5 Assistive Apps That Make Communicating Easier

Tecla enables users with limited upper body mobility to launch and play their favourite apps on smart devices. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite accessibility applications that make it easier to communicate with the world around you!

1. SayIt!

Who it’s for: people with ALS, cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke or Parkinson's disease or other diagnoses that impair the ability to communicate.

SayIt! is an iOS application that helps disabled people speak. The current version is very simple but version 1.1 will include word prediction. Users can use abbreviated words and word prediction to find the word they are looking for. So, for example, if the user types "abt", the word "about" will be predicted. SayIt! is fully accessible with Switch Control. 

2. My Talks Tool Mobile

Who it’s for: people with ALS, cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke or Parkinson's disease or other diagnoses that impair the ability to communicate.

MyTalkTools Mobile enables users to express their needs in verbal communication using a variety of images, symbols, video and text-to-speech audio files. With over 100,000 users, My Talk Tools Mobile is definitely one of the most popular apps for a complete solution to overcoming communication difficulties. One feature that’s really neat is it contains local content that is accessible to the user without needing wifi or data. If the $139.99CAD price tags throws you off, there is a free version called My Talk Tools Mobile Lite that is a good option to test the app out and see if it fits your needs.

3. Hear You Now

Who it’s for: people with hearing impairments.

Gone are the days of having to repeat “what did you say” 3 or 4 times with the app MyVoice. It can be particularly frustrating to live with hearing impairments in public spaces like restaurants, cafes, concerts and movie theatres, but MyVoice was designed to work just like a typical hearing aid. By attaching headphones to your smartphone, sound is controlled and amplified per ear, with three frequency bands tuned towards speech understanding and the option to optimize foreground or background sounds. Best of all, it’s free!

4. Predictable

Who it’s for: Who it’s for: people with ALS, cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke or Parkinson's disease or other diagnoses that impair the ability to communicate

If you’re looking for text-based assistive communication that generates you voice the quickest - Predictable is the app for you. Predictable uses intelligent word prediction to provide word options on a keyboard to limit the amount of typing it takes to write a sentence or phrase to be spoken by the app. It’s on the pricier side at $219.99CAD but has features that make up for it. It supports switch access, including the use of the entire screen as a switch, is accessible via Bluetooth switch box and has an app for Apple Watch.

5. Proloquo2Go

Who it’s for: people with ALS, cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke or Parkinson’s disease or other diagnoses that impair the ability to communicate

Proloquo2Go is the only AAC app that combines unique features, such as research-based vocabulary levels, (activity) templates to support motor-planning, ExpressivePower™ to express yourself and full bilingual support. And all that with minimal customization effort!

Proloquo2Go is designed to ensure the growth of communication skills and to promote language development. It covers all users, from beginning to advanced users, while catering for a wide range of fine-motor, visual and cognitive skills. 

6. Bonus App: Dating4Disabled

Who it’s for: Anyone who identifies as having a disability and is looking for love.

Nowadays, practically everyone has tried a dating app such as Tinder or Bumble to meet someone special, but not everyone feels like they are an inclusive atmosphere to express themselves. Enter Dating4Disabled, a dating app and matchmaking service exclusively for English speaking people with disabilities to connect from the comfort of their homes. Members can register for free to find either love or friendship via the internet.

Related Articles:

• 9 Surprising Things Quadriplegics can do with an iPhone or iPad
• iPhone and iPad accessibility options for quadriplegics and other users with limited mobility
• 4 Ways Quadriplegics Can Use An Ipad or iPhone
• Siri vs iOS Switch Control for hands free iPhone access
• Using iPad AAC apps with switch control for speech and motor impairments 

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