Tactile Talk: The Tactile Communication and Literacy Toolkit for iPad Betsy Flener Ed.D. and Joni Nygard M.S. CCC-SLP

Advantages of iDevice Lightweight and portable Ability to quickly change tactile overlays Ability to customize

Why Overlays Tactile plus audio input versus audio only Instruction with tactile feedback Inclusion—same device as peers Ability to create and customize activities copyright Betsy Flener Ed.D. 2013

Unique Features of GoTalk Now for Students with Visual Impairments Ability to create communication books with various layouts of cells Ability to link pages together Ability to control font type and size, background colors and borders

Unique Features Ability to add auditory cues Ability to add voice recordings, auditory cues, text to speech, songs and music, web address, and video Ability to add scene pages with hot spots

Additional Features Ease of programming Ability to add after action Picture library included Import pictures from photos, internet, or take a picture within the app An app that can grow with a student

Rationale for System Portable communication for tactile learners that incorporates voice output All in 1 Communication Build in literacy and concepts Tactile symbols or overlays could be quickly changed Inexpensive Ability to individualize and add to as students progress

What We Know About Communication Students need the ability to: Make requests Indicate stop, protest, and ask for help Greet and initiate conversation Follow routines and anticipate what’s next Students with complex needs including visual impairment need sensory breaks Inappropriate behavior often results from limited opportunities for choice making

Screenshot: Main Menu

Important Considerations in Development of Tactile Talk High contrast with little complexity Inclusion of print label Picture included so that peers may interact with the student Arranged so that during typical interactions no more than 2 overlays are needed Ability to feel symbol before activation

Tangible Symbols Rowland & Schweigert 2000 note: Identical objects Partial or associated objects Symbols with one or two shared features Artificial symbols Three dimensional symbols Two dimensional pictures

Typical Tactile Symbol Systems Many use parts or pieces of objects Incorporate tactually distinct textures /objects Portable and easily accessible (notebook, posted schedule in class) Symbols used are meaningful to the student Individualization is important although there are some attempts to have a universal set of symbols (TSBVI Standard Directory, STATS)

Concepts/ Pre-braille skills Body image and parts Sizes Shapes Textures Position

Location Travel is based upon landmarks We often locate landmarks by their relationship to other landmarks Important to follow a consistent route We interpret size and position according to the comparison of similar objects

Literacy Pre-braille concepts Counting and one to one correspondence A book tells a story Stories can be in the form of print, braille, pictures, or tangible/ tactile symbols

Routines Tactile symbol to begin and end Predictable sequence of events Tactile symbols to represent objects, actions and locations encountered during the routine Hygiene routine included Ability to individualize three other routines or develop additional routines

Story with Symbols Adapted version of Charlotte’s Web This book is often used for Alternate Portfolio A symbol represents each page and recording Print labels and pictures included

Screenshot: Story with Symbols

Overlay: Story with Symbols

TactileTalk Toolkit Includes: GoTalk NOW Plus TactileTalk Communication Book (In-App) 30 pre-made tactile overlays TactileTalk Guidebook

References Cascella, P. & McNamara, K (2005). Empowering students with severe disabilities to actualize communication skills. Teaching Exceptional Children, 37 (3), 38-43. Rowland, C. & Schweigert, P. (2000). Tangible symbols, tangible outcomes. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 16 (2), 61-78.

Contact information Betsy Flener Betsy.Flener@grrec.ky.gov Joni Nygard Joni@AttainmentCompany.com