communication

Organisations
Sign Languages
Technology/AAC


ACE Centre Advisory Trust, The	The ACE Centre Advisory Trust. If you are the parent or carer of someone who struggles to speak because of complex physical disabilities, our charity offer advice, information and support for both you and the person you care for. We can introduce communication technology that could make that vital difference - technology like the 'talking' device used by Stephen Hawking, for example. And because communication is a two-way process, we can train the people supporting the person you care for to use the equipment in the most effective way possible.	www.ace-centre.org.uk

Afasic	Afasic aims to increase awareness and recognition of communication impairments leading to early assessments and diagnosis, and better educational provision ,employment and training prospects for children and young people. Provides advice, information and support, including A telephone helpline, newsletters three times a year, seminars, workshops for parents and professionals. Has self-help groups throughout the country, and is a Membership Organisation.	www.afasicengland.org.uk

Association of British Sign Language	Association of British Sign Language Tutors and Assessors (ABSLTA) provides a wide range of information & advice for those involved in or interested in the teaching & assessing of British Sign Language	www.abslta.org.uk

Association of Sign Language	Association of Sign Language Interpreter (ASLI) is the professional association and support network for British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our membership includes those who work as interpreters and Deaf and hearing people who support our aims.	www.asli.org.uk

Communication Forum	It is estimated that there are 2.5 million people in the UK with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). This site is designed to promote awareness and knowledge of SLCN, and to be the UK's national information resource for people with SLCN, their carers and service providers.	www.communicationsforum.org.uk

Communication Matters	Communication Matters is dedicated to creating a world where everyone has a right to a ‘voice’ through the provision of equipment and ongoing support services.	www.communicationmatters.org.uk

Communication Passports	Person-centred booklet for those who cannot easily speak for themselves. A way of making sense of formal assessment information and recording the important things about a person.	www.communicationpassports.org.uk

DELTA	DELTA, Deaf Education through Listening and Talking, is a voluntary association of young deaf adults, the families and teachers of deaf children. DELTA is a national charity which supports and develops the Natural Aural Approach to the education of deaf children.	deafeducation.org.uk


Association of British Sign Language Tutors & Assessors	Association of British Sign Language Tutors and Assessors (ABSLTA) provides a wide range of information & advice for those involved in or interested in the teaching & assessing of British Sign Language	www.abslta.org.uk

British Sign Language	A guide to British Sign Language. Includes signs demonstrated by very experienced users, and teachers, of British Sign Language, by moving pictures that clearly show the method of signing, plus a detailed description. Examples are given on this website, although the graphics have been reduced in size to reduce download time.	www.britishsignlanguage.com

BSL Dictionary	BSL Dictionary	www.learnbsl.org

British Sign Language Resources	A website with British Sign Language resources, including online courses and finger spelling.	www.british-sign.co.uk

Cued Speech Association	Cued Speech Association UK provides information about and training in Cued Speech, a simple system which uses eight hand shapes in four positions around the mouth, together with the lip shapes of normal speech, to totally clarify lip reading for deaf babies, children and adults.	www.cuedspeech.co.uk

Makaton	Makaton is a language programme for children and adults with communication and learning difficulties, enabling them to interact with others. Makaton uses signs, symbols and speech to develop communication, language and literacy skills. The Makaton Charity provides training, resources, and a free family advisory service. Email: info@makaton.org Main Office Tel: 01276 606760	www.makaton.org

Pagent Gorman	The Pagent Gorman Society is a charitable trust dedicated to helping children with specific speech and language disorders. Its work depends on voluntary enthusiasts, among whom are parents, teachers and others who use Pagent Gorman Signed Speech (PGSS). The Society provides information and advice on PGSS for parents and professionals. It runs courses and classes by arrangement, and maintains standards of signing and authorises new signs. A variety of booklets and manuals are produced. (We couldn't find a website, if anyone knows of one, please let us know! - they can be e-mailed at: pru@speechandlanguagetherapyservices.com

Pyramid Educational Consultants UK	The UK branch of Pyramid Educational Consultants. Established to provide high quality training, consultation and support to parents, carers and professionals involved with children & adults with communication difficulties. In addition to training workshops on PECS and the Pyramid Approach, they offer a variety of consultation services based in the home, school, community and also in their clinic in Brighton.	www.pecs.org.uk

Signalong	Signalong is a registered charity which provides resources and training in visual communication based on British Sign Language	www.signalong.org.uk


1Voice	Support group for children using AAC	www.1voice.info

Get Talking	Get Talking™ is a powerful Augmented Alternative Communication (AAC) text-to-speech App that provides user friendly and fun assisted communication for people who have difficulty speaking. Developed for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, it uses natural sounding male and female voices, an expandable word library, and is a fraction of the cost of traditional AAC devices. With recordable voice, Get Talking™ is the ideal companion for most everyday situations.	www.get-talking.com

Grace App	Winner of the 2010 Irish Web Awards and United Nations World Summit Award Mobile Grace App is a non-speaking, simple picture exchange system developed for people with Autism to communicate their needs independently. Users can select pictures to form a semantic sentence which they can then share, by tilting the iPhone or iPod touch to create a full screen view, and pointing at each card to hear the listener read each word. The cards are large enough on iPad not to need the full screen view. With practice, the user learns to attempt their own vocalisations with the pictures serving as a back-up or prompt.	Grace App

Inclusive Technology	Inclusive Technology provides the very best special educational needs software, switches and computer access devices, simple communication aids and assistive technology for learners with a physical disability, sensory impairment or learning difficulty. As well as our own resources we have the best from AbleNet, AMDi, Attainment, Crick, IntelliTools, Keytools, Maxess, Mayer Johnson, SoftTouch, Tobii, Traxsys, Widgit and others.	www.inclusive.co.uk

Keytools	Offering access to computers for everyone. Keytools are providers of assistive technology and ergonomic computer equipment.	www.keytools.co.uk

Libertator	We believe everyone deserves a voice and we’ve made it our business to help our customers achieve their full potential by delivering assistive technology products that focus on language development and enable real, spontaneous communication to enrich lives. Our communication aids support a wide range of language solutions including Unity, Essence,WordPower and text-based systems.	www.liberator.co.uk

Possum	Possum is committed to improving the quality of life of disabled and elderly people by providing innovative technology solutions and support services.	www.possum.co.uk

SEN Assist interactive story software	SEN Assist interactive story software is the brainchild of SEN teacher Adele Devine. 'Our aim was to create motivating software to bring specialist teaching to EVERY child. We wanted to incorporate the training that special needs teachers have into software that teachers and parents without that training could access.' The activities and resources are based on TEACCH and PECS making them ideal for educating children with speech and language difficulties.	www.senassist.com

Smartbox Assistive Technology	Smartbox Assistive Technology are specialists in computer based communication aids and access to computer systems for people with disabilities. We aim to provide a service that is friendly, efficient and professional.	www.smartboxat.com

Tobii Technology	Tobii Technology is the global market leader in eye tracking and eye control. This technology makes it possible for computers to know exactly where users are looking.Our products are widely used within scientific research. commercial market research and usability studies, as well as by people with disabilities as a means to communicate. Today Tobii contributes with a wide range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) products. Our products are sold directly to customers and through resellers and partners worldwide.	www.tobii.com

Widget	Widgit are experts in inclusion and accessibility. Widgit's world-renowned Symbol Set has been designed in collaboration with language and communication experts, and enables individuals of all ages with learning impairments, communication challenges and English as an Additional Language (EAL) to gain access to written information and communicate more independently. Widgit's specially-developed Communicate Series software enables individuals such as parents, carers, teachers and support workers to create their own symbol resources to help make communication and understanding easier for children in their care.	www.widgit.com