Alphabet Charts & Books

ABC spelling charts

Alphabet communication book templates

Alphabets you can eye point to

Alphabets you can point to

Charts with the alphabet + some words and phrases to point to

Coded alphabet charts

Encoded alphabet charts

Frequency layout spelling charts

High contrast charts

Letter codes

Listener Mediated Scanning

QWERTY alphabet charts

Education resources

Developing Access Methods

Implementation

Literacy

Seasonal

Info & Apps

Access

Digital Publications

E-Books

Getting Started

Language(s)

Software

Learning

Communication

Developing

Education

Engineering

Introductory

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

Symbol Charts

Communication Books

Core

Creative

Daily Routines

Leisure

Older Learners

Play

Younger Learners

Clues Book

Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources

Supporting Communication for People with Aphasia

A5 Communication Book you can point to

This resource is designed to facilitate the creation of a pack of paper-based AAC resources for adults with acquired communication needs or learning disabilities, who have limited literacy, benefit from and can point to symbols. It includes guidance, demonstration materials and customisable templates (using Microsoft PowerPoint) to allow for creation of personalised resources supported with symbols and images including:  
 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Communication Book </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">About Me Book </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Memories Book </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">My News </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Pain Scale </li>
</ul>
 
A fictious profile called &#8220;Sue Sample&#8221; is also provided illustrating how these resources are intended to be used and have been personalised to support her communication following a stroke.

Communication Pack for Adults who Benefit from Symbol Support

Kerplunk

Bubbles

Blocks

Dressing up

Turn Taking

Balloons

Tea Time

Train Play

Dolly

Mr Potato Head

Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features
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.
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

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.

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.
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>.
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>
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.
More info:
Basic Math
<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>
Scientific Functions
<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>
Random Numbers
<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>
Algebraic Expressions
<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>
Memory Operations
<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>
Line References with @
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.
<ol>
<li>10 + 5 = 15</li>
<li>20 + 12.5 = 32.5</li>
<li>@2−@1 → (32.5)−(15) = 17.5</li>
</ol>
Examples
<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>
The calculator will show both your expression with @ references and the expanded calculation with actual values.
Keyboard Shortcuts
<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>
Tips
<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>
Video Demonstration:
<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

What is AAC?

Who Needs AAC?

When to Start with AAC?

AAC in Action: Tasty Traditions

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. 
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:
<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>
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.

A Guide to Writing an Effective AAC Policy in Education Settings

Free online eBook or download as PDF

Pragmatic Auditory Scan Communication Book

The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

Alphabet Chart Pack - charts you point to

This pack includes:
<ul>
<li>Using a Clues Book help sheet (PDF)</li>
<li>Sample Clues Book with Widgit symbol support (PDF)</li>
<li>Sample Clues Book with text (PDF)</li>
<li>InPrint3 templates for creating a Clues Book with Widgit symbol support</li>
<li>Boardmaker 7 template for creating a Clues Book with PCS symbol support</li>
<li>MS Word template for creating a text based Clues Book</li>
</ul>

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.

Designing and using alphabet charts

High contrast ABC flip book - for Listener Mediated Scanning

PDF Black text on yellow background

Word Template Black text on yellow background

PDF Yellow text on red background

Word Template Yellow text on red background

Alphabet flip chart

Word Document

Access to paper-based symbol resources when pointing is difficult

Listener Mediated Scanning ABC Chart Pack

Coaching Communication Partners

Editable templates for creating a Pragmatic Auditory Scan Communication Book designed to support individuals who find pointing difficult by offering an auditory partner assisted scanning to express messages. Flexible and easy to personalise, the resource follows a pragmatic organisational structure and can be edited in Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides. Includes both colour and monochrome versions, plus an introductory help sheet.
This is an updated version (2026).

Look2Talk

Simon Says

Ace Centre E-Tran Frame

Sing Old McDonald 8 Intro to encoding

Chat about TV

Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features
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.

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.

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

Frequency layout (fitaly) you can point to

Colour encoded ABC you can point to

Coded ABC chart you can point to

Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features
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.

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

Implementing the Pragmatics Profile

Implementing the Pragmatics Profile

Framework for Switch Assessment

Introducing Echo: The AAC app for easier communication. Auditory scanning, dual voices, and multiple access options. Accessible and inclusive.
Echo is an AAC app designed for those with a visual difficulty and physical difficulty to access communication.
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.
Echo provides you with two different voices, one for your auditory cues and the another to represent your voice.
You can access Echo using the following methods.
<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>
We have plans to extend this in the future to allow for more access methods.

Echo

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

Getting Started with Core Words

<h1 class="m-t-0 page-title">Supporting Literacy with AAC</h1>

Supporting Literacy with AAC

<h1 class="m-t-0 page-title">AAC Assessment Tools</h1>

AAC Assessment Tools

<h1 class="m-t-0 page-title">Communication Partners</h1>

Communication Partners

<h1 class="m-t-0 page-title">Access Methods: Voice</h1>

Access Methods: Voice

A brush strokeResources

Resources