Suggested equipment for creating accessible communication

On this page you will find information about some pieces of assistive technology equipment that we think would be useful for schools. We have highlighted devices, software and apps that provide a way for children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) to communicate, access and participate in their learning.

Talking Buttons

The symbolised Bookbug resources on this webiste include ready-made labels to use with simple talking button communication devieces called ‘LITTLEmacks, BIGmacks, LITTLE Step-by-Steps and BIG Step-by-Steps’. They are powered by 9V rectangle batteries and can record speech music or sounds. The ‘LITTLEmacks’ have a smaller surface area and sit at a 45 degree angle. The ‘BIGmacks’ have a larger, flatter surface area.

The Big and Little Step-by-Step devices allow you to record either one message or a sequence of messages, one after the other. Each time the button is pressed the next message in the sequence will play aloud.

There are also talking buttons with other playback modes such as ‘randomised’, so you are able to use the device for lots of different learning communication and activities. E.g., a talking dice, commenting on a story, saying ‘turn the page’, telling a joke. See our ’20 Ways to Be Excellent Poster for ideas and instructions. To find out more about the range of talking button devices which are available, see our ‘Guide to Single and Multi-Message Devices.

Any of these devices can be used with the Bookbug Picture Books to record a repeated phrase from a story, allowing a learner with a communication difficulty to join in with the story.

Multi-level Communication Devices

The symbolised Bookbug Resources also include overlays for a ‘GoTalk 9+’. The GoTalk9+ is a simple battery operated communication device. Rather than 1 message, you can record 12 different messages to create a set of vocabulary words and phrases. There are 5 ‘levels’ in a GoTalk9+, meaning that you can pre-record up to 5 different sets of vocabulary words.

To help your learner understand that the messages carry meaning you slide the overaly under the grid, so that each message is represented by text, spoken word and/or symbol. You can store several overlays in the pocket at the side of the GoTalk, making it simple to swap when you change levels.

Symbol software packages such as Matrix Maker Plus, Boardmaker and Widgit include blank templates for GoTalk overlays which can save a lot of time creating your own. This means you can quickly create symbolised overlays for any topic and set of vocabulary. Alternatively, you can create a blank template in Google Docs or Microsoft Word and paste in your own photographs, symbols and text.

You can download a blank GoTalk 9+ for Template for Word or Google Docs.

The BookBug P1 Family Bag resources have versions of the story boards which can be used on an iPad with an app called 'SoundingBoard'. Look for the 'SoundingBoard' icon and click to download the board.

Symbol Software

Symbols for All resources are created with various symbol software packages. There are many advantages to using symbol software to create learning and teaching resources. Your school or education authority may already have decided on a particular symbol set. Traditionally in Scotland many schools have used 'Picture Communication Symbols' (PCS). PCS are the symbol set which you find in Boardmaker Software. Our symbolised BookBug resources use a symbol set called 'SymbolStix'. SymbolStix symbols are available in various symbol software programmes like MatrixMaker Plus and SymbolStixPrime. Many schools with older learners use the 'Widgit' symbol set. Widgit symbols are available in various symbols software programmes like InPrint 3 and Widgit Online. If you are thinking about purchasing symbol software there are several questions you will need to ask to ensure you buy the most appropriate option for your setting.

Key Questions and Considerations

• How to pay for it; will it be a one-off purchase, or is there a budget for an annual subscription?
• How the installation of the software will be managed; will it be installed via a licence code online? Does the software have to be installed by IT services? If so, is there an additional cost for this?
• What's the end goal; do you want to create printed resources only or have the option to create interactive resources to use on a PC, tablet or Interactive Whiteboard?
• How will staff make resources; do you want staff to be able to access the software online, at home or on school computers only?
• Storing resources; does the software use online cloud storage? Do your school and local authority have the necessary Data Impact Assessments (DPIA) to comply with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)?
• Training; how will your staff learn to use the software? Who will be responsible for managing problems and training new staff? Is there time built into your school improvement plan to train staff to be confident users of the software?
• Accessing symbol resources; how will you organise access to symbol resources which staff create? Will you set up a system of shared folders? Accessed via online cloud storage or a shared drive on your school computer system?
• Sharing symbol resources; do the software licence terms allow users to share resources they've made? Do you want to share resources with families at home? If so, how - via pen and paper, email, or a link to online cloud storage?

Windows

Software	Symbol Set	Printed	Interactive	Licence Options	Product type	Free trial?
ARASAAC	ARASAAC	Yes	No	Free	Online in a web browser	NA
Boardmaker 7 Subscription	Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)	Yes	Yes	Personal: $9.99 per month or $99 per year Professional: $19.99 per month or $199 per year	Software download	60 days
Boardmaker 7 One-Off Purchase	Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)	Yes	Yes	£299 (two installations)	Software download	30 days
InPrint 3	Widigt Symbols	Yes	No	Basic: £205 per year (5 installations)	Software download	21 days
LessonPix	LessonPix Unity	Yes	Yes	$36 per year per user Group Licensing options are available with discounts for 10+ users	Online in a web browser with a username and password	Free samples available
Matrix Maker Plus	SymbolSti,x Widgit, IT Media	Yes	No	£169 per user for up to 4 users £129 per user for 5-9 users £119 per user for 10-19 users £109 per user for 20 to 49 users £99 per user for 50+ users	Software download	14 days
SymbolStix Prime	Widgit	Yes	Yes	£149	Online in a web browser with a user name and password	30 days
SymWriter	Widgit	Yes	Yes	£149	Software download	21 days
Twinkl Symbols	Twinkl Symbols	Yes	No	Individual 'Core' Membership: £4.49 per month School Membership for up to 10 users: £41.67 per month Other pricing options are available for individuals and for larger schools	Online in a web browser with a username and password	Create a free account to access some resrouces
Widgit Online	Widgit	Yes	Yes	Home Users: £6 per month or £60 per year School Accounts for Class/Teacher £20 per month or £200 per year Other pricing options are available for 3 and 5-year subscriptions and for Small/Medium and Large schools	Online in a web browser with a user name and password	21 days

iOS and iPadOS

App	Symbol Set	Printed	Interactive	Cost
Symbol Overlay Maker	Symbol Stix	Yes	No	Free
Twinkl Symbols	Twinkl Symbols	Yes	Yes	Free
iESLp	LessonPix	Yes	No	£17.99

In addition to the above symbol sets which are available in commercial software packages and apps, there are some free to use symbol sets. These free symbol sets can be used as graphics which you can insert into documents like Word and Publisher to create printed symbols resources and communication boards.

• The Mulberry Symbol Set can be downloaded in a zip file, PDF or accessed on a web page.
• The Open Symbols website has a searchable database of all the symbols which are freely downloadable for use with people who have communication difficulties.
• Easyonthei have produced a free image bank of over 3500 symbols, many are health and medical related. You can search by category and download individual symbols as .png files.