Physicist Stephen Hawking has ALS, making it impossible to talk. The late movie critic Roger Ebert had a period of remission from the cancer that eventually took his life, but it came at the price of surgery that took his ability to speak. Both of them relied on computer assistance to communicate verbally, but speech synthesizers may not be a viable option in many situations due to the expense of hardware and software, as well as a lack of computer skills, or where electricity may be unavailable, such as during power outages or in facilities in developing areas.

Picture boards are a good alternative, but can be limited by the number of images they depict. Another good alternative is the FAB Frenchay Alphabet Board. All the user has to do is point to the large, high-contrast characters in recessed depressions. This “positive finger location” allows people who have tremors to communicate their thoughts with a higher degree of accuracy than by pointing to an image on a picture board, or by using a device that requires finger pressure to operate. The back of the board is covered in nonskid Neoprene to keep it from sliding around the table top or the tray during use should someone have an involuntary hand movement.

    From library.rehabmart.com

The Alphabet Board comes in two sizes which include 'tabletop' that measures 12 inches by 6 inches by 0.4 inches and is designed for use at home or by people with low vision or problems with pointing accurately; and 'pocket-sized', measuring 9 inches by 4.25 inches by 0.4 inches that can be discretely carried as a backup for communication devices by mobile users or by care providers in emergency rooms, clinics, and residential care settings. The keyboards come in two layouts, 'QUERTY', like a typewriter or computer keyboard, and Matrix with the vowels on the left of the letter keys and the numerals in the upper right corner. Both layouts include some special characters, such as up and down arrows to indicate if the volume of someone’s voice or the TV is too loud or soft, for example, as well as positive and negative symbols, a space bar, and a question mark.

Cleaning the Alphabet Board is a matter of a simple wash with soap and water or wiping with a cleaner and soft cloth. The board is sealed within a clear plastic cover which is impregnated with silver nanoparticles, making it hostile to microbes such as listeria, MRSA, e.coli, and salmonella, inhibiting their spread among multiple users. It can also stay on the table while the user or users are eating, allowing them to join the mealtime conversations.

The Frenchay Alphabet Board was developed in the UK in conjunction with their National Health Service to provide a means of communication for people whose ability to speak has been impacted, but can still perform the needed functions to process language. It is appropriate for use by people living with conditions such as cerebral palsy, post-stroke issues, post-surgical impacts, hearing problems, MS, Parkinson’s disease, and many other conditions.

It is suitable for use in private residences, long-term care facilities, hospitals, special needs classrooms and libraries to provide a new voice for users who have lost theirs.


Fran Jablway,
Senior Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO