Alphabet Charts & Books

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Customisable symbol charts for communication available in five layouts to support different access methods.

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Younger Learners

<p>We often recommend using software such as <a href="https://www.splash-city.com">Splash Maths</a> or <a href="https://www.arithmetype.com">ArithmeType</a> etc for specialist accessible maths programs. Yet some students simply need access to a scientific calculator that is accessible via their input method.  There are solutions such as <a href="https://www.desmos.com">Desmos</a> which provide a full range of accessible online maths software, however, they take up screen-space and are not always fully keyboard accessible.</p>
<p>Ace Centre has created a Scientific Calculator, inspired by collaboration with students we work with and <a href="http://candleaac.com">CandLE,</a> this solution is smaller, can be operated entirely with keyboard shortcuts and can run offline. Click the download button above to get the free offline version or <a href="https://github.com/AceCentre/ace-aac-calc/releases/download/v2.0.0/ScientificCalculator-Setup.exe">click here</a>.</p>
<p>An online version of this calculator is also available for Grid 3 which you can find by <a href="https://grids.thinksmartbox.com/en/will-wade/4ff14885-e136-4dfe-a687-a5a0277e5873">clicking here to access it from Online Grids.</a></p>
<p>To use, install the software, then install the grid set which you will find on your desktop. There will be a shortcut to the web page which is then installed on your PC if you want to use that with anything else.</p>
<p><b>More info:</b></p>
<p><b>Basic Math</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">2 + 2 = 4</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">1/2 × 20 = 10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">√16 = 4</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">π × 2 = 6.283185307</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Scientific Functions</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">sin(45) = 0.7071067812</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">log(100) = 2</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">√(π) = 1.7724538509</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Random Numbers</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">rand() = 0.7324846372         # Random number between 0-1</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">floor(rand() * 6) + 1 = 4    # Roll a die (1-6)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">floor(rand() * 100) + 1 = 42 # Random number 1-100</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Algebraic Expressions</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">x^2 + 2x + 1                 # Quadratic expression</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">2x + 2y                      # Linear expression with variables</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Memory Operations</strong></p>
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Store current result: Ctrl/⌘ + P (M+)</li>
<li>Subtract from memory: Ctrl/⌘ + M (M-)</li>
<li>Recall memory: Ctrl/⌘ + R (MR)</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Line References with @</strong></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Maybe slightly easier that using M+,M- etc you can reference previous results using the @ symbol followed by the line number. Each line in the history is numbered for easy reference.</p>
<ol>
<li>10 + 5 = 15</li>
<li>20 + 12.5 = 32.5</li>
<li>@2−@1 → (32.5)−(15) = 17.5</li>
</ol>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Examples</strong></p>
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>@1 references the result from line 1</li>
<li>1000 &#8211; @3 subtracts line 3&#8217;s result from 1000</li>
<li>@2 * @1 multiplies results from lines 2 and 1</li>
<li>floor(@1 * 6) uses line 1&#8217;s result in a function</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">The calculator will show both your expression with @ references and the expanded calculation with actual values.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Keyboard Shortcuts</strong></p>
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Enter or = &#8211; Evaluate expression</li>
<li>Escape &#8211; Clear workpad</li>
<li>↑ &#8211; Previous expression</li>
<li>↓ &#8211; Next expression</li>
<li>Alt/⌘ + D &#8211; Toggle Degrees/Radians</li>
<li>Ctrl + (0-9) &#8211; Set decimal places</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Tips</strong></p>
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Brackets are automatically completed as you type</li>
<li>History is scrollable and expressions can be recalled</li>
<li>Click the DP button or use Ctrl + number to set decimal places</li>
<li>Toggle between degrees/radians for trigonometry</li>
<li>Unicode symbols can be typed directly or using text equivalents</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Video Demonstration:</b></p>
<div class="responsive-embed"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Demonstration of Scientific Calc for AAC" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OEcNT14uyIY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>


AAC Based Scientific Calculator

<p><span data-teams="true"><span class="ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr">This guide is designed to support educational settings through the process of creating an AAC policy that is unique to them and the needs of their students and staff. The document outlines practical steps for integrating AAC into daily classroom activities, ensuring that AAC users can participate fully and learn effectively. It also highlights the importance of fostering a supportive culture that values diverse communication methods and promotes understanding and inclusion. </span></span></p>
<p>We created this free online guide, directed by the original Developing AAC Policies in Schools document created in 2001, whilst working alongside and within several education settings. The aim is to pull from and share our recent joined up experience to assist education teams through the process of creating an AAC policy that is unique to them and the needs of their students and staff. The guide addresses key points for effective AAC policies to include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Introduction</li>
<li>Defining AAC</li>
<li>The need for an AAC policy statement</li>
<li>The educational context</li>
<li>Legal considerations in the use of AAC</li>
<li>Roles and responsibilities</li>
<li>Ongoing training and development</li>
<li>Transition</li>
<li>Funding options</li>
<li>Conclusion</li>
</ul>
<p>Each section in this guide has been designed to promote discussion and planning throughout the process of creating your AAC policy whilst providing examples from existing school policies and considerations to explore within your setting.</p>


A Guide to Writing an Effective AAC Policy in Education Settings

<p><span class="TextRun SCXW111989139 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW111989139 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">Free online eBook or download as PDF</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW111989139 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>


<p class="p1">Introducing Echo: The AAC app for easier communication. Auditory scanning, dual voices, and multiple access options. Accessible and inclusive.</p>
<p class="p1">Echo is an AAC app designed for those with a visual difficulty and physical difficulty to access communication.</p>
<p class="p1">Echo is based around the concept of auditory scanning. Auditory scanning is a communication method using sound cues or auditory feedback rather than visual cues. This method is especially valuable for those with a visual impairment who cant access visual based AAC.</p>
<p class="p1">Echo provides you with two different voices, one for your auditory cues and the another to represent your voice.</p>
<p class="p1">You can access Echo using the following methods.</p>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Any external switch (or combination of switches)</li>
<li class="li1">Swipe Gestures</li>
<li class="li1">Arrow Keys</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1">We have plans to extend this in the future to allow for more access methods.</p>


Echo

<p>Echo is an AAC app designed for those with a visual difficulty and physical difficulty to access communication.</p>


<p>This pack includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Using a Clues Book help sheet (PDF)</li>
<li>Clues Book with Widgit symbol support (PDF)</li>
<li>Clues Book with text (PDF)</li>
<li>InPrint3 templates for creating a symbol supported or text based Clues Book</li>
<li>MS Word template for creating a text based Clues Book</li>
</ul>


Clues Book

<p>Designed to support speech when there is difficulty being understood by providing a means for giving clues to a communication partner so they can make guesses to get conversation back-on-track.</p>


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<p>The original Pragmatics Profile of Everyday Communication Skills in Children was written by Hazel Dewart and Susie Summers. This revised version has been created with the permission of NFER &#8211; Nelson. This Profile should be used with individuals who have used AAC in the past, are currently using AAC, or where you feel that an individual is using informal modes of AAC and you wish to introduce more formal methods.</p>
</div>
<p>This resource is <strong>free</strong> to download. There is one version which can be used in two ways:</p>
<ol>
<li>Print &amp; Fill  &#8211; download, print and fill in by hand</li>
<li>Auto Entry &#8211;  download and fill in electronically with Microsoft Word</li>
</ol>
<p>To cite this work:<br />
Martin, S., Small, K., and Stevens, R. 2024. The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC  &#8211; Second Edition (First Published 26 Sep 2017). Available at:<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/">https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/</a>.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>


The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

<p>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.</p>
<p>Speakbook is a template for a communication book which you populate with your own messages.  It also provides access to an alphabet chart. While originally developed with MND in mind, Speakbook can be useful for anyone who is literate and requires a communication tool that they can access with their eyes. (<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/project/speakbook/">For more information &#8211; see here</a>)</p>
<h2>With thanks to:</h2>
<p>English &#8211; With thanks to Suzanne Guerin and her colleagues for finding the mistake with the circles/triangles and cyan/green dots!</p>
<p>Turkish &#8211;  Ersin Sinay</p>
<p>German &#8211; Julius Deutsch, kommhelp e.V., Michael Ritson, Ace Centre, UK.</p>
<p>Afrikaans &#8211; Emma Emmerich, Inclusive Solutions.</p>
<p>Portuguese &#8211; Hélio Lourenço, Ace Centre UK</p>
<p>Maltese &#8211; Martina Zarb, Mariah Amber Busuttil, Jamie Said, Access to Communication and Technology Unit (ACTU), Malta</p>
<p>Bulgarian &#8211; Evgeniya Hristova</p>
<p>French &#8211; Michael Ritson, Ace Centre, UK.</p>
<p>Zulu &#8211; Sipho Sibanda, Inclusive Solutions</p>
<p>Arabic &#8211; Hossein Amin, Iraq.</p>


SpeakBook

<p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">This communication book is designed to be used by someone who can point to fairly small messages. The template will need to be completed with personalised words and phrases that are </span><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">communicated repeatedly and </span><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">useful to deliver quickly. </span></p>


A5 Communication Book you can point to

Communication Partners (I)

<h5>Reflect on your personal interaction style and develop communication partner skills to support AAC users.</h5>


<p>This leaflet is derived from the information presented in the chapter &#8220;Augmentative and Alternative Communication” written by Ace Centre colleagues Lizzie Sadiku, Katherine Small and Suzanne Martin for a book by Dr. Sean Pert called “<a href="http://bit.ly/AACLang">Working with Children Experiencing Speech and Language Disorders in a Bilingual Context: A home Language Approach</a>”.</p>


Appraising an AAC Resource in a Language You Do Not Speak

<p>We have created this document pulling from our experience of supporting AAC users who want to communicate in more than one language. It is a compilation of questions you can and should be asking when appraising resources in a language you do not speak and considerations for you to keep in mind.</p>


<p>Key Features:</p>
<ul>
<li>Read text by paragraph, word or sentence</li>
<li>Quickly switch between different languages</li>
<li>Access over 400 voices in 100 different languages</li>
<li>Import your own text documents</li>
<li>Full library of help videos</li>
</ul>


TextAloud

<p>TextAloud is a brand new iOS App developed by Ace Centre! It is a text-to-speech app which reads any text you enter into to it.</p>


Bath

<p>A symbol chart to support communication around taking bath.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Make Up

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while putting on make up.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Listen To Music

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while listening to music.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


<p>Core words are useful words that support communication in any settings, during any activities and with anyone. Core word communication charts are a great way to get started with paper based AAC! Simply print and use whilst chatting in whatever situation you find yourself.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Mr Potato Head

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing with Mr Potato Head.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


<p>For more information about creating symbol based materials click <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/getting-started-with-paper-based-symbol-resources">here to access our Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources eBook</a></p>
<p><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=symbol-charts">Click here to download free symbol based AAC charts featuring core words.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/learning/search?category=communication">Visit Ace Centre Learning for live and on demand training courses on introducing symbol based AAC here</a></p>


Getting Started with Core Words

<p>This leaflet is a starting point for introducing the concept and importance of core words to people who are creating symbol based AAC materials.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>Use this worksheet to generate ideas about words and pages relevant to an individual which can be used to personalise or expand their communication book or system.</p>
<p>This resource was created as part of the Developing and Using a Communication Book (DUCB) manual. <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/developing-using-communication-book">To find out more about the DUCB visit this webpage</a> or go to <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/learning/search">Ace Centre Learning here where courses on the DUCB are regularly offered</a>.</p>


Identifying Vocabulary to personalise AAC

<p>This leaflet provides information about simple things you can do to support the communication of someone with aphasia. It has been designed to be used by family, friends and professionals working with someone who has aphasia.</p>
<p>Want to learn more? Try Ace Centre Learning’s self-directed module <a title="https://acecentre.org.uk/learning/supporting-communication-for-people-with-aphasia-i" contenteditable="false" href="https://acecentre.org.uk/learning/supporting-communication-for-people-with-aphasia-i">Supporting Communication for People with Aphasia</a></p>


Supporting Communication for People with Aphasia

Read Dear Zoo

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<p>A symbol chart to support communication while reading Dear Zoo.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>
</div>
</div>


<p>To learn more about literacy instruction for people who use AAC or who have complex needs we suggest the following sources:</p>
<p><strong>General literacy: </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://literacyforallinstruction.ca/">Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities </a> website with information and guidance</p>
<p><a href="http://www.project-core.com/">Project Core </a> website with information and free professional development modules</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46177933-comprehensive-literacy-for-all">Comprehensive Literacy for All</a> book with information and guidance</p>
<p><a href="http://www.teachustoo.org.uk/">Teach Us Too</a> UK based charity promoting literacy education for all</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Self Directed Reading: </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/5-ways-to-make-page-fluffers-and-spacers">PrAACtical AAC </a>blog with tips on making books accessible</p>
<p><a href="https://www.janefarrall.com/self-selected-reading-books-for-every-reader/">Jane Farrall</a> presentation handout with tips and informations</p>
<p><a href="https://www.monarchreader.com/">Monarch Reader (formerly Tar Heel Reader)</a> large bank of free online books</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Shared Reading: </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=symbol-charts&amp;page=1&amp;subcategory=leisure">Ace Centre Symbol Chart</a> free printable symbol charts to support reading books</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sharedreader.org/">Tar Heel Shared Reader</a> website with information and free professional development modules</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Letter and Sounds </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.janefarrall.com/teaching-and-learning-the-alphabet-playing-with-letter-shapes-and-sounds/">Jane Farrall</a> blog post on teaching the alphabet</p>
<p><a href="https://sites.google.com/view/emergingreaders/home?s=09">Reading &amp; Writing 4 All</a> website with free resources for teaching the alphabet</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Writing: </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/alternative-pencils/">Centre for Literacy and Disability Studies Alternative Pencils </a>information and resources</p>
<p><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=alphabet-charts">Ace Centre Alphabet Charts </a> free printable alphabet charts to use for writing</p>


Getting Started with AAC and Literacy

<p>This leaflet is a starting point for introducing literacy instruction to people who use AAC and why it is important.</p>


Reading

<p>A symbol chart to support communication about and while reading.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Kerplunk

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing Kerplunk.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Bubbles

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing with bubbles.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Blocks

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing with blocks.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Dressing up

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while getting out the fancy dress costumes!</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Turn Taking

<p>A symbol chart to support communication around turn taking. There are spaces on the chart to add names and photographs of the people who are taking turns while playing games, sharing toys, engaging in sensory play or endless other activities.</p>
<p>For more information and support on how to use symbol charts click here to view our <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=made-by-ace&amp;subcategory=e-books">Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources.</a></p>


Balloons

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing with balloons.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 &#8211; 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 &#8211; 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 &#8211; 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing &#8211; 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing &#8211; 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Tea Time

<p>A symbol chart to support communication around tea or a having tea party!</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


<div class="resources-description_container__6hDvA">
<div class="resources-description_description__DDghv">
<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing with trains.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>
</div>
</div>


Train Play

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing with trains.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Dolly

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing with dolls.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


<p>Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features</p>
<p>There is a lot of emphasis on communication partner skills in this resource. That is because communication does not happen in isolation – it is a social act involving two or more people. The person who is communicating with someone who cannot rely on speech needs to develop a range of skills that will enable them to support that person to fulfil their potential.</p>
<p>Please note that this resource is not suggesting that paper-based AAC is ‘best’, or that using paper-based communication resources is a prerequisite to using an electronic communication aid. It is simply about valuing the role of paper-based communication systems, and sharing lots of ideas and strategies to help develop and support them. You may well find that many of the ideas and strategies are useful when it comes to other forms of communication too</p>


Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources

<p>The aim of this resource is to introduce you to paper-based AAC involving symbols to enable you to support those who can’t rely on speech to communicate. Communication enables us to express ourselves, learn, have fun and be active members of society. Supporting communication with symbols can unlock so many opportunities for those unable to rely upon speech to communicate.</p>


<p>Throughout our work there are many many unanswered questions; Whats the best way? Whats the fastest? What works for a client and why?</p>
<p>The problem is many of these questions are either hard to answer – or require a long detailed research study. Well we have one such question to do with our ongoing work supporting people who we assess to use morse code; Whats the fastest way of learning it? If you speak to traditional Morse users they largely say “Auditory” “You can’t use it fast unless you have heard it”. What they traditionally mean is the dot and dash sounds – because a lot of people use it for amateur radio operating where this is the medium. But – if you are using it to write – without hearing the sound – is it really auditory?</p>
<p><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/030802269405700405">A study looked at this</a> – and concluded a mixed approach was probably best – and interestingly that auditory alone wasn’t useful.  But the sample was small and the cues not that engaging. So how can we easily fix this?</p>
<p>Well we have taken the morse-learn game that Google made – and further developed it. Mainly:</p>
<ul>
<li>Adding Auditory cues</li>
<li>Adding Visual cues that match the auditory cues (Download posters and cards if you need them in different colours: <a href="https://morse-learn.acecentre.net/HelloMorse-Poster-Cards-AllColors/HelloMorseAce-Poster-Cards-Blue.pdf">Blue</a>, <a href="https://morse-learn.acecentre.net/HelloMorse-Poster-Cards-AllColors/HelloMorseAce-Poster-Cards-Green.pdf">Green</a>, <a href="https://morse-learn.acecentre.net/HelloMorse-Poster-Cards-AllColors/HelloMorseAce-Poster-Cards-Orange.pdf">Orange</a> or <a href="https://morse-learn.acecentre.net/HelloMorse-Poster-Cards-AllColors/HelloMorseAce-Poster-Cards-Peach.pdf">Peach</a>)</li>
<li>Provide the ability to turn on/off these cues – along side the dot/dah sound</li>
<li>And we can keep track of your learning – anonmously – to see how fast users take to get through the game. We honestly can’t track anything more – not your location, not your hobbies or dogs name. Just how fast it takes you to learn – and with what settings you are using. (If this means something to you  – take a look at the code <a href="https://github.com/AceCentre/morse-learn">https://github.com/AceCentre/morse-learn</a> )</li>
</ul>
<p>By having no authentication and making this truly open to anyone (and most important of all – FUN!) we hope to gain a greater understanding of how fast it takes people to learn morse.</p>
<p>Tips:</p>
<ul>
<li><b>Use chrome if you can.</b> Its slightly less buggy (backstory: It was a chrome only experiment. We’ve done some work to make it as work as well as we can on safari/iOS but its not without some issues still)</li>
<li>Stick to one device. As we have no login system we can’t migrate you from one device to another.</li>
<li>Please try and stick with the settings you are given. These are randomised to make sure a random sample of people are provided different options</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Check it out at<a href="https://morse-learn.acecentre.net/"> https://morse-learn.acecentre.net </a></b></p>


Morse Learn

<p>Morse Learn is a game to enable everyone to learn morse code by attaching mnemonic cues to letters. It has auditory and visual cues so is accessible to both blink and deaf users.mnemonic</p>


<p dir="auto">pasco is a development project by the <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/" rel="nofollow">Ace Centre</a> to create a AAC app to support people who require auditory scanning only. This may be with one or several Text to Speech (TTS) languages or recorded speech. The app supports auditory cues in a headphone and main speech out of the main speaker of a device. Currently only these features are supported in iOS &#8211; other platforms are due to be supported in the future.</p>
<h2>So what is pasco?</h2>
<p>pasco is designed for a specific need and is a development project led by Ace Centre. Its primary purpose is an AAC solution for individuals who need an auditory scanning system and who possibly require multi-lingual support. We felt a system that would work on a range of platforms would be useful so the software is web-based, however it can be  specially created to work off-line on iOS, Windows or Android. In the first phase of this work, we focused on iOS mainly because the individual client we are working with has an iPhone.</p>
<p>What pasco will do:</p>
<ul>
<li>Have an auditory cue and main voice, these can be different voices</li>
<li>The cue and main voices can be recorded messages rather than text-to-speech</li>
<li>The cue and main voices  can be split between a wired headphone and the internal speaker of the iPhone</li>
<li>Be able to spell using purely auditory scanning – speaking out each letter as it is written and then speaking out the whole word on a space or finish command</li>
<li>The language can be created and edited  using a simple text file – where each tree is just an indented list of words or phrases</li>
<li>Support one switch scanning</li>
<li>Support direct access, so that a communication partner can use it and/or so that clients who are able to make small movements are able to use it.</li>
</ul>
<p>Try out the app on an <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pasco/id1317265884?ls=1&amp;mt=8">Apple iOS device (iPhone or iPad) by downloading the free app here</a>. The web version can be trialled at <a href="https://app.pasco.chat/">https://app.pasco.chat</a> . Please note that the different audio for a headphone and device speaker is only available in the iOS app.</p>


Pasco

<p>At Ace Centre we meet a number of clients where traditional AAC solutions aren’t suitable. Here are some examples</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>Said is a 45-year-old man who lives at home with his wife. Said and his wife are Kurdish and have lived in the UK for 10 years..  Said speaks and understands English, his  wife has limited English and speaks to Said in Kurdish. He has Motor Neurone Disease which has now affected his speech to the point others can no longer understand him. His eyesight is poor. He still operates a TV remote by holding the remote between his thumb and forefinger – but can only operate the 4 way TV controls. He wants to spell out whole words and communicate his care needs with carers. He has tried eyegaze technology in the past but this has not been successful.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>Fen is a 56-year-old woman who lives in the UK, she is a first-generation immigrant from China. She has had a brainstem stroke limiting her physical skills to a small thumb movement. It is not clear what Fen can see – her family and care staff feel she can hear better than she can see. Prior to her accident she spoke and understood verbal Chinese (Mandarin) well with her family members. Fen now lives in a care home where staff are English speaking. Fen would like to make her care needs known to staff and her family would like to communicate further with her. Fen has begun to use a partner assisted auditory scanning system using a paper-based book put together with her family. As this system is in Chinese  it is not accessible to care staff.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>Joel is a 6-year-old boy who has a significant visual impairment and physical difficulties. He lives at home with his Mum, Dad, baby brother and dog. His family speak both Portuguese and English. He has trialled some AAC by auditory fishing (dragging his hand across a device and hearing a cue about what is underneath it) and selecting with a switch – but this has proven difficult. He can activate a switch well with his head. He has begun to use a partner assisted scanning book with his mother e.g to choose  activities to play with; to make comments  like telling his mum he loves her.</em></p>
<p>In these cases, there is a range of issues but in general, we need to identify solutions that:</p>
<ul>
<li>Use one or four discrete (in close proximity) movements to operate a device.</li>
<li>Be able to support different languages</li>
<li>Support auditory cues. This  may be with the cue in one language and the main voice in a different language</li>
<li>Where a language cannot be supported with text to speech, it needs to be possible to have audio recordings for the  cue and main voice.</li>
<li>Really simple to edit the vocabulary items for support staff, with the ability to take something already in existence and import the language into a different system</li>
</ul>
<p>Some auditory scanning solutions exist but these are all traditionally grid-based[KS1]  systems which are designed to do multiple things like support symbol systems and access methods such as eyegaze.  Often the language can be edited but it’s hard to import from something like a word document to the software. Few solutions can really support re-organising large blocks of language and “trees” (lists of words organised in categories or blocks) [KS2] of words quickly. If we imagine that, for someone who has a visual impairment, the words are not in a block but are in a list – then it makes more sense to have the words in a list. On paper based systems words and phrases are traditionally organised in lists rather than grids. This led to the question – can we replicate something similar on an electronic system to solve some of these issues?</p>
<div>
<h2>Introducing Paul Pickford</h2>
<p>Paul Pickford is a user of Assistive Technology and a past client of the Ace Centre. You can view more about Paul in the video below.</p>
<p>Paul now uses head controlled technology to operate his computer and has been keen to raise funds for Ace Centre. He contacted us to donate some money to help us fund a bespoke solution to one or two of our clients. We identified the need from the case studies above and sketched out what was required. We are hugely grateful to Paul for offering this and hope that his input helps the development of AAC solutions for many individuals. The result is pasco – Phrase Auditory Scanning Communicator.</p>
</div>
<p><span style="background-color: #ebf1a4; float: right;"> </span></p>
<div class="responsive-embed widescreen"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Paul Pickford" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8lxpvI3lk8w?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p><span style="background-color: #ebf1a4; float: right;"> </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>So what is pasco?</h2>
<div class="rounded-img aligncenter wp-image-6308 size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Screen-Shot-2018-04-20-at-12.58.48-144x300.png" alt="" width="144" height="300" /></div>
<p>pasco is designed for a specific need and is a development project led by Ace Centre. Its primary purpose is an AAC solution for individuals who need an auditory scanning system and who possibly require multi-lingual support. We felt a system that would work on a range of platforms would be useful so the software is web-based, however it can be  specially created to work off-line on iOS, Windows or Android. In the first phase of this work, we focused on iOS mainly because the individual client we are working with has an iPhone.</p>
<p>What pasco will do:</p>
<ul>
<li>Have an auditory cue and main voice, these can be different voices</li>
<li>The cue and main voices can be recorded messages rather than text-to-speech</li>
<li>The cue and main voices  can be split between a wired headphone and the internal speaker of the iPhone</li>
<li>Be able to spell using purely auditory scanning – speaking out each letter as it is written and then speaking out the whole word on a space or finish command</li>
<li>The language can be created and edited  using a simple text file – where each tree is just an indented list of words or phrases</li>
<li>Support one switch scanning</li>
<li>Support direct access, so that a communication partner can use it and/or so that clients who are able to make small movements are able to use it.</li>
</ul>
<p>Try out the app on a <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pasco/id1317265884?ls=1&amp;mt=8">Apple iOS device (iPhone or iPad) by downloading the free app here</a>. The web version can be trialled at <a href="https://app.pasco.chat">https://app.pasco.chat</a> . Please note that the different audio for a headphone and device speaker is only available in the iOS app. For some support see: <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/page/pasco-support/">https://acecentre.org.uk/page/pasco-support/</a></p>
<p><strong>Warning</strong>: Please remember this is very much a development project. <strong>There is limited support. If you are looking at this app to see if it is something that may help you or someone you are supporting please contact your local AAC service for guidance on whether this is the correct solution for your needs. </strong></p>
<h2>What do we expect to happen now?</h2>
<p>pasco is an open source development project. We believe that to meet the wide range of needs of our clients a large number of solutions are required. As part of this mix of solutions, a broad number of individuals are best supported by a business model of good long-term support and maintenance. As well as providing a solution for a few niche use cases, we hope to inspire the development of future AAC software and solutions focused on this area of need. To do this we aim to share publicly case studies and data regarding the use of the app going forward on this page. <a href="http://github.com/acecentre/pasco/issues">Issues with our software will be publicly available here</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>At Ace Centre we meet a number of clients where traditional AAC solutions aren’t suitable. Here are some examples Said is a 45-year-old man who lives at home with his wife. Said and his wife are Kurdish and have lived in the UK for 10 years..  Said speaks and understands English, his  wife has limited&hellip;</p>
<p><a class="moretag" href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/project/pasco/">Read the full article</a></p>


pasco

<p class="f4 my-3">⚠️ We are no longer actively developing Pasco as we have launched the next generation version, called <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/echo"><strong>Echo</strong></a>! Check it out here!. Don&#8217;t worry, Pasco isn&#8217;t going to be removed, so you can continue to use it. ⚠️</p>


<p>Hit your switch when you find two images that match. There are lots of themes to choose from as well as uploading your own images.</p>
<p><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Ace-Centre-Christmas-Snap-Instructions.pdf">Checkout this help sheet to learn how play Snap with your switch.</a></p>
<p>Why not try it out with our free EyeCommander eye blink switch app?  <a id="LPNoLPOWALinkPreview" title="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/introducing-eyecommander" contenteditable="false" href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/introducing-eyecommander">Introducing EyeCommander | Ace Centre</a>.</p>


Snap!

<p>A fun and engaging switch accessible game made by Ace Centre.</p>


<p><a href="https://docs.acecentre.org.uk/eyecommander/">Check out the EyeCommander documentation, including the version history.</a></p>
<h2>System Requirements</h2>
<p><span data-slate-fragment="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">EyeCommander is compatible with all modern versions of Windows, its been tested on Windows 10 and up.</span></p>
<p>You <u><b>MUST</b></u> grant Administrator rights to EyeCommander when prompted.</p>
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<div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1ro0kt6 r-18u37iz r-16y2uox r-1wbh5a2 r-1777fci" data-rnw-media-class="1455-195__1453-_b1430-195">
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<div class="r-1oszu61 r-1xc7w19 r-1phboty r-1yadl64 r-deolkf r-6koalj r-1ro0kt6 r-eqz5dr r-16y2uox r-1wbh5a2 r-crgep1 r-ifefl9 r-bcqeeo r-t60dpp r-bnwqim r-417010" data-block-content="4dbd287cf2d3463aaf2f2f46374e0168">
<div class="css-901oao r-1nf4jbm r-gg6oyi r-ubezar r-16dba41 r-135wba7 r-fdjqy7 r-1xnzce8" dir="auto"><span data-key="b3f938e3463a419e80aa79f643dd966b">EyeCommander is uses a lot of CPU power to run, this is due to the fact that every frame has to be analysed by a machine learning model to extract all of your facial features.</span></div>
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<div class="r-1oszu61 r-1xc7w19 r-1phboty r-1yadl64 r-deolkf r-6koalj r-1ro0kt6 r-eqz5dr r-16y2uox r-1wbh5a2 r-crgep1 r-ifefl9 r-bcqeeo r-t60dpp r-bnwqim r-417010" data-block-content="4c75f2439b034bc9b4748f2a43d48e80">
<div class="css-901oao r-1nf4jbm r-gg6oyi r-ubezar r-16dba41 r-135wba7 r-fdjqy7 r-1xnzce8" dir="auto"><span data-key="149e9d1d36274569b10eae4dc66d646d">EyeCommander shows a &#8216;frames per second&#8217; counter in the top left hand corner of the video feed. The higher the number of frames per second the more responsive and accurate the blink detection will be. The highest you will get is 30 frames per second and anything lower than 5 frames per second will be too low to work at all. </span>You <em class="r-36ujnk" data-slate-leaf="true" data-offset-key="19b41fce462b4d65b728f54ea38b8e05:1">can</em> run EyeCommander on GridPad devices but we have found that they get fairly low frame rates. EyeCommander still works at a low frame rate, however it will be less accurate and responsive but you might find its still usable for your use case.</div>
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<div class="css-901oao r-1nf4jbm r-gg6oyi r-ubezar r-16dba41 r-135wba7 r-fdjqy7 r-1xnzce8" dir="auto"><span data-key="88099838d01a4642af9d986a5de662ac">From our experience we have had the best success with</span><a class="css-4rbku5 css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1471scf r-1otgn73 r-1i6wzkk r-lrvibr" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/configure/surface-pro-8/8qwcrtq8v8xg/20gj" data-rnw-int-class="link____"><span data-key="b83bfc1afbb44be883fba3eee0ae5212" data-rnw-int-class="nearest_265-1767_267-1768-243__"> Surface Pro</span></a><span data-key="c1d361f676d24ffb8387315e2d7bc5ab"> tablets. They have enough processing power to run EyeCommander easily at 30 frames per second and work for our clients needs.</span></div>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Feedback on any beta features is always welcome.</p>
<p>Checkout this video which outlines what EyeCommander is and includes a short demo:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VZ1k-D2hcIE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2><strong>Getting started with EyeCommander</strong></h2>
<p>To install EyeCommander go to our <a href="https://github.com/AceCentre/EyeCommander/releases/latest">page of downloads here</a> and follow the instructions there.</p>
<p>Watch our help series on YouTube which shows you how to install EyeCommander and calibrate it:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLWWQ5nlUD_tvVEM9Ch39GuyFAP_zYhAhW" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2><strong>Who would use EyeCommander?</strong></h2>
<p style="background: white;">To help explain EyeCommander we created two personas that are not based on specific individuals but a collection of people who could benefit from using this technology.</p>
<p>Our first persona is Alexis Anderson who had a brain stem stroke and cannot use body movement to trigger switches. She uses paper based AAC with a limited group of communication partners who understand how she indicates her selections by blinking. Alexis is frustrated that she can only communicate when one of these communication partners are available. Her current solution also means that she cannot access environment control.</p>
<p>Our second persona is Ben Brown who has MND and currently uses eye gaze when he has the energy to do so. Typically, he has to move to a low-tech solution as he becomes tired throughout the day. Ben is very proficient with his high tech device and has learnt where all his vocabulary is stored. It is very problematic that his access depends on having enough energy to use eye gaze and Ben’s family is worried that he will be not able to access his eye gaze as time goes on.</p>
<p>Ben and Alexis are both examples of people who would benefit from using EyeCommander. Ben could use it when he is tired and he can continue to use the same vocabulary no matter his energy levels. Alexis can use EyeCommander to communicate independently and not be reliant on the presence of a specific communication partner.</p>
<h2>Previous Work</h2>
<p>Detecting an eye blink is something that has been done before, however the solutions don’t work in every scenario which is what lead us to create EyeCommander. Some of the problems we found with solutions that already exist are explained below.</p>
<p>Android recently added a <a href="https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/11150722?hl=en">new accessibility feature</a> to allow users to control their device using eye gestures. It is great and if an individual uses an Android app to communicate then this can be a great option.</p>
<p>Mac computers also have a similar solution built into their operating system, allowing users to trigger switches using blinks or other facial gestures. If you want to access your Mac this way it is a good option. However, we found that the Mac facial gestures don’t allow you to change and calibrate the detection enough for it to work for everyone.</p>
<p>Another similar software solution is <a href="https://smylemouse.com/">SmyleMouse</a>. Like EyeCommander it uses consumer grade hardware to detect facial gestures. However, SmyleMouse doesn’t detect blinks or eye gesture, which we plan on implementing in EyeCommander in the future. Other software solutions exist, include <a href="http://sviacam.sourceforge.net/">SViaCam</a> and <a href="https://github.com/danetomseth/Blink1.5">Blink1.5,</a> but we found they didn’t fully met our needs.</p>
<p><a href="https://getnous.app/">Nous is a hardware device</a> that users wear to detect their blinks. However, we wanted our solution to work on consumer grade hardware that was readily available. There are a variety of other hardware options on the market, such as <a href="http://www.techaccess4you.com/ist-switch/">IST Switch</a>, <a href="https://www.home.eyecontrol.co.il/product">EyeControl</a>, and <a href="https://key2enable.com/produtos/a-blinx/">a-blinx</a>.</p>
<p>The main difference between EyeCommander and these previous solutions is that it allows you to control Windows devices and will work with the computer you already have meaning you do not have to purchase and maintain new hardware.</p>
<h2>Background</h2>
<p>EyeCommander was initially developed by a group of students and graduates as part of the <a href="https://www.propelprojects.org/">Project Propel program</a> to give them real world experience. They were given the brief to create something that could detect eye gestures using consumer grade hardware.</p>
<p>The group created a machine learning model that could detect when someone looked up, down, left, or right. The machine learning model was trained using a varied set of videos of people doing these gestures. The model was then retrained to individual users so that it worked for them.</p>
<p>The work the group did proved that it is possible to create a very accurate eye gesture detection algorithm.</p>
<p>The current version of EyeCommander doesn’t use the eye gesture model but the plan is to include it in future versions.</p>
<h2><strong>Future of EyeCommander</strong></h2>
<p>EyeCommander will continue to be developed by Ace Centre and the wider AAC community. We have <a href="https://github.com/AceCentre/EyeCommander/projects/1">created a roadmap</a>, with things we want to add and future plans for the project. If you have ideas for us to add please let us know.</p>
<p>We are looking for people to contribute to EyeCommander and to help us add more features. <a href="https://github.com/AceCentre/EyeCommander">If you want to get involved, then check out the code on Github</a>. Have a read through the open issues and comment if you want to be a part of it and we can help you get up and running.</p>
<h2><strong>Feedback</strong></h2>
<p>If you have any feedback on EyeCommander then email me at <a href="mailto:ghenderson@acecentre.org.uk">ghenderson@acecentre.org.uk</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


EyeCommander

<p>EyeCommander is a desktop application that uses the front facing camera of any Windows device to detect when you blink. EyeCommander then uses that blink as a switch input for communication software.</p>


ABC charts - for Listener Mediated Scanning

<p align="center"><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/SsYAjiFRta8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start">﻿</span></iframe></p>
<p>The design of our Ace Centre E-Tran frame has been carefully considered to give the best experience for both user and communication partner.</p>
<p>This ergonomic and lightweight board allows for holding with elbows locked making it more comfortable to use for longer periods than other E-Tran frames. Extensive testing was applied by Ace Centre to find the best font and colours for ease of use and identification of letters.</p>
<p>The text has been printed directly onto the plastic to make it easier to wipe down. It’s manufactured from PET-G, a thermoplastic polyester, which means the Ace Centre E-Tran is longer lasting with improved chemical resistance during decontamination procedures.</p>
<p><b>Features and benefits:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Ergonomic design for comfort</li>
<li>Lightweight and easy to use</li>
<li>Improved chemical resistance for cleaning</li>
<li>Wide central opening for eye contact</li>
<li>Printed and blank options available</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Specification:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Weight: 400g</li>
<li>Dimensions: 377mm wide x 334m high. 3mm thick, 9mm thick at handles</li>
<li>Material: PET-G (thermoplastic polyester)</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Costs: </b></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div>Price exclusive of VAT</div>
</li>
<li>Free shipping</li>
</ul>


Ace Centre E-Tran Frame

Coded ABC chart you can point to

Number encoded ABC you can point to

Colour encoded ABC you can point to

Frequency layout charts - for Listener Mediated Scanning

Combination access ABC

Alphabet Chart Pack - charts you point to

<div class="page" title="Page 1">
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<p>This pack contains ten alphabet charts designed to support face-to-face communication for someone who is able to spell but cannot rely upon speech to communicate.</p>
<p><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable-alphabet-charts"><span class="ui-provider vd b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr">Click here to find read about things to consider when customising this chart. </span></a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi="">Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features</p>
<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi="">Find videos and support materials if you or are a family member requires solutions to help communicate due to a progressive condition such as MND/ALS, PSP, MS, Parkinson&#8217;s disease.</p>
</div>
</div>
</section>


Paper-based resources to support Communication for Adults with Progressive Conditions

<p>This guide provides information about paper-based tools and strategies that can support communication if speech is becoming or has become difficult due to an acquired progressive condition. It is written for people living with such a condition and also for family, carers and relevant professionals.</p>


<p><strong>This fully revised and updated illustrated guide describes what’s required to construct and use a communication book with a preliterate individual.  This second edition builds on all that was good about the original, much loved guide, incorporating the wealth of experience of the full Ace Centre team.  The guide offers clarity for parents, carers and professionals in developing communication books that progressively help people to communicate an increasing number of messages.  </strong></p>
<p>The guide sets out:</p>
<ul>
<li>An updated, stable core vocabulary that is available from every topic page to promote its use.  The core vocabulary is developed through five stages and includes a newly simplified Stage One.</li>
<li>Ideas for developing a fringe vocabulary that can meet an individual’s interests, needs and varied environments, with plenty of examples included.</li>
<li>A continued promotion of the communication of rich ideas through symbols rather than the production of grammatically correct sentences for face-to-face communication.</li>
<li>A new approach to organising pages and accessing vocabulary with a suggested menu, tabs and supports for navigating around the book.</li>
<li>The importance of a communication partner who is taught, through the guide, to use and model the symbols during communication and to support and scaffold the learner’s own communication attempts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="rounded-img wp-image-2831 size-thumbnail aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-20-at-15.44.40-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></div>
<p>The guide itself with its sample pages is presented in an A5 file, but a learner’s communication book can easily be created at A4 size if this is preferred.  Templates for use with most resource making software are available for download along with worksheets to assist in generating page and vocabulary ideas. Download the templates here:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-Ace-Centre-BM6-Templates-2.25.zip">Boardmaker V6 Templates </a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-Ace-Centre-BM7-Templates-2.25.zip">Boardmaker V7 Templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-Ace-Centre-InPrint-3-Templates-2.25.zip">InPrint3 Templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-Ace-Centre-MindExpress-Templates-2.25.zip">MindExpress Templates</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/identifying-vocabulary-to-personalise-aac/">Identifying Vocabulary to personalise my book</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


DUCB - Developing and Using a Communication Book

<p>Look2Talk is the award-winning guide for carers, parents and professionals who need to make and use a communication book for people who communicate using their eyes.</p>
<p>When speech can not be understood, and using hands or fingers to point is difficult, eye pointing to symbols or text can be a fast and effective way of communicating a wide range of messages. The Look2Talk guide is a step-by-step system that introduces symbols at a speed that suits both the learner and their communication partner(s). It emphasises the importance of learning together in fun, relaxed activities where the learner can take control.</p>
<h2>Look2Talk Package</h2>
<p>Look2Talk guidebook is the main element of a complete package containing several elements which include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Guidebook</strong><strong>: </strong>Free online eBook or download as PDF ​</li>
<li><strong>Demonstration Pages: </strong>Free to view electronically or download and print​</li>
<li><strong>Templates: </strong>Free to download as Boardmaker7 or InPrint 3 (coming soon) file</li>
<li><strong>Communication Easel: </strong>A4 and A3 options available from Ability World</li>
<li><strong>Training:</strong> Introductory and Developing levels from Ace Centre Learning ​</li>
</ul>
<h2><b>Look2Talk Guidebook </b></h2>
<p>The original Look2Talk guide was based upon experience gained from the <em>Look2Talk Project</em>, a two year project run by Ace Centre to support and learn from six children and their families who either used or were learning to use their eyes to access symbol communication. The guide was awarded the Sternberg Award for Clinical Innovation in 2008.</p>
<p>This edition of the Look2Talk guide has been fully revised and updated, drawing upon the clinical experience of the full Ace Centre team.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal !msorm;">Available as </span>a free online eBook, which can also be printed as a PDF, and supported by video tutorials and real-life example clips throughout. The guidebook covers all of the essential questions that need to be answered when creating an eye pointing communication book, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>What vocabulary do I put in the book?</li>
<li>How many pictures or symbols do I use on a page?</li>
<li>Where and when do I start to use the book?</li>
<li>How do I develop the book over time?</li>
</ul>
<p>Look2Talk Guidebook complements Ace Centre’s popular Developing and Using a Communication Book manual for people who can finger-point, and both books have similar key concepts:</p>
<ul>
<li>A stable core vocabulary, that is always available and develops through five stages. The suggested core vocabulary, ranging from two symbols at Stage One to forty-one symbols at Stage Five, is drawn from a developmental model of spoken language acquisition, but does not stick rigidly to it.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Guidance on choosing personalised topic vocabulary designed to meet an individual’s interests, needs and varied environments.</li>
<li>An emphasis on the role of the communication partner who is shown, throughout the process, how to use and model the symbols during communication and to support and scaffold the learner’s own communication attempts.</li>
</ul>
<p>We know of no other resource that provides such specific and comprehensive guidance to help this small but important group of people who struggle to communicate.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal !msorm;"><a class="link-button" href="https://docs.acecentre.org.uk/look2talk/">View the Look2Talk Guidebook by clicking here</a> </span></p>
<h2>Look2Talk Demonstration Pages</h2>
<p>The Look2Talk Demonstration Pages contains example communication book pages that aim to bring to life the practices and principles described in the Look2Talk guide. It is designed to be used alongside the guide which provides detailed information about each stage, ideas around readiness, and aims for both the communication partner and the learner.</p>
<p>Interactive versions are available to view online or to download and use in PowerPoint. A PDF version for printing is coming soon!</p>
<p><a class="link-button" href="https://acecentreuk.sharepoint.com/:p:/s/AnonymousShares/EWN9rlMoAJtNr3PAjRtAolIB8IhyPYVD5H65qOI2iNpJUQ">Click here to view online interactive Demonstration Pages</a></p>
<p><a class="link-button" href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Look2Talk-Demonstration-Book-6.23-v2.ppsx">Click here to download interactive Demonstration Pages</a></p>
<h2>Look2Talk <b>Communication B</b><b>ook </b>Templates</h2>
<p>Free downloadable files for creating, personalising and printing pages for an eye pointing communication book.</p>
<p><a class="link-button" href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Look2Talk-Communication-Book-Templates-Ace-Centre-June23.zip">Boardmaker 7 users click here to download templates</a></p>
<p>InPrint3 templates coming soon!</p>
<p><span class="ui-provider gt b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr">Please note: these files download as a .zip files. Please extract the individual template files before opening in your symbol software. </span></p>
<h2>Look2Talk Communication Easel</h2>
<p>An eye pointing communication book is best viewed by the communication book user and their partner when it is displayed on an easel file. As the book can get quite big (and heavy!) it is best that a sturdy easel file is used. We recommend the Communication Easel by Ability World which is available in an A4 as well as A3 version should larger pages be needed.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ability-world.com/a4-communication-easel-5395-p.asp">Click here to view the Ability World A4 Communication Easel</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.ability-world.com/a3-communication-easel-5397-p.asp">Click here to view the Ability World A3 Communication Easel</a></p>
<h2>Look2Talk Introductory Stage Symbols</h2>
<p>Download and print loose &#8220;more&#8221; and &#8220;stop&#8221; symbols to use while helping the learner to understand that they can use their eyes to communicate.</p>
<p><a class="link-button" href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Look2Talk-Introductory-Stage-More-Stop-6.23.zip">Click here to download symbols</a></p>


Look2Talk

Pragmatic-based Auditory scan book

Simon Says

<p>A symbol chart to support communication while playing Simon Says.</p>
<p>It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
<p>Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.</p>


Sing Old McDonald 8 Intro to encoding

<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi="">Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features</p>
<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi="">For a more general all round introduction to low tech symbol based AAC, you could see another resource in this AAC Information Series, Getting Started with AAC: Using low tech symbol based systems with children.</p>


Access to paper-based symbol resources when pointing is difficult

<p>The aim of this resource is explore access to low tech symbol based AAC when accessing standard resources is difficult physically or visually. It is aimed at people who are familiar with low tech AAC, but want to find out more about how to adjust and adapt the resources to meet individual needs.</p>


ABC with Symbols

Colour encoded - UPPER case - for eye pointing

Encoded chart with ABC and numbers you can point to

Number encoded - UPPER case - for eye pointing

Alphabet flip chart

Frequency layout (fitaly) you can point to

<p>Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features</p>
<p>Please note that this resource is not suggesting that low tech is ‘best’, or that low tech is a prerequisite to a more high tech communication aid. It is simply about valuing the role of paper based communication systems, and sharing lots of ideas and strategies to help develop and support them. You may well find that many of the ideas and strategies are useful when it comes to other forms of communication too.</p>


Designing and using alphabet charts

<p>The aim of this resource is help you design and use alphabet charts with people who can’t rely on speech, enabling them to communicate to the best of their ability. Through communication we can express ourselves, learn, have fun, and be active members of society</p>


<p>There are a huge array of apps available on app stores and a wide range of solutions from commercial suppliers to help you communicate when you are literate and want to ‘type out a message’.</p>
<p>We’re often asked which resource is “best” but there is nothing that’s “best” for everyone!<br />
Instead, to help you find the right solution for you, it’s worthwhile to think about what features these AAC resources have and think about what features you need. <b>Follow the link above for all the video and resources. </b></p>


Understanding the Features of Electronic Text Based AAC

<p><span data-contrast="auto"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-23843 aligncenter" src="https://acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-300x64.jpg" alt="" width="221" height="47" srcset="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-300x64.jpg 300w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-1024x219.jpg 1024w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-768x165.jpg 768w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-640x137.jpg 640w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-600x129.jpg 600w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002.jpg 1055w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A free resource to support </span><span data-contrast="auto">Teachers, </span><span data-contrast="auto">Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists,</span> <span data-contrast="auto">etc. to have a discussion about ‘Readiness for AAC’ with their clients. </span><span data-contrast="auto">Th</span><span data-contrast="auto">e </span><span data-contrast="auto">resource was funded by Ace Centre and </span><span data-contrast="auto">created collaboratively with <a href="http://www.talkingmats.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Talking Mats</a></span><span data-contrast="auto">.  </span><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/project/talking-mats-for-aac/">Learn more about the project here </a></p>


A brush strokeResources

Resources