Technology and AAC

Many people with complex communication needs have AAC systems that use electronic technology.  The different devices have different features and different levels of complexity. They are constantly being updated and improved. When selecting an AAC device for an individual, look at the features of each device and how they match with the person’s skills and abilities. Here are some of the different technology features to think about:

Input type

Different AAC devices use different ways to select vocabulary.  A person’s physical abilities and literacy skills will determine the most appropriate input type.  Some examples of input types are buttons, switches, cells, touch-screens, and keyboards.

Output type

Electronic AAC devices use voice output, text output or a visual display. Voice output communication aids turn a selected or typed message into a spoken message.  They can use either synthesised speech (artificial voice) or digitised speech (recorded human voice). Text output communication aids turn a selected or typed message into text. They can show text on a screen and/or print text out on paper.  A visual display can show line drawings on a screen and/or print out words and line drawings.

Levels

Electronic AAC devices can have a simple format or can be quite complex. Single message devices have just one recorded message. Multiple message systems have more than one message that may be chosen and activated by the user.

Multi-level devices have multiple pages of vocabulary options stored electronically. These are usually arranged in topic groups (eg. foods, transport) and/or grammatical groups (eg. verbs, adjectives).

Display type

Different AAC devices use different ways of displaying the vocabulary options.  For example, dynamic screen devices have multiple pages of vocabulary options, which are shown by scrolling through pages on a computer screen.  The computer screen changes according to the page that the person is using.  Other devices do not use computer screens, but have overlays that need to be changed by hand.  These overlays display line drawings in groups (e.g. topics, grammar groups).  They cover cells that can be pressed by the user.  When a cell is touched it generates a voice or text output.

Australian suppliers of electronic communication aids include:

Zygo
Technical Solutions Australia
Novitatech
Spectronics
Technability