Using an electronic communication aid

A person’s physical abilities and needs will determine the best way for him or her to use a communication aid.  An electronic communication aid can be used in many different ways. It is possible to operate an electronic communication aid using any reliable body movement. This might include a movement of the foot or knee, pointing with a finger, or a movement of the head.

Direct Access

Some people who use AAC may be able to directly point to an item on their communication device (e.g. using their hand, foot, or eyes). This is called direct access. We all use some of these methods in everyday communication. We use eye pointing from time to time by looking back and forth between an object and the person we are communicating with to indicate to him or her that we want the object.  For example someone might look at the last chocolate biscuit on a plate, and then at the person they are with to indicate that he or she wants the biscuit.   A person with complex communication needs might look at their communication partner and then at a cup of coffee on the table to indicate that they want their drink now.  Some people use eye pointing with a communication partner to point to line drawings, words or letters on their communication aid. 

Electronic communication aids can be directly accessed in a number of ways depending on the type of aid and the person’s skills and abilities. Eyes, fingers or head-pointers can be used to point to cells displaying photos, line drawings, letters or words, and also to press keys or buttons.  A key guard is sometimes used to help separate the items displayed.  Infra-red pointing devices, worn on the head, can also be used to control an electronic communication aid.  The vocabulary item is selected when the beam is directed at an individual cell on the communication device.  This activates a voice or text output.

Indirect Access

Some people who use AAC have physical limitations that mean they cannot use direct access. That is, they cannot directly point to the vocabulary item on their communication device. These people may use indirect access to select items on their communication devices. Indirect access is different depending on whether the person is using an electronic or non-electronic communication aid.

Indirect access uses scanning. Scanning is when a vocabulary option is selected indirectly from a number of choices presented visually or audibly.  Vocabulary options may be presented as letters, written words, spoken words, photos and/or line drawings.

When scanning is used with an electronic AAC device, a switch or multiple switches are used.  Switches are connected to the communication device and can be controlled by a part of the body. Individual physical abilities and limitations mean that different people may find it easier to use a switch with different parts of their body (e.g. arm, head, foot, knee).  When selecting an appropriate part of the body to operate a switch, professionals, such as occupational therapists look for a part that produces a consistently stable physical movement.

Scanning with switches can be individualised for different people. There are lots of ways to set up switches, here are some examples:

• Individual cells on the communication device display the vocabulary items.  The cells automatically light up one at a time. The person waits until the item they want to select lights up and then hits the switch. 
• The person hits one switch to move from one cell to the next then hits another switch to select the desired item.
• When there are lots of items to choose from, the options may be organised into rows and columns. First the device highlights each row one at a time and the person selects the correct row. The device then presents each item in that row one at a time and the person selects the desired item. 
   

 Adapted from Communication Matters (2001), “Focus On…” series pamphlet, “Accessing Communication Aids and Computers.”