AAC refers to communication devices used to supplement or replace speech or writing for children with impairments in comprehending spoken or written English, Tamil or any other languages. 

State Commissionerate of the Welfare of the Differently Abled (CWDA) has proposed to tie-up with multi-national companies for the purchase of AAC device for enhancing the communication skills of these students. Accordingly, 416 AAC systems with AVAZ software would be procured for special school children with autism, cerebral palsy and mentally disabled having speech and communication problem. 

“There will be tender process to select the companies for supplying the devices. The successful company will supply the systems within three months,” a senior official from CWDA told DT Next. 

The official added that intensive training for special educators and therapists would be held at Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai and Tirunelveli to familiarise them about the device. 

Explaining its functioning, the official said the touchscreen system would have dynamic display picture mode and text communication software for children with intellectual disabilities. 

The device that would support Indian accented English voice, would be able to control speaking while typing. It would also have high resolution camera and import-export recording. 

He pointed out that AAC device could be used in place of speech or writing and these tools give the ability to communicate to those who cannot talk or write. AVAZ software which is picture-based also helps therapists and educators to bring out the maximum potential in children. 

“Visual display such as picture cards assist in learning more complex sentence structure and expanding vocabulary,” he said.