Communication:
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
includes all forms of communication methods that are used to express
thoughts, needs, wants or ideas for those with impairments in the
production or comprehension of spoken or written language.
No/Low tech tool- PECS
Picture
Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an example of AAC that
focuses as a behaivoral approach that teaches self-initiated requesting.
This allows the learner to engage in symbols for desired items rather
than to point to them on a communication display. The communication
partner provies the requested item or activity. This helps because the
student is engaging in the object to where he or she can remember the
action with the word. This is a type of body kinesthetic approach that
will be extremely useful for students with communication disabilities.
The picture to the left is an example of the PECS communication system.
The teacher has 6 symbols that can be acted out or presented that the
student is acting out to better remember the word.
High Tech Tool- e-talk Chat-GT
The
Great Talking Box Company's newest product is the e-talk Chat-GT. This
enables personal communication for individuals unable to use their
natural voice. It is a touch screen machine where the learner can use
symbols, text, sounds or pictures to create words phrases and sentences.
As you can see on the picture to the right, it has clear symbols and
colors that categorize nouns, verbs, or adjectives to help create the
sentence the learner is trying to say. Its bright screen and size makes
it easy and portable for anyone.
Accessibility:
Input device:
is any hardware equipment that can be used to provide data and control
signals to a processing system such as a computer or other appliance.
MegaBee- Hardware Option
MegaBee
is a writing tablet to aid frequent communication. This device uses eye
movement and blinking to select letters which are displayed on the
actual screen. It is mainly used for people with brain damage, strokes,
motor loss and cerebral palsy; people that have no, or little ability to
speak and cannot write. For example, if the user wanted to select the
letter B, it would first be selected by looking at the blue block where
the letter B is located and then blinking. Then as the letter B is
yellow they would press the yellow button on the bottom where they have
colored buttons that corresponds with the colors inside the boxes.
As
you can see the screen on the tablet they are able to use their own
vocabulary to create their own set of shorthand words or phrases that
can be uploaded. Software- Windbag
Windbag
is a text based communication aid program. It provides a way for people
with literacy needs to store and retrieve messages. There are two main
screens as you can see from the picture to the right.
The
chat window is the window on the top that allows you to speak as you
type conversations. It contains a number of tools to provide your
message in the way that you want. You can type or speak messages, use
abbreviations, predictive typing, and it can store previous texts that
you can use again. The message window to the bottom displays your phrase
bank which provides an easy way to speak out in commonly used phrases. I can not believe how many softwares, devices, and programs that are offered to people with literacy problems. Technology can make anything happen :D
Blogs I commented on:
Tara
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