Journal #8: Adaptive Technology (AAC) - NETS 4

Communication:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a means by which anyone who has a language or speaking impairment to pass on information to someone else, apart from oral communication. Some alternate forms of communication include sign language, symbols or pictures, and facial expressions.  

No Tech Tool

This Thumball is a great way for children to share what they want to say. All they children have to do is cover up the image that they are trying to convey and the other person can lift their thumb and see what it is. There are multiple of balls which have different topics such as action words, emotions, and an alphabet ball. It seems like it would be a fun way to communicate with each other.

High Tech Tool

The Tobii C12 AAC device is a tool has a larger screen (12in) to be able to view larger pictures and words. It has a wide range of software compatibilities and has a built in camera in order to send out pictures. You can communicate with “synthesized or digitized speech”, texting, e-mailing, or chatting. The device is portable, allowing for easy access anywhere, and can attach to wheelchairs, bedframes, and walkers. It has helped people with impairments ranging from autism, cerebral palsy, stroke/aphasia, and the different phases of ALS.

Accessibility:

An input device is any mechanism that allows someone to insert information into a computer. Some examples are keyboards, joysticks, or a mouse.

A software platform tool, Tobii Communicator, allows text and symbols to be transformed into clear speech, computer access, and enables computer devices to be controlled by the person. It has symbols and pictures which enables anyone at varied cognitive levels to be able to use.

A hardware tool like this No Hands (IBM Compatible PS/2) Mouse allows the feet to do the hand-work instead. It allows anyone with arm or hand deformities, loss of hand function, or severe carpel tunnel a new way to move the cursor around with one pedal and click with the other.  It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and OS/2.