AAC and Mainstream Platforms

(including iPad/iPod)

Selection

Low tech or Hi Tech

Not mutually exclusive

AAC software or app can bridge the gap allowing client to choose from two as required

Choosing a Hi Tech aid

What output is needed ?

How complex is the clients communication going to be ?

How will the client access the aid ?

How will this integrate with other AT needs ?

Dedicated aidsProsPros ConsCons

Long battery life Typically not very flexible

Robustness Can be expensive (sometimes very)

Fixed interface Fit for no other purpose

Reliability

Mainstream Platforms as VOCA

ProsPros ConsConsPowerful with scope to Typically fragile and not always

upgrade suitable for harsh environments

Flexible to change Can be larger and heavier whenever necessary

Computers crash!

Better voices and Battery life

clearer screens Time taken to boot up

Personalisation

Which Platform????

Mobile phones Games consoles/iPod

Palmtops / Pocket PC/PDAs Tablet /iPad

Laptop Desktop

Mobile Phones A Mainstream operating system in its own

right Cheaper and widely available Limited accessibility features

Processing power/battery life/volume

Games console/iPod Limited options (no calls/web access etc ) Light, easy to handle, hardwearing, availability Volume, battery life, etc May need additional accessories

Palmtop /Pocket PC/PDAs

• Palmtop computers (Pocket PC)

• These are much smaller devices designed to be carried in the pocket.

• The small screen is a touch screen but due to the compact size, displaying large grids is impractical.

• It is also not practical to connect switches or external input to these devices, but the high robustness and portability of these devices makes them very convenient for communication on the move.

Tablet PCs/iPad• Touch screen / Stylus

• No physical keyboard (but one can be connected/use onscreen)

• Highly portable

• Tablet computers are increasingly popular, lowering the cost and providing better specified computers. As a result, tablet machines will change fairly often.

• Use of apps now allow for affordable AAC options, constantly updated

• http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/iphoneipad-apps-for-aac

• www.appsforaac.net

iOS Devices iPod Touch 8, 16 or 32 GB memory

Does have WIFI access, web browser, camera No Bluetooth – Switches won’t work 3.5” display

iPhone Usually cheaper on contract Has Bluetooth, WIFI access, better camera 4-5hours continuous use battery life Turn off apps when no using to preserve battery 3.5” display

iPad Larger version 10 hour battery 9.7” display

Communication Apps 150+ AAC apps currently available Prices vary from free to €200+ No trial versions of apps – iTunes limitation

Symbol/Picture based

Symbol & Text based

Text only based

Communication apps - Precautions

Apps sometimes developed by parent/family member with one specific end user in mind and some developers have limited knowledge of child language development

Certain apps do not allow for editing/customisation to suit individual vocabulary needs

Some apps only downloadable in certain countries

Some apps are subscription based

Not all apps have a message window

Voice quality can vary

Sample of apps that have received good reviews included in this presentation, it is not an exhaustive list!

Selected Symbol/Picture Based Apps Single message apps

TapSpeak Button (€12-40) Like BigMac Standard version can import own photos Plus Version has 4500 PCS symbols

iTalker (€8)* Import own photos

Sequenced message apps TapSpeak Sequence

Like Step By Step communicators iPad only Editing features disappear in portrait mode

Selected Symbol/Picture Based Apps

Visual Scene Display Apps (iPad only) - designed to provide a high level of contextual support.

Scene & Heard

uses 12,000 Wigit Symbols, or own images

linking between scenes possible

hotspots, or symbol strip at bottom

Recorded speech

can schedule to launch at a specific time Scene Speak (€8)*

Can use own images

Set up as a book, swipe to turn pages

Hotspots for output, no linking possible

Synthetic and recorded speech

Selected Symbol/Picture Based Apps

Apps suitable for whole message buttons (no message window, no page linking – similar to GoTalk, Tech/Talk, Supertalker, etc.)

iComm (basic version free)*

2-4 cells per page Import own images, small number of symbols Recorded speech in paid version.

Talking Cards (€30)

2, 6,12 cells, no linking possible Custom symbols, import own images Recorded speech

(Continued Next Screen)

Selected Symbol/Picture Based Apps

Apps suitable for whole message buttons

TapToTalk *(subscription based, free to download) 2000 custom symbols, import

own images Create pages online using own

images No message window Recorded Speech Switch access Also available for NintendoDS

Selected Symbol/Picture Based Apps

Apps suitable for sentence construction

(message window available, page linking – similar to Dynavox M3, Liberator Springboard etc.)

AlexicomAAC *(subscription based) Create pages online using own images

Synthetic speech

Switch access

Expressive (€40) Import own images, Smarty Symbols

Multiple levels, Recorded speech

Sounding Board *(€40) AbleNet symbols, import own images

1-9 locations

Recorded speech

Selected Symbol/Picture Based Apps

Autism specific apps Grace (€30)

Autism specific, PECS replicant

No speech output

Message window to construct sentences

Can import own images

Apps with Symbols & Text to Speech

These are apps that support AAC users who have emergent/developing literacy skills.

Usually has synthetic speech output Word prediction available in some apps Similar in language level to Dynavox V, Liberator

Eco, Grid 2 symbol based users. Quality very much related to price!

Apps with Symbols & Text to Speech

AutoVerbal €8)

“Girl”, “Guy” and “Pro” versions available

Cannot add you own buttons, but can customise what existing buttons say

No message window when working with symbols

Pop-up keyboard with message window

My TalkTools Mobile* (free/€32)

Need paid version to edit pages

No message window when working with symbols

Can activate Apple on-screen keyboard from app

Apps with Symbols & Text to Speech

Proloquo2Go* (€140)

Uses SymbolStix library (7000 items)

Can import own images/photos

Fully customisable buttons

Direct Access only

Word prediction available

Can use both symbols and text to construct message

TouchChat AAC* (lite €8- full version €240)

Fully features AAC app

Uses SymbolStix or own images

Word prediction

Can purchase with WordPower 24 page set

Direct Access only

Text to Speech Apps

These are apps that are designed for individuals with good literacy

Word prediction available in some – start to type and the app “guesses” what words you might be trying to use

Phrase prediction available in some - “guesses” what words might come next i.e. how are___

Ability to save messages important – can reuse frequent used sentences/preplanning speeches

Selected Text to Speech Apps Assistive Chat

Easy Speak

EZ Speech Pro

iSayIt*

can save words and phrases to use again

TalkAssist

Keeps a history of your messages that you can use again

Selected Text to Speech Apps Predictable* (€120)

Word prediction, phrase prediction coming soon

Switch accessible, with auditory scanning

Can save your messages

SpeakIt!* (€1.60) Pop-up keyboard

Can save messages/phrases

Can save messages as audio files to be exported.

Noteworthy…

Some established AAC companies are now developing a iOS version of their software Tobi Communicator Grid 2

Connecting to and downloading from iTunes

Apps are bought from the App Store on iTunes.

You can either download iTunes to your computer, or use the app store directly from your iPod/iPhone/iPad. You need to be connected to the internet to do this.

Browse for apps you want – note: most AAC apps are listed under Education

Can purchase using iTunes vouchers if you don’t want to use your credit card

Your device is linked with your iTunes account –you cannot share your apps with others without wiping clean their pre-stored content or risking that they may alter your content.

Alternative Access

Switch access Will allow access to specific apps, rather than

iPod/iPhone/iPad in general Use Bluetooth to interact, replicating specific key

presses Currently AbleNet, R.J. Cooper and TherapyBox

producing switches – need to check with are compatible with your app

Joystick access - iPortal More info at www.appsforaac.net/node/364

Cases

iMain2Go case (iPod/iPhone) Speakers built into case Needs AAA batteries However can be bulky – difficult to hold, hides device

OtterBox cases Sturdy, very rugged. Commuter (slim) or Defender (more sturdy) options Latch strapping system

Cases cont… iAdapter case

Very rugged Expensive Bulky

Hand-E Holder

Velcro – can be useful for iPods/iPhones

Holders

•Hand-E Holder

•The Latch from OtterBox may suit ambulatory individuals, those who can access it on their laps etc.

Velcro! Particularly useful for iPod and iPhone.

Waterproofing Zagg Invisible Shield

Tunewear

Accessories External Speaker (Need to secure to device/case)

Wired, such as x-mini. Wireless, Bluetooth speakers, i.e Cyfi Sports

Bub Caps

Conductive stylus

E-Tip Gloves/Conductive gloves

BlueTooth keyboards

Mounting Deassy mount – expensive, but very sturdy

from Mounts And More

Dynamics have a wheelchair mount designed to work with the iPortal, and can be adapted, so that iPad draws power from chair battery.

RAM mounts use suction pad, so may be suitable when a desk/wheelchair tray present.

Apple Accessibility Features

Built into Apple Operating System (iOS) Can help access to apps Settings General Accessibility VoiceOver – one tap calls out app/vocabulary

item, double tap selects Auto correction when typing using inbuilt

keyboard

Alternative operating systems Android system

http://www.appsforaac.net/content/aac-apps-android-0

Click2Phone app Windows

Starting to catch up i.e. Motion Tablet from SmartBox AT

Useful Links www.appsforaac.net – ACE Centre blog http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/

iphoneipad-apps-for-aac - Spectonics Blog http://commquick.com/ - Communication related

apps for Apple and Android platforms

Laptops v Desktops

Where …..What …..When ….How ….Why …..

Will this PC be used ?

Software for communication

Now to introduce some of the products that will run on mainstream platforms

Some of these will also run some of the other devices – check with the supplier before you

choose Practical session