AAC Downloads

Posters

• Keep Talking! - Communication Ideas
  So - you've got a BIGmack (or equivalent) - AKA a 'single message device'... download this ABC of Single Message Ideas Wall Poster. This poster was created by CALL Scotland, in collaboration with Tony Jones of TalkSense.
• Wheel of AAC iPad Apps for Communication
  This 'wheel' of AAC Apps by CALL Scotland, provides a categorised guide to iPad Apps for people with complex communication support needs, who may need to use some form(s) of AAC.
• Wheel of AAC Android Apps for Communication
  This 'wheel' of AAC Apps by CALL Scotland, provides a categorised guide to Android Apps for people with complex communication support needs, who may need to use some form(s) of AAC.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication might help
  Many people have never thought about communication support needs and have never heard of AAC. These will help you to 'spread the word' about AAC in your setting.
• How many ways are there to communicate?
  Many people have never thought about communication support needs and have never heard of AAC. These will help you to 'spread the word' about AAC in your setting.
• Ways to communicate
  Many people have never thought about communication support needs and have never heard of AAC. These will help you to 'spread the word' about AAC in your setting.
• What do they all have in common?
  Many people have never thought about communication support needs and have never heard of AAC. These will help you to 'spread the word' about AAC in your setting.

Communication boards

Here are a few practical resources that might be useful. They are low-tech 'communication boards' that a person who does not speak clearly can point to, to help them to communicate and get their message across to a listener.

Download and view these resources and if you like them, save, print out (in colour), then laminate for use. One or two allow for personalising - write in to the blank square with a non-permanent marker (which can then be wiped off, for a new message another time).
 

• Alpha card
  This is a simple chart with the alphabet, numbers and some key words/messages on it. Someone who can't speak can point out their message letter by letter using this. Slow but effective.
• Bus
  This card contains key vocabulary needed to ask for a bus ticket, enquire about prices, times, ask for help etc. You need to write in the destination to the blank "I'm going to...." box.
• Help postcard
  A person who uses AAC can carry a postcard (A6 size) that helps to explain their situation to new people when they meet, and gives hints and tips about being a good communication partner.
• help card 1
  This page has three copies of the same card on it, designed to be printed out, cut up and assembled. The grey side should be stuck back to back with the yellow side, to make a credit-card sized communication card.
• placemat
  This is designed as "chatty placemat". During snack or meal, put the plate on the mat and use the symbols around the edge to talk about the meal, etc.
• pocket bus
  This card is the same as the bigger bus card but in a small size that can be folded up in the pocket.
• pocket cards 1
  These three sheets are designed to be printed out and assembled as a 'key ring' type fan of message cards. Print out all three, cut out all the blue 'keys'. Choose the messages you want to use and the order you want them in.
• pocket cards 2
  The messages include basic communication needs eg. "Please can you help me?"; "look in my bag"; I need the toilet"; "In emergency, please call..you write in"; etc.
• pocket cards 3
  The messages include more basic communication needs eg. "what time?"; "although I can't speak, I can hear and understand you OK"; please wait"; etc.
• pocket train
  This card is the same as the bigger train card but in a small size that can be folded up in the pocket.
• qwerty
  Another style of alphabet/number chart for spelling out messages, with some basic communication phrases. This is the most useful layout for people already familiar with using a keyboard, as they will find the letters and numbers more easily.
• shopping card
  This card will be useful in shops, for talking to the shop assistant, making basic requests and asking for help. It includes all the usual coins and bank notes, to help discussions about price, change etc.
• train
  This card contains key vocabulary needed to ask for a rail ticket, enquire about prices, platform number, times, ask for help etc. You need to write in the destination to the blank "I'm going to...." box.
• who, why, what, when Alpha
  This is another style of alphabet/number chart for spelling out messages. It includes basic question words, to help the user ask for clarification, quickly.

Acknowledgements

The software used to produce these resources is MatrixMaker Plus from Inclusive Technology Ltd.

Permission has kindly been granted for use of the copyright graphics and symbols, as used in the resources:

• IT pictures (Inclusive Technology)
• Widgit Symbols (Widgit Software )
• Symbol Stix (n2y)

Matrix Maker Plus is commended as a robust, good value and easy-to-use application. Widgit and Symbol Stix symbols are amongst the most popular symbol systems used in the UK. But other symbol software and symbol libraries are, of course, available.

Copyright

These resources were created by Sally Millar, CALL Scotland, for the ‘Right to Speak’ project. Copyright is held jointly by CALL Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland (NES). The resources are free for download and use, and may be freely reproduced for training purposes and/or for use by communication-impaired people, with appropriate acknowledgement of the author and copyright owners.

• Links to this web site are permitted.
• These resources must not be sold for profit or published without acknowledgement of the author and copyright owners.

Scottish Book Awards