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TalkLink Services

Services Provided by TalkLink  | People with Disabilities | Communication Equipment | Other Assistance

Communication Equipment

Assistive Technology may be used to help a person speak, write or control their environment.

Speaking

If a person has difficulty with speaking and traditional speech-language therapy is not helping, then assistive technology may be used to replace or augment a person’s speech. Communication equipment may be operated by the user to convey a message. Communication equipment is divided into two categories, low-tech and high-tech.

Low-tech communication devices include:

• Alphabet board
• Word boards
• Communication books
• Activity boards
• Schedule boards
• Choice boards

High-tech communication devices include:

• Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCA)
• Computers with voice output
• Voice amplifiers
• Attention alarms

Writing

If a person has difficulty with writing using orthodox tools such as a pencil or pen, and if traditional occupational therapy cannot help, then assistive technology may be used to replace or augment a person’s ability to hand-write.

Writing devices include:

• Portable or desktop computers
• Intelligent keyboards
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)

Alternative Access

All communication devices may be adapted so that people with a physical or sensory disability can operate the device in a different way (Alternative Access). Many items of equipment may be used or customised to enable independent use of a communication device.