Communication:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices serve as tools to those who have severe or significant speech impairments (cerebral palsy, intellectual impairments, autism, dyspraxia, aphasia, strokes and traumatic brain injuries), so that they can can express themselves quickly and specifically. The two types of communication are high and low tech. High tech is something that involves technology or that is electronic such as a computer. Low tech is something that is more simplified, often times more affordable. One example of a low tech device is picture exchange cards (PECS). BoardMaker is a type of PECS, which teachers use to make charts, schedules and games. People can search the database which has more than 4,500 communication symbols and pick out certain illustrations with the word next to it, to create a story with new vocabulary or explain to the student what is going to happen next that day. One high tech tool is a text to speech device is the LightWriter. The primary user types in what s/he wants to say and the words come out on the other side's screen and are pronounced through a small speaker.
Accessibility:
Input devices are for students with physical impairments, so that they are able to type through the help of non traditional means. The two types of accessibility devices are hardware and software. Hardware is something that attaches to a computer and people can physically touch such as a keyboard. TetraMouse is one example of input hardware. It is a dual joystick with three buttons on top that can be operated by holding it in someone's lips or tongue, if that person does not have head mobility. Software is a computer program that has been developed for people with accessibility needs. NaturallySpeaking is a software tool that allows people who cannot physically type or for whom it is painful to type to speak into a headset and have that be transcribed on the computer. It is 99% effective and overtime recognizes students' speech patterns.
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