Blue Wave

The Blue Wave resource pack brings together some exciting new communication sets for The Grid 2. Blue Wave is FREE - please ask for a CD.

Seashell Speak and Sign

Seashell Speak and Sign is a BSL vocabulary which uses videos  of sign language alongside speech.  It allows the user to access over 1000 signs. 

Seashell was designed for a group of deaf teenagers who have cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.  Seashell could also be used by non-signing people to communicate in basic sign language or to learn signs.

Key features of Seashell:

• symbol based
• provides choice of whether to ‘speak message’ or ‘sign message’
• modern young adult vocabulary
• supports functional key word communication, not English grammar
• large vocabulary (over 1000 words)
• consistent, simple layout and navigation
• reflects some features of BSL (British Sign Language)
• blank cells for easy insertion of new vocabulary and new pages
• full screen signing videos

Seashell was developed by Jackie Barker MA BSc.  Jackie is a Speech and Language Therapist working for Royal School for the Deaf and
Communication Disorders in Manchester. RSDCD provides residential education for people with sensory impairment and complex learning disabilities.

Key 48 

Key 48 is a new vocabulary for young adults with basic literacy skills and moderate access difficulties.

Key 48 supports a range of users including those who prefer direct access.

Word prediction in the eye line is the most useful place for many people. Switch users are also supported by the arrangement of the letter board with vowels on the first column.

For those who would prefer it there is a very large picture supported vocabulary arranged topically rather than grammatically. The scroll feature that is unique to Grid  2 means that words within a topic are not confined to the 48 cells on a page and can be added to by the user to suit their individual needs.

Finally, there is a comprehensive set of subject pages that are arranged to serve the mainstream or special school curriculum. These pages also contain vocabulary that can be useful generally. For example, every major country and all UK counties and cities and English Towns are already available on the geography pages.

Key 6

Key 6 has been developed for the teenager/young adult who has at least some basic literacy skills but significant difficulty with access.

The layout suits those who:

• can use a fist point to accurately select out of six options
• can be accurate with linear scan using one or two switches
• can select out of six options using the MyTobii eye gaze

Key 6 and Key 48 were developed by Marion Stanton.  Marion is a special needs teacher and AAC consultant. She works for Communication and Learning Enterprises (CANDLE) who specialise in curriculum and communication. They are based in Yorkshire but provide advice to families, schools, colleges and education authorities across the UK.