Communication for All

Not being able to communicate is not the same thing as having nothing to say! Just ask one of the 175 moderate-severely handicapped students at Jessie Baker School!  Communication is difficult for most of our students who rely on signs and paper communication symbols to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts and feelings. But communication is complex, not everyone understands sign, and paper symbols get lost. Plus it's nearly impossible to predict and make symbols for every word that we think a child might want to say!  Fortunately, there's an app for that! This past year we've had 8 students start using iPads as their voice. The iPads are loaded with a single communication app that produces speech when picture symbols are selected on the touch screen. Because of this technology, I've had the privlege of listening to 8 students voice their first word!  Watch the video and see the joy in the children's faces as they enjoy teaching one another and playing with one another.   

Please consider making a donation so we can fund communication devices for more of our students! a complete communication system costs approximately $800 and includes an iPad, a communication application chosen specifically for them,  and a protective case with carrying strap so they can take their voice everywhere.