Steps to Language

Last updated: 29/01/2025

Steps to Language is a vocabulary package designed to support children to develop the skills needed for symbol based communication. It has been specifically designed for children using AAC, right from the very beginning of their journey, moving towards developing complex language skills. Steps to Language has 5 stages so that the child can gradually build their language skills in a similar way to how young children learn to talk. The 5 stages reflect a child’s growing vocabulary, changing interests and development of literacy skills. Steps to Language is available in PCS, SymbolStix and Widgit.

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General

Languages

Danish, Portuguese

Does this vocabulary cost to access?

Free

Format

Electronic

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

Jabbla UK

Software Required

Mind Express 5

Text To Speech

Are voices available in the same language(s) as the vocabulary?

Yes

What voices are available?

Male adult, Female adult

Does the system need internet access for the voice to run?

Vocabulary

Is the settings/software menu available in the same language(s) as the vocabulary?

Yes

Does the package support code switching (speaking two or more languages within one sentence/message bar)?

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)

Yes

When the vocabulary was created what features of the language were considered?

• Adjustments to the page design has been made to accommodate the grammar and sentence structure for each language.

Is it a Text-only or Symbol + Text vocabulary?

Symbol + Text

Are there written labels on the cells as well as symbols?

Yes

Is it possible to have two labels on the cell with the symbol?

Is it possible to have symbol-only page sets? (i.e no written labels)

Yes

Is there a keyboard available?

Yes

What keyboards are available?

Keyboard in just the language(s) of the vocabulary (e.g. an Urdu vocabulary has only an Urdu keyboard)

Is there a search function/word finder?

Yes

Can you change the skin tone of symbols?

Yes

Can the vocabulary content be personalised for the individual?

Yes

What level of language ability does this package support? (pick the best fit category)

Combining sentence starters with endings (this could be e.g. a Food page that has some sentence starters, “I want to eat…” “I don’t like…” and a word bank to complete the sentence)

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

Is there a translation function available?

Yes