At long last, apps are beginning to appear that take advantage of Apple’s True Depth camera to provide eye gaze control on the latest iPhone or iPad Pro. There are actually two cameras; your usual selfie camera and an infrared…
Author: Kathryn Helland
Communicating is About Relating
When we demand communication from an AAC user, we risk making communication feel like work. We want it to be about relationships. Forcing someone to use their device can build task demand-related anxiety. Let’s remember to use least to most…
Low Tech Core Boards For High Tech Apps
Core boards are a great way to introduce vocabulary and begin to build language. They contain everyday, high frequency words. These words comprise 80% of what the ‘typical’ speaker says by the age of two. A core board can be…
Communication Boards
Communication Boards and Picture Resources Edited 12/06/18: Core boards for math and language arts added. Center-based Core for Symbol-Supported Learning in the Classroom This post has always contained core boards for use at the library, or in cooking. I thought…
AAC Assessment
What is an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Evaluation? An evaluation means reviewing all the ways a person currently communicates, and providing ideas for enhancing communication. AAC evaluations must be done by a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist. Depending on the…
Vote Like Your Life Depends On It
We live in a participatory democracy. Whatever your political beliefs, our society is best served when everyone takes part in the electoral process. And I mean everyone! People with disabilities are often disenfranchised; from inaccessible polling places, to lack of…
Not Just a Month….
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TechOWLPa.org is live!
Do you live in Pennsylvania and need technology to help you lead your life? The Assistive Technology programs at the Institute on Disabilities have a new website. It is now easier to find out about all the services, including the…
All The Words
This AAC Awareness Month, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to have inclusion in the field of augmentative and alternative communication. It is near impossible to reach the goal of inclusion if we don’t presume the…
AAC Awareness Month is here!
October is upon us and it is time to celebrate AAC Awareness Month. It is a great time to recognize, and honor, all the ways in which we, as humans, communicate. I have just returned from the Closing The Gap…