by Anthony Arnold, PRC-Saltillo Ambassador
I’m Anthony Arnold, an augmentative and alternative communicator from San Tan Valley, Arizona. I first began communicating with Minspeak-based systems 40 years ago, when Minspeak was still in its infancy. Back in those days, Minspeak was done on mechanical keys, and 128 keys were the standard configuration, as touchscreens hadn’t been invented yet; however, it was still a potent solution, especially at the time. When touchscreens were introduced in the 2000s, the 128 configuration was replaced by a 144 configuration, which included a dynamic activity row. Several of us chose to upgrade to Unity 144 without factoring in that the buttons were littler even when the device could be equipped with a keyguard or a touchguard, primarily because we wanted a smooth transition from older devices.
I have cerebral palsy and need to deal with spasticity at times, affecting access, especially during intense conversations. Not to mention the older I have gotten, the worse my spasticity has gotten. Communication wasn’t as enjoyable as it once was, and my desire was slowly fading, which was depressing, especially since I had once been considered a powerhouse user.
Two years ago, I finally threw my hands up and said that I couldn’t continue going down this path, where my desire to communicate would likely have been nonexistent. At first, I tried LAMP Words For Life, which I liked with its graphical representation of words and providing labels, enriching my literacy, something I needed for years, since I was functioning off of a vocabulary of an upper elementary school student, which was frustrating, knowing how intelligent I would be if language were presented to me in a more simplified way. Embellished icons and labeling remind me of math flashcards in elementary school, which are very effective in learning new vocabulary.
I used LAMP Words For Life for several months until someone suggested that I consider looking at Unity 84, as it comes with more words, while also featuring embellished icons and labeling that I have come to love. Yes, Unity 144 also comes with embellished icons and labeling. Still, those smaller buttons wouldn’t be as effective, especially when I also wanted to enhance my literacy while increasing my communication effectiveness.
Now, two years later, I’m a communication powerhouse again, and my confidence continues to evolve. I wish I had done this years ago, when Unity 84 was introduced, but I was listening to people saying that I shouldn’t have to relearn another overlay. While relearning another overlay is time-consuming, I believe I had no choice when my communication was slowly dying.
In closing, I highly recommend listening to your users and their communication partner, including family and friends. If they note something isn’t working the way it was initially intended, something needs to change. Communication is too important, and something you don’t want to give up on.
Anthony Arnold
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