Q: What communication system does Sidney use and how does she use it?

Sidney is a two-switch scanner that she accesses with her head-array. Her head-array consists of proximity switches which means she just has to get close to activate it. ASL (Adaptive Switch Labs www.asl-inc.com) is the company which designs these great systems.

Sidney uses a PRC Accent device with Nuvoice. The Unity® language system is the most established AAC language system in the industry and uses Minspeak® icons. Minspeak® system is a way of representing language through icons. It groups verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and nouns in a logical way. It also groups things that Sid uses a lot like foods, questions, greetings, people and places. There are spelling pages and number pages, and it can be customized.

Q: What is AAC?

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is used by people who, some or all of the time, cannot rely on their speech. AAC incorporates the individual's full communication abilities and may include any existing speech or vocalizations, gestures, manual signs, and aided communication. AAC is truly multimodal, permitting individuals to use every mode possible to communicate.

Find out more: https://www.asha.org/njc/aac/

Q: What is Out and About?

Out and About is a Community Group for AAC users, their families, friends, therapists, teachers and mentors. We welcome people who use AAC of all ages, using any communication device or language system. Sidney and Mary Anne host the Out and About outings in East and Central Valley.

If you want to join you can email us: travelingtalkertime@gmail.com