TouchChat fits into the category of assistive technology known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
WORDPOWER AAC UPGRADE
Additional languages such as Canadian French, Hebrew and Arabic can be purchased in the Upgrade Store. TouchChat HD with WordPower includes both English and Spanish options in a universal app supporting iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad®. WordPower is a word-based vocabulary that allows for easy and intuitive communication, while WordPower with Phrases incorporates phrases for easier language generation. This version of TouchChat is bundled with the WordPower™ series of AAC vocabularies designed by Nancy Inman. TouchChat is designed for individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, ALS, apraxia, stroke, or other conditions that affect a person's ability to use natural speech. This is a great way to get your designs out but still be able to host them where you choose, whether that's GitHub, Instructables, Dropbox or elsewhere.Īll of these design have been developed at the ACE Centre, one of the specialised hubs for AAC in England.TouchChat is a full-featured communication solution for individuals who have difficulty using their natural voice. I'm also using the OpenAssistive portal to collate open assistive technology designs. If you have worked on a touch guide not featured here, please share it.
WORDPOWER AAC FULL SIZE
Some companies such as Active Design in the UK can manufacture one off touch guides to the designs shown here, or your own designs.ĭevices change frequently, so I would recommend printing the dxf file at full size onto acetate and offering up to the device with intended vocabulary to check the keys are in the correct place. You local maker space or worksop may also have facilities. Many local manufacturers will be able to manufacture touchguides on a CNC or laser cutting machine. Laser cutting of plastics does produced a cleaner, almost polished edge, but you cannot chamfer the edges to reduce their sharpness. The dxf files can be used to laser cut a touch guide in alternative materials, such as acrylic. Typically, a chamfer would be added to the edge of each key at 45 degrees to remove the edge, typically to a depth of almost half the material thickness. We would typically use 2mm thick PET-G material for its durability and better chemcial resistance. These touch guides have been designed to be manufactured on a CNC machine. It is normally clear which device the touch guide is for by the folder name. For some, I've also included an stl file and an image. I've included for most touch guides a dxf file that can be used to manufacture the touch guide using a CNC machine.
WORDPOWER AAC SOFTWARE
This is a hardware, not a software repository. These are often very similar but typically use larger openings on thicker 3mm material. I've also created a repository for keyguards.
A touch guide is a piece of clear plastic that covers the screen of the device with cutouts for the areas that need to be tocuhed to activate a command or generate speech. This can help improve their accuracy and reduce mishits or unintended activations of the screeen and can make communication faster and more efficient. Some people who directly access (touch) an AAC device to help them communication benefit from using a touch guide to help guide their touches.
Touch Guides for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
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