Alternate Access – AAC Community

Aqua-blue image of an iPad and an iPhone.

Apple’s iOS 15 and AAC: Accessibility and Independence

Over the last month, Apple has released information about upcoming changes to their operating systems for iPhones and iPads. The operating system is like a scaffold. It supports all the apps we use on our devices. The latest updates will include several exciting improvements to accessibility. Some of these new features include the following: Sign Time…

Colorful image of instructions for making an eye gaze board.

Light Tech Eye Gaze: A Place to Start

When we consider eye gaze AAC, we often think of really expensive devices with built in “magic” cameras (actually infrared cameras, but they seem like magic to me). We don’t have to go straight to super high tech to enable…

Image of Jabberwocky app icon over a keyboard.

Face Tracking and Eye Gaze for the iPhone and iPad: Access and AAC

Updated June 25th, 2021 At long last, apps are available that take advantage of Apple’s True Depth camera to provide Head Tracking on the latest iPhones or iPad Pro. These devices actually have two cameras; your usual selfie camera and…

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…

Poster with a road and the words, "My vision impairment should not mean I don't get to have a voice."

AAC and Vision Impairment

Sometimes we assume that someone who is blind or has low vision, won’t be able to access and use AAC. This is not true. There are ways to make AAC accessible for those who can’t rely on their sight for…

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ACES Week Two: Check In

We are reaching the final days of ACES. Goals have crystallized and most technical glitches have been solved. S now can send emails from her new Tobii I 110. J is up and running with the CoughDrop app, and his…

Image of Raccoon saying, Let me assist you tapping that icon" with hands outstretched

AT Tip of the Week: Touch Accessibility on the iPad

A few months ago, I posted about using the iPad for on the fly Text To Speech. This allows you to use Vision accommodations to read text on the screen of the device. To activate Speak Screen requires that you…

Image of the home page of TouchChat HD AAC app

Working with What You Have: Using the Entire iPad Screen as a Switch

People who use iPads for augmentative and alternative communication often know that it is possible to hook up switches to the iPad. This way, it can be used by someone with complex physical needs. This can be done either by…