News
iOS 13, Voice Control, and AAC
The next iOS update is now in beta testing. iOS 13 promises some big changes that will have an impact on people with disabilities. Right off the bat, Accessibility is no longer hidden under the General folder in Settings. Just…
TechOWL Videos: Getting Started with TouchChat
At our state AT lending library, one of the biggest questions we get is, “Now what?” Borrowers open the big shipping box and may not be sure of their next steps. Here at TechOWL, we are working on creating a…
AAC and Teaching Intentional Communication
In the past two weeks, I have been mulling over something that Kate Ahern said during her presentation at AAC in the Cloud. “Assume intention to teach intention.” How do we acquire vocabulary, and intentional use of language through AAC? …
Transitioning to a New AAC Device or App
I work with several adults who are in the midst of transitioning to new devices. Their old devices are no longer supported by the manufacturers. The new devices look and feel different, even though they come from the same company.…
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…
Face Tracking and Eye Gaze for the iPhone and iPad: Access and AAC
Updated February 14th, 2020 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…
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…
Light Tech Core Boards For High Tech Apps
Update: 03/26/2020 Covid-19 has cause school closures around the country. Anecdotally, we are hearing that many students have had to leave their devices at school because they are district property. What can we do to meet students’ communication needs at…
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…
Consider Communication
Consider Communication is a special project for those of us who support people with complex communication needs.