Communication Board

A low-tech or digital display of symbols, pictures, words, or phrases arranged on a surface that a person with complex communication needs can point to, touch, or select to express messages. Communication boards can be static (fixed vocabulary on a single page) or dynamic (allowing navigation between pages of vocabulary organized by topic or category). They range from simple boards with a few core symbols for emergent communicators to sophisticated grid-based systems with thousands of symbols organized hierarchically. Communication boards are a foundational tool in augmentative and alternative communication, providing visual support for individuals who cannot rely on speech alone.