SpeakBook
Last updated: 15/07/2024
Speakbook is a simple communication tool that was developed by Patrick Joyce who had Motor Neurone Disease (MND / ALS). Understanding the progression of his condition and the needs of others, Patrick realised that there was a need for a cheap and easy-to-use way of communicating for people who are able to read and spell and can move their eyes, but struggle to point with their finger or hand. Speakbook is a template for a communication book which you populate with your own messages. It also provides access to an alphabet chart. Speakbook can be useful for anyone who is literate and requires a communication tool that they can access with their eyes.
General
Languages
Afrikaans, Bulgarian, French, German, Maltese, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Zulu
Does this vocabulary cost to access?
Free
Format
Paper-based
Translation Method
‘Fluent’ speaker of the language(s) who has a language based profession e.g. Speech & Language Therapist, Linguist, Language Teacher or similar e.g. a Polish vocabulary that has been created by a fluent Polish speaker who is also a Speech & Language Therapist would meet this criteria
Supplier
Ace Centre
Software Required
PDF viewer
Vocabulary
Can the user switch between languages while staying in the vocabulary package? (E.g via a link on the home page or tool bar etc)
No
When the vocabulary was created what features of the language were considered?
It was based on Patrick Joyce's own system which others have now translated. The alphabet chart and the sample phrases have been created in the language. The instructions for constructing the book and the operational commands within the book are also in the language. Most translators have regionalised the language but we can not be totally sure of how much they have done this.
Is it a Text-only or Symbol + Text vocabulary?
Text-only
Text Only
What keyboards are available?
Keyboard in the same language(s) as the vocabulary [e.g. a Urdu vocabulary has an Urdu keyboard]
Is there a bank of prestored phrases?
Yes
Can the bank of prestored phrases be edited with the users own phrases?
No
Is there the option for symbol support on the text?
No
Symbol + Text
What level of language ability does this package support? (pick the best fit category)
One word or prestored message at a time (this could include a prestored message that says “I need a drink” but would not offer the flexibility to change the message to “I need juice”) Combining several words together to make sentences, but not necessarily grammatically correct. Combining several words together at sentence level and including the correct grammar, such as using the correct verb form, and noun-verb agreement and other features as expected in the language. (to meet this criteria the functioning of the vocabulary must be able to accommodate the language’s sentence structure and grammar).
What topics of conversation does the system support? (choose the best fit category)
Wide range of topics including school topics (children) work/ daily living related vocabulary (adults) and common hobbies/ interests, cultural/ religious practices
Related Resources
View All >Resources available in Afrikaans, Bulgarian, French, German, Maltese, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Zulu
FAQs
Answering common queries and concerns.