Flexible AAC for Real-Life Communication: Letting Users Lead the Way

Jenny Lawrence, AAC Consultant, shares one of many great features in Predictable.

AAC devices need to work for lots of different situations. Someone might be presenting to a group, taking part in a meeting, or chatting with family and friends. We also know that AAC works best when systems can adapt to different contexts and communication goals and that the person using the AAC system should lead decisions about how it is used. 

Predictable supports that need for flexibility. The Speak button, for example, can be set up in ways that suit different communication needs. A person may want their whole message spoken in one go, or they might prefer to speak it sentence by sentence. What feels right can shift depending on the situation and having different options helps someone communicate with confidence that they can get their message across accurately.  

The message bar can be personalised too. For example, it can be set so that when it is tapped, the text flips around so the communication partner can read it. Having both spoken and visual versions of a message may help the message be understood more easily and support participation across different environments. 

Our Via range of devices is designed with this same commitment to flexibility and user choice at its core. Each device offers robust, reliable hardware paired with customisable access options, whether someone uses touch, switch scanning, head tracking, or eye tracking. This means users can navigate Predictable in the way that best suits their physical and communication needs, and change their setup as those needs evolve. The durability, portability, and powerful speakers in the Via range also make it easier to communicate confidently across different environments, from quiet one‑to‑one conversations to louder group settings. By combining adaptable software with hardware built for real‑world use, the Via and Predictable bundle helps ensure that communication can happen smoothly and independently, wherever someone is and however they choose to express themselves. 

Most importantly, choice matters. People’s preferences and access needs can vary widely, and what works best can change from one situation to another. When someone can decide for themselves how speech output works and how messages are displayed, communication is more likely to happen in a way that feels comfortable and effective for them. 

Learn more about the Via Predictable bundle and how it can support meaningful communication across all environments. You can book in a free virtual consultation so you can discuss Predictable.