TactileTalk Toolkit

TactileTalk Toolkit is a communication system for students with complex needs, especially those who are visually impaired with multiple disabilities. It focuses on both communication and literacy skills by combining tactile symbols with voice output. Tangible symbols represent objects, activities, places, people, and concepts, like a spoon for eating and bells for music. Several objects are organized on a transparent sheet with borders and other symbols made with a special tactile paint. These sheets function as overlays for an iPad screen, corresponding to preprogrammed pages in the GoTalk NOW App using the TactileTalk Communication Book. Students feel the object for reference and tap the screen for corresponding voice output. For example, tap by the bells to play “I’d like to listen to music.” An accompanying TactileTalk Guidebook helps the user integrate tangible symbols into the school day, and provides examples for use with students of varying disabilities.