Unveiling the Next Era of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Technology - Courtesy of AssistiveWare
In 2023, AssistiveWare, a leading innovator in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology, launched the next generation of AAC apps – Proloquo and Proloquo Coach. These groundbreaking apps, released in 2022, have since become a beacon of hope for many individuals with speech impairments.
At the heart of this success is Proloquo, an app designed to empower users like Jay, a third-grade student who uses Proloquo as a means of communication due to being nonspeaking. Jay's classmates also use Proloquo to interact with him, bridging the gap between ability and disability in a remarkable way.
Proloquo's innovative features include a large vocabulary of over 12,000 words, about three times more than other AAC apps, and 49 text-to-speech voices. The built-in keyboard makes Jay's options limitless, allowing him to choose almost any word he wants. The app also helps users build phrases or sentences, learn related words, and expand their language and grammar.
For Jay, Proloquo is not just a communication tool, but a platform for learning and practice. He uses it to practice speaking and learn new words, making strides in his academic and social life.
Apple's Guided Access setting has significantly improved the potential of Proloquo by keeping the focus on learning and communicating. Apple's new accessibility features, including Assistive Access for people with cognitive disabilities and Personal Voice for those at risk of losing their ability to speak, further enhance the app's accessibility.
AssistiveWare's apps also support VoiceOver and Switch Control for users who are blind or low vision, or have limited mobility. This commitment to inclusivity is a testament to AssistiveWare's mission to make communication accessible to all.
Behind this mission is David Niemeijer, the founder and CEO of AssistiveWare, who has been leading the company since its inception in 2000. AssistiveWare's team includes researchers, AAC experts, designers, developers, and quality assurance engineers, with a total of 62 employees worldwide.
Proloquo Coach provides families and educators with tools to support children and students in their learning. One of its standout features is unlimited sharing capability, allowing Jay's teachers, extended family, and classmates to access the app on their personal devices for free.
Despite the progress made, the stigma around AAC remains the biggest hurdle for its users, according to Niemeijer. He hopes for a shift towards respecting this technology and breaking down the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the communication they need.
Proloquo2Go, an earlier AAC app by AssistiveWare, has over 300,000 users worldwide, a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and accessibility. As AssistiveWare continues to integrate new features into their apps, the future of AAC technology looks bright indeed.
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