Communication

Assistive Technology may be used to help a person speak, write, learn 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:

High-tech communication devices include:

• Speech Generating Devices.
• Computers with speech 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.