AAC and Mainstream Platforms (including iPad/iPod)

1. AAC and Mainstream Platforms (including iPad/iPod)

2. 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

3. 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 ?

4. Dedicated aids Pros Cons Long battery life Typically not very flexible Robustness Can be expensive (sometimes very) Fixed interface Fit for no other purpose Reliability

5. Mainstream Platforms as VOCA Pros Cons Powerful 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

6. Which Platform???? Mobile phones Games consoles/iPod Palmtops / Pocket PC/PDAs Tablet /iPad Laptop Desktop

7. Mobile Phones A Mainstream operating system in its own right Cheaper and widely available Limited accessibility features Processing power/battery life/volume

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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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!

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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!

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. Noteworthy… • Some established AAC companies are now developing a iOS version of their software • Tobi Communicator • Grid 2

27. 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.

28. 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

29. 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

30. Cases cont… • iAdapter case • Very rugged • Expensive • Bulky • Hand-E Holder • Velcro – can be useful for iPods/iPhones

31. 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.

32. Waterproofing • Zagg Invisible Shield • Tunewear

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. Laptops v Desktops Where ….. What ….. When …. How …. Why ….. Will this PC be used ?

39. 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