people considering what might be suitable for them.

High Tech


Devices which require at least a battery to operate, many of which can be complex. Devices include:



Hardware


Liberator 14Vantage PlusVanguard Plus Springboard Plus


Pathfinder.

Photo of PathfinderA communications tool that features both a static keyboard plus a colour display. It comes pre-installed with vocabulary and pictures, computer keyboard emulation and infrared controls. It's apparently lightweight and compact. The makers claim a battery life of over 10 hours of continous use.

The device can be accessed directly via a keyboard and touch screen display, through infrared head pointing or with switch-activated scanning (single and double switch and joystick options). Parameters can also be adjusted to create the most effective access to the device. Auditory prompts help users with vision impairment.

Using the Pathfinder




Photo of LightwriterLightWriter

is a portable text-to-speech communication aid. It has dual displays, one facing the user so he or she can see what is being typed, and a second outfacing display to allow communication in a natural face-to-face position. They are claimed to be simple to use, yet very effective...just turn it on and type. It has large, bright displays which should be easily seen by both the user and the person listening. Suitable for the needs of people with some literacy skills but nt so good dexterity/mobility skills and for those who have problems with speech, and want messages that can be typed and read out in stages. It can be used by those who are hard of hearing. Font sizes can be enlarged and there is version with larger keys which is useful for people with vision impairment.

Synthesised speech www.dynavox.co.uk Complete speech solutions.

DynaVox DV4 and MT4DynaVox V series

IconSpeak - portable pocket PC. User touches symbols which are then spoken by the device. Supported by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Also IconSpeak Talking Desktop. There is a good demo of the IconSpeak pocket communication aid. www.bostock.com

NextUp Talker is a specialised speech product from NextUp.com. It could be used by someone who wants to type into their computer and have the words spoken out aloud, either to a telephone or via loudspeakers.
http://www.nextup.com and www.talkforme.com/

Equip PalmtopPalmtop Portable IMPACT. By Enkidu has input via Touchscreen, Scanning, Rocker button. Offers all of the features supported by its larger cousins. Weighing only 9 ounces, the Palmtop offers unparalleled convenience and portability. When installed in its sturdy nylon carrying case with external speaker (both included), it is ideally suited for mobile users. In addition, it can serve as an unobtrusive mounted device for users with limited mobility. The hardware utilized for Palmtop Portable IMPACT is a portable computer (the Casio EM-500) running Microsoft's Windows CE operating system. www.abilityhub.com

Gus! Pocket Communicator. Dynamic display augmentative communication system for Pocket PCs. This product is designed for people with communication or speech disorders who require a small, user friendly speech system and have the physical ability to use a hand held computer. It offers pages of words and phrases, along with the ability to create new words and phrases on-the-fly. www.abilityhub.com


Software

Screenshot of WindbagWindbag

is a text based communication aid program for people with literacy skills. It provides many ways to store and retrieve messages. It has two main screens - the chat box and the phrase bank. The Phrase book stores messages in a database, for use at any time. Most commonly used phrases are offered first and there are some 3000 available. Windbag will produce speech word by word, line by line, or both. There is an onscreen keyboard which can be hidden if not required. The speech voices can be adapted by the user.

Read more about Windbag

Screenshot of Grid 2Grid 2

is an on-screen keyboard and a communicator in a single program. The Grid provides communication with text or symbols, and complete access to a Windows computer system using switches, pointing devices or a keyboard. The program allows communication via Symbols, Text or the Onscreen keyboard.

Read more about Grid 2

EZ Keys XP
is designed for users who have at least a third-grade reading level and cannot speak or for users who speak and desire adapted computer access. Users with a wide range of disabilities find EZ Keys XP simple to operate and essential to everyday communication. EZ Keys XP allows the literate user to do everything from typing a letter, to engaging in conversation with a friend, to exploring the worldwide web. World-renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking uses the software to communicate, write papers, and deliver lectures. EZ Keys for Windows is a text based communication and computer access package. It allows a user to communicate and to control the computer by means of anything from a single switch to a keyboard. EZ Keys for Windows enables rapid access to most Windows programs via a variety of input techniques. Keyboard and mouse emulation are combined with word prediction and voice output to provide a versatile method of computer access and augmentative communication. www.words-plus.com/

Article from GizMag. Celebrated Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has selected and is using NeoSpeech's Text-to-Speech engine, VoiceText, as his new voice. VoiceText is integrated into Dr. Hawking's communicator, EZ Keys, enabling him to clearly communicate with the outside world.

Low Tech


Devices which require no battery, such as alphabet charts, picture symbols, or just pen and paper.


About Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices



More AAC videos . . . .

Sources of Information for AAC devices


  • CENMAC. Centre for Micro Assisted Communication.

  • FindaVoice. An charity based in Ashford who give information throughout the country and individual help to residents of Kent and Medway. They support parents, carers and people with severe communication difficulties. They welcome the involvement of schools, residential homes, community groups and health/social services professionals. Theyoffer advice and help about communication aids and have a free Resource Library with switch toys, communication aids, training videos and useful books. They also have experience of applying for funding of equipment.
  • Good advice for when considering which AAC device to buy (Source: www.findavoice.org.uk)

  • EmpTech. A good source of information on types of AAC equipment, as well as a whole range of other assistive products.

  • Communication Matters. A UK national charitable organisation, of members concerned with the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs of people with complex communication needs. They produce a useful list of centres around the UK who assess, advise and have loan bank AAC devices available.


  • RNID - Communicating with finger spelling.