The document discusses using iPads and iPods as augmentative and alternative communication devices. It describes several apps that can turn the devices into communication boards, including Proloquo2go, TouchChatHD, TapToTalk, TapSpeak Choice, SoundingBoard, and Voice4u. It also discusses considerations for using switch access with iPad apps and potential accessories like cases. Finally, it provides some lessons learned, such as working with IT, setting up shared iTunes accounts, and downloading free app versions before purchasing.

1. Using iPads and iPods
as
Communication Devices
Deborah Dacey, MA/CCC-SLP; ATP
Special Ed Coordinator
Boone Co.
Schools
debbie.dacey@boone.kyschools.u
s

2. Augmentative
iPod touch
iPad

3. Augmentative
iPod touch
iPad
Just think…last year at this time,
the iPad was just introduced –

4. Features of the iPad as an

5. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight

6. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight
 Dynamic Display

7. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight
 Dynamic Display
 Multiple Apps

8. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight
 Dynamic Display
 Multiple Apps
 Direct Selection and Scanning
Access

9. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight
 Dynamic Display
 Multiple Apps
 Direct Selection and Scanning
Access
 High Quality Voice Output

10. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight
 Dynamic Display
 Multiple Apps
 Direct Selection and Scanning
Access
 High Quality Voice Output
 Synthetic and Digitized Text

11. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight
 Dynamic Display
 Multiple Apps
 Direct Selection and Scanning
Access
 High Quality Voice Output
 Synthetic and Digitized Text
 Chargeable

12. Features of the iPad as an
 Portable and Lightweight
 Dynamic Display
 Multiple Apps
 Direct Selection and Scanning
Access
 High Quality Voice Output
 Synthetic and Digitized Text
 Chargeable
 Allows use of other applications

13. Communication

14. Communication
 Considerations:
◦ Cost
◦ Programmability
◦ Digitized and Synthetic Voice
Options
◦ Graphics Options
◦ Symbol Array

15. Proloquo2go

16. Proloquo2go
FEATURES:
• a full-featured augmentative
communication device
• a default vocabulary of over
7000 items
• high resolution symbols:
Symbol Stix

17. Symbol Stix
 Designed and developed by N2Y
for use in the on-line weekly
newspaper, News2You and the
online curriculum, Unique Learning
System.
 Generic activities and persons are
depicted as lively stick figures-
stick figures with "an attitude".

18. Proloquo2go
FEATURES cont.
• natural sounding text-to-
speech voices
• advanced word prediction
• fully programmable and easy
to use
• reasonably priced at $189.99

19. Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch or iPad
* iOS 4.2 or later
* 273 MB of free space

20. Sample Pages on iPod

21. Proloquo2go Video
 http://www.proloquo2go.com/
resources/article/introductory-
videos

22. TouchChatHD

23. TouchChatHD
FEATURES:
 is a full featured communication
application
 Over 10,000 symbols are included
 Reasonably priced at $149
 Five synthesized voices

24. TouchChatHD

25. TouchChatHD
FEATURES cont.
◦ VocabPC: for adults and adolescents
uses a 12 location page layout
◦ MultiChat 15: created for school-aged
individuals with emerging language
skills
◦ Spelling: a keyboard page set with
four word prediction
◦ Primary: designed for children; offers
vocabulary for home, school and
general communication.

26. TouchChatHD
FEATURES:
Minimum Requirements
 iPod Touch 2nd generation running
iOS 4.0 or higher
 iPhone 3G running iOS 4.0 or
higher
 iPad running iOS 3.2 or higher
 iPad 2

27. TapToTalk
 Free! (Editing version $99)

28. TapToTalk
 Features
◦ Plays TapToTalk albums on an
iPhone®, iPad™ or iPod touch®.
◦ You can download the player
application from the App StoreSM
for free.
◦ New version has scanning

29. TapToTalk Designer
 Design and organize “albums” with
a library of over 2,500 pictures
 You can add your own pictures
 Record your voicee or use text-to-
speech
 “Publish" your albums to one or
more of our supported devices.
 Free apps play your albums on
each device.

30. TapToTalk
 http://www.taptotalk.com/

31. TapSpeak, LLC
 TapSpeak Button – Single message
 TapSpeak Sequence – Sequential
recording
 TapSpeak Choice – Allows quick
and easy creation of communicator
grids.

32. TapSpeak Choice for
iPad

33. TapSpeak Choice for
iPad
FEATURES:
• Reasonably priced at $99.99
• Multiple symbol options
• photos and Mayer-Johnson PCS
core library of 4500 symbols
• One to 56 messages on a board
• Drag and drop creation and
editing

34. TapSpeak Choice for
iPad
FEATURES:
• Digitized voice including sample
libraries.
• Tap/touch configurable for a
student’s motor skill capability.
• Direct access
• Scanning modes using the entire
iPad screen as a switch or use RJ
Cooper’s iPad Super-Switch and
iPad Switch Interface.

35. TapSpeak Sequence
 FEATURES:
◦ $29.99
◦ Unlimited number of messages and
sequence length and phrase recording
length
◦ A number of geometric symbols and
colors
◦ Use your own photographs or
drawings
◦ Tap response is configurable
◦ Basic usage tracking

36. TapSpeak Button

37. TapSpeak Button
Features:
 Unlimited number of messages
 Unlimited message length
 Configurable button color
 Configurable button feedback
 Editing of existing messages
 Full editing of the message list

38. TapSpeak Button
Requirements:
 Version 1.0 $19.99
◦ Apple iPhone with at least OS 3.1
◦ iPod Touch 2G with any attached
microphone and OS 3.1.
 Version 2.0 $49.99
◦ Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.2
or later.

39. TapSpeak video
http://conleysolutions.com/
wordpress

40. SoundingBoard

41. SoundingBoard
 SoundingBoard™ Version 2.0
Update
◦ Linked Boards: choose to link one
board to another on any message
location
◦ Single and Dual Switch Access:
Using AbleNet's bluetooth access
switch
◦ Pre-Loaded Communication

42. SoundingBoard
FEATURES:
 Create boards with up to 9
message locations
 Virtually unlimited capacity; create
boards for any situation
 Use the built-in AbleNet symbol
library for instant access to
hundreds of symbols
 Record messages of virtually any
length for each symbol

43. SoundingBoard
 Use your own photo library for
even greater flexibility and options
 Take your own photos using your
iPhone and use them in a board
immediately*
 Increase the physical size of the
boards by using iPad

44. SoundingBoard
Requirements:
 $59.99
 SoundingBoard™ is designed to
work with:
◦ iPhone 3GS and
◦ iPhone 4,
◦ iPod Touch 3rd and 4th
Generation
◦ iPad 1 and 2

45. SoundingBoard
 http://www.ablenetinc.com/
AssistiveTechnology/
Communication/SoundingBoard/
tabid/632/Default.aspx

46.  http://mypad.lazyriver.on-
rev.com/ $29.99
iConverse

47. MYTALKTOOLS MOBILE AAC
 Use simple grids or boards with
bold images to play recorded
sounds when you touch a cell. The
sequences can even form complete
sentences.

48. MYTALKTOOLS WORKSPACE
FAST, FLEXIBLE AUTHORING
 MyTalkTools Workspace is a Web
application to personalize
MyTalkTools Mobile or Lite quickly
and easily.
 It's a drag-and-drop tool that
simplifies design and backs up
your MyTalkTools content when
you sync.

49. Voice4u
 Create Your Original Icons &
Categories
 Create as many icons & categories
as you need. Customize pre-
loaded icons & categories with your
own photos and sound.

50. Features
 Over 150 Pre-loaded Icons
 Charming icons with easy-to-listen, clear voice
in nine categories that helps user’s self
expression. Organized in 11 categories.
 Just Too Easy!
 Our user-friendly interface that is tested with
autistic individuals assures zero learning cost.
Use Voice4u right after installation.
 Affordable Price: ONLY $29.99
 Voice4u is totally affordable out of your
pocket. More than 100X cheaper than
conventional AAC devices.

51. What is required to have
switch access to an I-Pad
app?
1. A Connection
2. A Switch Interface
3. Switch(es)
4. An Application that includes logic
to make it “switch aware”
• Make elements on the screen
“accessible”
• Receive, interpret and act upon switch
events

52. iPad Switch Access
iPad Cordless Switch
Interface (RJ Cooper)
$99
iPad Cordless
Super-Switch (RJ
TapSpeak
Cooper) $149
Choice ($99)

53. iPad/iPod Cases

54. iPad Accessory Package
• iAdapter
• rubberized corners and handle
• A small slide cover on the front
of the housing will hide the
home button
• an amplifier with dual speakers
• A rechargeable Lithium-Polymer
battery
• shoulder strap for portability
• plastic stand for table top use.
http://www.amdi.net/
iadapter/

55. Lessons learned

56. Lessons learned
 Work with your IT techs and your
purchasing people prior to doing
anything.

57. Lessons learned
 Work with your IT techs and your
purchasing people prior to doing
anything.
 Set up I-tunes account with a
“generic” email that can be
transferred between teachers and
schools. DO NOT SET UP AN
ACCOUNT UNDER YOUR NAME OR
CREDIT CARD!

58. Lessons learned (cont.)

59. Lessons learned (cont.)
 Determine who will manage the
account and if you are going to
have a centralized computer to
“sync”.

60. Lessons learned (cont.)
 Determine who will manage the
account and if you are going to
have a centralized computer to
“sync”.
 Download “lite” or free versions of
apps, when possible to determine
if it’s worth the money.

61. Lessons learned (cont.)
 Determine who will manage the
account and if you are going to
have a centralized computer to
“sync”.
 Download “lite” or free versions of
apps, when possible to determine
if it’s worth the money.
 Read the reviews.
 www.docstoc.com/docs/60454355/
iPhone-iPad-and-iPod-touch-Apps-for-
(Special)-Education

62. Riding the wave of a
technology revolution…
 Apps are CONSTANTLY
changing
 Be aware of system
requirements
 Keep searching for the latest
and greatest!
Thanks for your attendance!