Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
32 results found in augmentative and alternative communication.
- Scanning (Switch Scanning, Sequential Scanning)
- An input method used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that allows users with severe motor impairments to make selections using one or more switches. The system sequentially highligh…
- Semantic Compaction (Minspeak)
- A method of encoding language for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that maps concepts onto sequences of multi-meaning icons. Each icon is deliberately ambiguous, and meaning is resolve…
- Sentence Prediction (Phrase Prediction, Utterance Prediction)
- An AAC text entry acceleration technique that suggests complete sentences or phrases based on what the user has begun typing. Unlike word prediction which completes individual words, sentence predicti…
- Severe Speech and Motor Impairment (SSMI)
- A condition where an individual has significant limitations in both spoken communication and physical movement, often co-occurring in conditions such as cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (…
- Synthetic Voice (Artificial Voice, Computer-Generated Voice, TTS Voice)
- A digitally generated voice produced by text-to-speech technology, used by individuals with speech impairments as an alternative means of verbal communication. People who rely on synthetic voices for …
- Talking Mats
- A visual communication framework that uses a textured mat and sets of picture symbols to help people express their views on topics that matter to them. Developed at the University of Stirling, Talking…
- Telegraphic Speech (Telegraphic Input, Compressed Speech)
- A simplified form of communication that uses only essential content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives) while omitting function words (articles, prepositions, conjunctions) and grammatical inflections. I…
- Transactional Communication Model
- The most dynamic model of communication, in which all parties are simultaneously senders and receivers, co-creating meaning through instantaneous, continuous feedback. In this model, communication is …
- Utterance-Based System (Utterance-Based AAC, Prestored Message System)
- A type of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system that uses prestored phrases, sentences, or complete utterances rather than requiring users to construct messages word-by-word or lette…
- Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA, Speech Output Device)
- An electronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device that produces synthesized or digitized speech output when a user selects symbols, words, or phrases. VOCAs range from simple singl…
- Voice banking (Voice preservation, Speech banking)
- The process of recording and storing samples of a person's natural voice so that a synthetic version can be created for future use with text-to-speech systems. Voice banking is particularly important …
- Word Board (Communication Board, Word Display)
- A communication tool used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) consisting of words, common phrases, and sometimes alphabet letters arranged on a physical board or digital display. Users…