Communication boards are picture based communication aids that help people who have difficulty communicating their needs verbally.
A communication difficulty may include:
- being unable to talk
- difficulty comprehending or understanding instructions
- speech that is difficult to understand.
Communication boards are made or adapted to suit a person’s specific communication needs using object pictures, photographs, written words, line drawings or picture symbols created by specialised computer programs. The boards can range from simple non verbal communicator boards with few or many pictures or symbols; to boards that have speech output when a picture, symbol or word is pressed. Some smaller communication boards can be worn by the person on their hip. Communication boards can be operated using a range of switch devices or be linked to a computer screen to be operated by eye blink, eye gaze or sip/puff mechanisms.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Communication boards can be a useful communication tool within the workplace for people who have a communication difficulty and can be personalised to suit the individual and the workplace. They can assist the individual to:
- decrease communication frustrations with others
- enable individuals to request assistance and communicate their needs
- increase general participation in the workplace
- take part in meetings.
Symbols and pictures are arranged on a board from left to right just as a written sentence would be structured on a page. The boards should include a variety of vocabulary to enable the individual to create as many sentences as possible.
The Victorian Taxi Directorate have recently developed Talking Taxis Communication Boards which are picture based tools to enable taxi drivers to communicate more effectively with passengers with disabilities or English as a second language. There are three types of Talking Taxis Communication Boards:
- picture communication board—has key emotions and messages such as how the passenger is feeling, how they will pay the fare and emergency alerts
- alphabet communication board—has a full QWERTY keyboard to enable passengers to type their destination
- tourism communication board—has key destinations and tourist places in the area.
For more information about alternative communication aids see the links below:
References
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2011, Buyers Guide – Communication Boards and Symbols, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 13 May 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search4.asp?State=ACT&MC=61&MinC=1&Item=2550&page=1.
Northcott Computer Assistive Technology Services 2008, Using Communication Boards to Facilitate Expressive Language Skills, Northcott Computer Assistive Technology Services, Parramatta, viewed 13 May 2011, http://www.northcottcats.com.au/tutorials/pdfs/communication_ideas/non-technology_ideas/using_communication_boards.pdf.
Scope 2008, Communication Aids, Scope, Box Hill, viewed 13 May 2011, http://www.scopevic.org.au/index.php/site/resources/communicationaids#Communication%20displays.
Technical Solutions (no date specified), Communication aids, Technical Solutions Australia, Silvan, viewed 13 May 2011, http://www.tecsol.com.au/ComAids.htm.
Victoria Department of Transport 2011, Talking Taxis Communication Boards, State Government of Victoria, viewed 13 May 2011, http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/vehicles.nsf/AllDocs/7454899865ABF8BDCA25752200057DE3?OpenDocument.