distance communication and aac
TRANSCRIPT
Distance Communication
& AAC
What is AAC?
Any communication that is not face to face.
Telecommunication is the dated term for distance communication.
Communicating across distance
What is distance communication?
Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) is any form of communication other than spoken/oral language.Speech generating devices allow the user to use picture symbols, letters, and/or words and phrases to create verbal messages.
Why is it important to any of us? Provides opportunities for more…
• independence.
• confidence.
• engagement in the community.
• self advocacy.
• self determination.
• emergency preparedness.
• social connections.
• employment.
Why is distance communication
important to an AACuser?
Before 1973
• Wired
• Landlines
• Answering machines
• Amplification available
• Large buttons available
Distance communication
After 1973
• Wireless (1975)
• Email (1990)
• Texting (1992)
• Smart phones (2007)
• Tablets (2010)
Distance communication can be “wired”“cellular” or “wi-fi”.
What is the difference?
• Wired – traditional phones with a connection to a wire • Cellular- requires a phone plan - pre-paid or contracted• WiFi - includes iPads and other tablets and they can work without
a cellular plan if the are connected to the internet. Free wifi“Hotspots” available in most areas libraries, coffee shops, fast food restaurants. There are also Wifi finder apps.
Comcast Internet Essentials Plan - https://www.internetessentials.com
for people with disabilities
Telephone Relay Services
• TTY relay services, which can be reached by anyone by dialing 711 from a telephone or TTY1
• Uses Communication Assistants
• Federal Communication Commission regulates this.
• Paid for by surcharges on phone bills
Distance communication
for people with disabilities
Video Relay Services
Distance communication
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs
for people with disabilitiesDistance communication
Free phones Pennsylvania's Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP) provides specialized equipment, FREE, to eligible Pennsylvanians who have disabilities which impede them from having independent access to telephone services.
http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/tddp/
• First prototype in the mid 1970s
• Use started with children in the 2000s
• Computer based production of communication boards
• Fixed vs. dynamic displays
• Access modes vary
• Voices can be digitized, synthesized or human voice
AAC Speech Generating Devices
• Tablets changed the game.
• Augmentative Communication Apps are a fraction of the cost of a “dedicated speech generating device”
AAC Speech Generating Devices
• The iBox by Teltex connects your iPad-based AAC app directly to your landline, allowing you to make calls.
AAC Speech Generating Devices and Wired Phones
AAC Speech Generating Devices go wireless
Who sits at home and waits for the
phone to ring?
Why is distance communication
important to an AACuser?
wireless
Distance communication with AACCreate a message with AAC and then export it to text messaging, social media, reminder apps or email
Distance communication with AAC
• The cost of the phone and data plan
• Some states provide wireless options in their TDDP programs, but this is not universal
• Having to re-set the Bluetooth connection (repair the two devices)
• Technology changes quickly and may need to update for the latest
Challenges
Other apps for distance communication
• Google hangouts (talk, text, & video)
• Google Duo (simplified video chat)
• Talkatone (talk & text)
• Ovoo
• Skype (video and messages)
• Facetime
• Glide
• One advantage to Google apps is they will
work on both Android and Apple phones.
AAC and Virtual Assistants
AAC apps and devices can be used to control Virtual Assistants
• This can enable communication, play music, listen to your to do list….
• As well, there is a growing use of Virtual Assistants to activate internet-enabled environmental controls.
• Imagine having complex physical and communication needs, but still being able to order a pizza, turn on your lights, set the thermostat, and play your own music!
Virtual Assistants can be programmed to carry out commands with IFTTT. You send a text message to a list of people in an user’s contact list in response to an preset emergency commandjust as “Okay Google, I need help!” You can even send GPS coordinates along with the emergency message.
https://ifttt.com/
Cool Video Sesame Enable Phone
https://youtu.be/3ZrWmuAPL60
Another Cool Video AAC & Amazon Echo
https://youtu.be/FIB4rYCQeZk?t=1m9s
How do I know what is right for me?
• PIAT offers services to the public, including
• Device Demonstrations
• The AT Lending Library
• Try before you buy!
• The TDDP Program for eligible Pennsylvanians with disabilities
• Can help people acquire landline phones to meet their needs
• The Wireless Pilot — Phase II (Philly area)
Need more information?
Use distance communication to reach us.
Voice phone: 800-204-PIAT (7428)
TTY phone: 866-268-0579
Website: http://disabilities.temple.edu/tech/
Email: [email protected]
Please provide feedback at bit.ly/PIAT_T1
Thank You.
Please provide feedback at bit.ly/PIAT_T1
This presentation was developed by Kathryn Helland& Kim Singleton
[email protected]@temple.edu
www.aaccommunity.net