ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS
Learn How These Advocates Use Apps to Talk
Over the past 30 years, digital augmentative alternative communication (AAC) tools have empowered those who cannot reliably use speech to operate independently and develop a new sense of self.
For Global Accessibility Awareness Day, three renowned AAC advocates explain, in their own words, how apps have enabled them to educate communities and change the system.
Aloysius Gan
Para Games Gold Medalist in Boccia
Singapore
Even at the age of 3, other than saying simple words like “Papa” or “Mama,” I could not pronounce any other words due to lack of the coordination of my tongue muscles. My family usually asked questions and I would either nod or shake my head to express myself.
As I grew older, some would look at me strangely as I was sitting in a stroller. They probably assumed I was pampered or too lazy to walk around. There was no way for me to defend myself as I couldn’t communicate properly with other people.
One of the proudest moments for me is when I texted my mum ‘I have reached the school by myself.’
—Aloysius Gan
So my mum started to explore ways of communication for me. She found a special type of keyboard called an IntelliKey, which was connected to a computer. I used this to do my homework and type out answers during exams.
But the keyboard was too bulky, and I wanted to find something I could use with iPhone or iPad. Then I was introduced to an app called Proloquo2Go to allow me to talk to other people.
It was very challenging in the beginning as I spent a lot of time scrolling through the options to find the right answer to respond to people. I created new buttons to express what I would like to say.
It took a lot of trial and error, but with the app I can now lead my boccia teammates through warm-up sessions.
One of my recent challenges was persuading my parents to allow me to take the public bus to commute between home and school. The teachers and my parents have accompanied me on the same route many times, but they hadn’t reached a stage where they believed I could do it myself.
With the help of apps like Life360 (which connects families with real-time location updates) and SBS Transit (Singapore’s public transit app), I finally can persuade them to allow me to do it myself.
One of the proudest moments for me is when I texted my mum “I have reached the school by myself.”
Gan’s tips for using Proloquo2Go
My advice to new users is to first create a “frequent use” vocabulary list (with words like “hello” and “thank you”), then as you progress, slowly add to the list.
Create separate folders for each activity. For example, I have one folder as a team warm-up leader. I created a new folder for job interviews.
Jordyn Zimmerman
Educator, presenter, and advocate
United States
Growing up with autism from a young age, I went from specialist to specialist. My parents always talk about these years with hesitation, describing someone who was clingy and withdrawn. As I had difficulty communicating, it was assumed I didn’t want to be around others and that I didn’t have things to contribute.
As time went on, things got harder. My emotions were building up each day, only evident through my “challenging” behaviors. Without a reliable form of communication, I never felt a true sense of belonging.
I have now graduated college with a master’s degree…and sit on a presidential committee. All the apps I use are critical to my daily being.
—Jordyn Zimmerman
But there was so much more inside me. I was a dynamic thinker and I had thoughts no one could imagine. Despite what people thought of me, I was a full person. I was studying each moment, each person who interacted with me (or chose not to), and the systemic barriers around me. My body and brain were craving interaction and stimulation.
Then in January 2014 I was formally introduced to iPad. Sitting between an attorney from the state’s protection and advocacy agency, who was advocating on my behalf, and my mom, I began slowly to touch pictures and share my experiences.
Typing through Proloquo2Go and then Proloquo4Text was world-altering. An iPad paired with a communication app is such a powerful combination. It can provide access to a basic human need and right, which is communication.
Just when I had navigated one thought, I realized it was connected to so much more that I hadn’t been able to share for years. Not only did I realize I was going to need to be able to interact with people who didn’t care about whether I thrived or failed, I also wanted to be an advocate—not only for myself in the moment but also for others.
Zimmerman’s essential apps
Initially I became fairly proficient in the typing view in Proloquo2Go but craved something more. Proloquo4Text combined the typing and stored-symbol-phrases view. Now I use it to communicate from morning until night! The stored history and the ability to go back to a conversation are important nuances in conversational exchanges that folks don’t realize.
I collaborate in Freeform (a real-time visual collaboration and brainstorming app) on iPad Pro to not only organize my day but also to share space with friends as we doodle, write, and discuss everything from trips to big issues.
Bradley Heaven
Cofounder, All Access Life
Canada
When I was born, I lacked oxygen to my brain, which led to the diagnosis of nonverbal dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
There are different variations of cerebral palsy and everyone is affected differently. I have one of the most severe cases. My diagnosis meant I would have trouble controlling my speech, movement, and posture, I wouldn’t be able to speak, and I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I need assistance with all daily tasks like getting dressed, brushing my teeth, eating, going to the restroom, and showering.
My diagnosis was scary for my family, especially my mom and dad. They didn’t know what my life would be like or if I would be able to understand what was happening around me. At the age of 3 I cried during the movie The Fox and the Hound, when the lady dropped the fox off into the wild. From that moment my parents knew I could understand!
My introduction to the world of augmentative and alternative communication was a low-tech communication book. Someone would assist me by pointing at different symbols and I would nod or shake my head to make a selection.
I also had a few symbols on my wheelchair tray I would stare at intentionally when I needed something urgent: I need to go to the restroom, I need a drink, I’m hungry, I’m uncomfortable, etc. I loved being able to express myself and let people know what I was thinking.
When I discovered communication apps, I realized how empowering they were.
—Bradley Heaven
People would assume when I was growing up that because I was nonverbal I couldn’t understand them. This led people to talk to the person with me, rather than directly to me. Or they would talk very slowly or in a babyish tone. This was very frustrating!
One of my biggest challenges was how long it would take me to communicate. For example, typing something like “Hi, my name is Bradley” would take upwards of three minutes.
When I discovered communication apps, I realized how empowering they were. I could finally express myself autonomously when I wanted to. I could make custom pages with things I needed to say quickly, and create others about my favorite TV shows or topics I had in school. Communication apps allowed me to express myself the way I wanted.
I mainly use TD Talk to communicate. It has a standard QWERTY keyboard layout with four word-prediction buttons. It also has 12 programmable buttons to save custom messages. For example, I have “Yes” and “No” on my main page, so I can quickly give a response.
The other 10 buttons I keep for presentations or making YouTube videos. I’ll type my lines in advance and save them into these 10 buttons. All I have to do is look at the button I want and it will speak out the entire message I pretyped.
TD Talk has been especially critical for me this past year for Zoom meetings. Since I run All Access Life, whose mission is to empower people with disabilities to live their best life, I am often in business meetings on Zoom. I can share my screen with the attendees so they can watch as I type in TD Talk. This has made it much easier for me to communicate! Having the attendees see what I am typing takes the stress away, since I don’t feel rushed in getting out my thoughts. They can see whether I am typing or not and give me time to respond.
One of the most memorable conversations I’ve had using TD Talk was when I met another AAC user at a conference in Orlando. We immediately hit it off! We were cracking jokes and laughing hysterically. It was such a captivating conversation that a crowd formed watching us interact. He was using the TD Snap app, and I was using TD Talk. It was a moment I’ll never forget. He and I still communicate on a regular basis.
We are living in a generation where we have the technology and tools to live fulfilling lives. Follow your passion and dreams. There are no limits!
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