Lite-Tech or Low-Tech Communication Aids

Introduction

There are so many different communication aids that it is only possible for this document to briefly describe the main types available. It is by no means exhaustive and for more detailed information, it is strongly recommended to contact a relevant assistive technology service provider for expert information and advice before purchasing equipment.

Communication boards

A communication board is a very simple aid which can use picture symbols (picture boards) or alphabet symbols (alphabet boards) or a combination of both. The message is communicated by the user indicating the symbols eg cup (I want a drink) or letters (t-u-e-s-d-a-y) appropriate to convey the message. The user may indicate using finger/hand/foot pointing or may use their eyes to indicate a target word or symbol. All the symbols or text are displayed at the one time so the user is able to view and use the full range of symbols or text at all times without having to turn pages or access different screens of a more complicated electronic device. Communication boards are very portable, light and are often used fixed to a lap tray if the user is a wheelchair user.

Communication books

A communication book is a paper book, often containing laminated pages, which contain words and pictures used to communicate messages. Vocabulary is often arranged by semantic category (eg food page, friends page) or by activity (eg art page, school page). Again the user may indicate terms by pointing using their eyes or other body parts. Many users of high-tech communication devices will have a low-tech system like a board or a chart to use when it is not possible to use their primary system (eg damp environments, when their device is broken etc).

A communication passport is a specific type of communication book. It acts as an introduction to its owner for anybody unfamiliar with the person, the person's needs, likes and dislikes, interests etc. It often includes personal information such as medical needs, details of family members etc. See www.communicationpassports.co.uk for more information.

Single message devices

Single message speech output devices are often the first experience a child will have of using a communication aid. Essentially they are like a single message tape recorder or a very simple switch but they can be very effective as they are easy to use and give the user verbal feedback. They are often first used to teach the concept of cause and effect and subsequently, often more complex communication solutions can be introduced. Single message devices such as the BigMack, VoiSec or One Step Communicator come in different colours with a large surface area for the user to make contact so they are easy and fun to use. They can also be accessed via a switch. They can record short messages which can be changed easily so the device can be adapted in seconds for whatever the situation. There are other devices which can record a sequence of different messages and this means that the user is able to communicate more complex or a range of different messages eg Step-by-Step Communicator, Randomiser.

Switches

A switch can also be used to replace the use of a keyboard and/or mouse with a computer. Switches enable an individual who has reliable control of one or more movement to control any electronic device which is equipped with an appropriate switch interface/connection. Careful switch selection and switch location are essential if the user is to make optimal use of their switch or switches. There are a range of different ways in which a switch can be operated. For example, the user may depress the switch continuously until the target item is highlighted on screen, or they may use the switch to activate an automatic scanning function, with a further switch selection at the moment when the target item is highlighted on screen.

For more information on types of switches, choosing switches, switch operated devices, switch software and much more, visit www.inclusive.co.uk/infosite/switches.shtml

Telephones

Telephones have been included in low-tech communication aids because they are such an important and probably the most widely used communication aid of all.

There are some services available specifically for people with disabilities and older people in regard to telephones and textphones. For more information on the Free Directory Enquiry Service, Equipment for People with Special Needs (see Eircom website section on Disability Services), National Relay Service and the Scheme for Text Telephone Equality of Payment (STEP), see Entitlements for People with Disabilities (2008) - Chapter 7, Community Care and other services - Telecommunications

Today there are more types of phones with more different features to choose from than ever before. A telephone can provide a vital link for someone or to someone so it is worth considering what features would be useful to ensure the telephone is as effective a communication device as possible for the user.

Telephones and equipment for people with hearing impairment

People with a hearing impairment may find one or a combination of the following features useful:

outgoing speech amplifiers enable the speech volume passing through the mouthpiece to be increased
incoming speech amplifiers enable the speech volume passing through the ear piece to be increased
an additional ear piece may enable incoming speech to be listened to with both ears, or it may be used by a third person who is able translate into 'sign', the incoming speech, or repeat the message for lip-reading
incoming call indicators, for example, a bright flashing light as a visual alert when the telephone rings
variable tone control allows the pitch of the ringing tone to be adjusted
ringer volume control allows the loudness of the ringing tone to be varied
use of a vibrate function to alert the user through tactile means
inductive couplers improve the clarity of sound by cutting out background noise. They do not amplify sound. Inductive couplers are used in conjunction with hearing aids when the aid is switched to the 'T' position
text communication (textphones) involves incoming and outgoing messages being typed onto a screen enabling people who experience profound deafness and/or speech impairment to communicate with each other. In order for the text conversation to take place the person on the other end of the line must also have a text telephone.

Telephones and equipment for people with visual impairment

People with a visual impairment may find the following features useful:

raised dot on the number 5
memory buttons which can store the most frequently called numbers for one-touch dialling
big button telephone with high contrast large buttons eg black buttons with large white numbers
talking caller ID lets you hear who is calling you before you answer. You can also find out whose calls you missed and the date and time of calls
Voicemate a full speech output device which stores telephone numbers, addresses and appointments that can be accessed using voice recognition and numbers can be dialled automatically using the built in auto-dialler
JAWS (screen reading software) on Windows mobile phones
Access features on mobile phones such as voice dialling, text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications.

Telephones and equipment for older people

Older people may find one or a combination of the following features useful:

incoming speech amplifiers enable the speech volume passing through the ear piece to be increased
an additional ear piece may enable incoming speech to be listened to with both ears
variable volume control allows the volume of the ring to be made louder or quieter as required
variable tone control allows the pitch of the ringing tone to be adjusted
large keypad buttons which are well spaced that are easy to see and touch
high contrast numbers and symbols
keys which require little force to operate with a feedback feature so the user knows the button has been pressed
hands-free telephone allowing the user to speak and listen without having to lift the handset
caller display which shows the number of the person calling so the user can decide whether they want to answer it or not
memory buttons which can store the more frequently dialled numbers for one-touch dialling
last number redial.

Easy-to-use and/or accessible mobile phones

There is now a wider range of mobile phones available than ever before. Phones and features now available include:

large keypad phones such as the Doro range
pre-stored speed dial buttons/emergency alert
high-contrast screens and keypads
phones with only pre-stored buttons (no keypad) such as the Firefly
scanning mobile phones such as the Click2Phone for individuals who use switches
use of bluetooth headsets to avoid having to lift phone to ear
voice calling and caller recognition
predictive text for composing SMS messages