Using a non-electronic communication aid

A person’s physical abilities and needs will determine the best way for him or her to use a communication aid.  A communication aid can be accessed in many different ways. It is possible to use a non-electronic communication aid by pointing with a finger, using a pointer, or with the help of a communication partner.

Direct Access

Some people who use AAC may be able to directly point to an item on their communication aid (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 at an object and then looking back and forth between the object and the person we are with to indicate to him or her that we want the object.  For example someone might look back and forth between the person they are with and the last chocolate biscuit on a plate 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 eye-point to line drawings, words or letters on a non-electronic communication aid. 

Head-pointers can be used to point to objects, photos, line drawings, letters or words. Light-pointers, worn on the head, can also be used to point to vocabulary items on a communication aid. 

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 aid. These people use indirect access to indicate items on their communication aids. Indirect access uses scanning. Scanning is when a vocabulary option is selected indirectly from a number of choices presented visually or audibly.  Indirect access is different depending on whether the person is using an electronic or non-electronic communication aid. Indirect access with a non-electronic communication aid requires the help of a communication partner.

Depending on the type of communication aid, and the communication aid user’s skills and abilities, a non-electronic communication aid can be accessed in a number of ways. Here are some examples:

• A communication board may be set up with rows and columns. The communication partner points to each row, one at a time, and the person nods when the desired row is selected. Then the communication partner points to each vocabulary option in that row, one at a time. The person nods when his or her communication partner points to the desired vocabulary item.
• The communication partner points to and reads aloud a number of vocabulary options on a communication board, one at a time. The person vocalises or nods to indicate when the communication partner has reached the desired item.

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