iOS for AAC?

It is really a joy to read, watch and hear such a range of wonderful insights as part of AAC Awareness Month this October. With every shared experience, product development or policy change, I think we share the sentiment that it brings AAC to the forefront of bigger conversations, wider understanding and ultimately closer to full inclusion.

A large part of my role at access: technology involves implementation of high-tech AAC systems, and whilst it is certainly a challenge to keep up with the pace of product development, it is a testament to the hard work underway in this sector. How incredible that there is so much change to be keeping up with? That we're in a position where there is such variety, and means to apply personalisation and nuance to this search for our clients? Witnessing the benefit of such technological advancements is no doubt a privilege.

What I find to be equally exciting, and passionate to advocate for though, is the places that we're seeing AAC find its way to the mainstream technology in our hands. I've seen numerous articles, reels and conference presentations which discuss how many of our day-to-day technology has moved from Assistive Technology to mainstream; subtitles and our smart home voice assistants for example began as tools to support those with hearing loss or reduced mobility. I could write all day about how inclusive design benefits absolutely everyone, for more reasons than may first meet the eye, but today it is all about AAC ...

I'm choosing to focus on iOS Live Speech here, because frankly I just really love it! In itself, Live Speech is an Accessibility feature in iOS which allows the user to access text to speech functionality directly from their device. Depending on your device, the iOS 'triple tap' or custom action button opens up the feature, either to the keyboard or your phrase library (whichever was in use last). You can create categories for phrases, use recent ones, or just type and hit 'enter' to play the speech playback from your phone. Bring in iOS's other recent addition, 'Personal Voice', and you've got yourself a neat AAC solution in your pocket.

Now, again on a practical level this is great - the navigation to use it is quick, and can be accessed through a variety of access methods via Assistive Touch as required thanks to Apple's continued development of their accessibility features. The customisation is great - personal voice can ensure your speech is unique, and the phrase library is entirely yours to curate as well.

Of course, this isn't the AAC solution for everyone! There is a reason that the high-tech AAC market is so specialised, and so needed. That being said, this weaves its way into a new, more mainstream space that we don't see too often. I'm curious to see how this feature develops, and what role it plays with inclusion in the realm of AAC. For now, I wholeheartedly celebrate the progress in giving the worlds' population of iOS users AAC of their own. Have you explored Live Speech for yourself? I'd love to hear your thoughts!