* The screen has a large message window, with differences in the size depending on the device and whether you have it configured in portrait or landscape layout
* The size of the screen depends on whether you are using it with iPhone, iPod, Mini-iPad or iPad or which Android tablet, if you are using the Android version. * Capacity to store phrases will depend on the memory capacity of the tablet or phone device you are using this app with * Text generated with TouchChat pages can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or via text message and email * The size and spacing of the keyboard changes, depending on whether the tablet is in portrait or landscape orientation, with larger keys when in landscape
* You can select whether to speak the phrases immediately when highlighted, or from the message window, when you press the "speak" button * Word prediction, with four options available * Numbers, basic punctuation and upper and lower case are available * Onscreen keyboards with text-to-speech are available for people who can spell * QWERTY keyboard is the default organisation * There are versions available in English and Hebrew languages. * TouchChat enables users to create novel messages by spelling. * Vocabulary can be organised according to visual scenes, using pictures or photos as the background image * Cells linked to other pages have an arrow key indicating a "go to" * Messages produced using symbols and/or text are presented as text in the message window. * Vocabulary is organised using semantic categories such as 'places' and 'food' and syntactic categories, such as 'people', 'actions', and 'describe' (for adjectives) Additional page sets including WordPower and iEssence are available as in-app purchases Each page set is designed for individuals with different communication needs. * Four page sets are included with the TouchChat: VocabPC, MultiChat-15, Primary and Spelling. * Symbol based pre-stored messages and text to speech messages can be generated using this app, depending on the needs and skills of the user Vocabulary / Language / Pre-stored Vocabulary
The full sized iPad enables larger cell size for messages on the display and keyboard keys are larger * Device selection should take size of display into account. * Could use Switch Control (built-in feature in iOS) with external switches and scanning * Digitised speech can be recorded using this app Additional voices can be purchased for a cost * Versions that you pay for have natural sounding synthesised speech with five US and two British Acapela voices. * This communication app can be downloaded to Apple products via the iTunes store Purchase the version compatible for the device Additional English page sets including Gateway©, Pixon™60 and Talk About AAC are available as in-app purchases.* iOS - compatible with iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Each page set targets individuals with different communication needs. Various page sets are included with TouchChat: VocabPC, MultiChat15, and Spelling are available in both English and Spanish options, myQuickChat©, M圜ore, and Communication Journey: Aphasia are available in English, while Sintaxis and Sin Sintaxis files are available in Spanish. The buttons are programmed to have specific actions, such as speaking a message, navigating to a different page, changing the volume or clearing the display. Page sets are linked pages, each of which is divided into a number of buttons. TouchChat gives an individual the ability to navigate through page sets and speak messages. This feature allows a person to communicate silently or in a noisy environment. TouchChat also has a unique feature whereby one can simply tilt the device to make the message expand to fill the screen in large letters. Various English and Spanish synthesized voices are available, allowing the user to choose a voice that fits their own personality. Words, phrases and messages are spoken with a built-in voice synthesizer or by playing a recorded message. TouchChat fits into the category of assistive technology known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and includes features that were previously only available in much more expensive dedicated devices. WordPower is a word-based vocabulary that allows for easy and intuitive communication, while WordPower with Phrases incorporates phrases for easier language generation.Īugmentative and Alternative Communication
This version of TouchChat is bundled with the WordPower™ series of AAC vocabularies designed by Nancy Inman. TouchChat is designed for individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, ALS, apraxia, stroke, or other conditions that affect a person’s ability to use natural speech. TouchChat is a full-featured communication solution for individuals who have difficulty using their natural voice.