Communication Aids and Strategies Using Tools of Communication

What is a Communication Aid?

- A communication aid helps an individual to communicate more
effectively with people around them.
- Communication aids are also referred to as AAC devices. AAC refers to
Augmentative and Alternative Communication, which is defined as,
- … a huge range of techniques which support or replace spoken
communication. These include gesture, signing, symbols, word boards,
communication boards and books, as well as Voice Output
Communication Aids (VOCAs).

There are two main types of AAC system: Unaided Communication and Aided
Communication.

● Unaided communication does not use additional equipment. Body

language, gesture, vocalization, signing are typically used.
● Aided communication uses equipment, but this ranges from low-tech to
high-tech methods, with pictures and symbols often used instead of, or
together with words and with alternative hardware options available to
provide access. Whilst a low-tech method of communication like a simple,
laminated communication book to carry around with a few pages of
pictures or symbols would be a communication aid, the term ‘device’
would only describe a more high-tech solution. An electronic
communication aid can be a dedicated device built for that job, which
does nothing else, or it can be a standard computer running specialist
communication aid software as well – this includes Apple tablets which
are increasingly being used to help people communicate.

What Are Communication Strategies?

- Communication strategies are the blueprints for how this information will
be exchanged. Communication is the exchange of information between
a sender and a receiver. It used to be that you only had to worry about
 the way you communicate face-to-face or on paper. Technology has
changed this completely. It is important for people to take into account
every aspect of how they are relaying information. This is where
communication strategies come into play. Communication strategies are
the blueprints for how this information will be exchanged.

Types of Communication Strategies

Communication strategies can be verbal, nonverbal, or visual. Integrating all the
strategies together will allow you to see the most success. This allows a business
to meet employee needs and increase workplace knowledge.

Verbal communication strategies can be broken down into the two categories
of written and oral communication. Written strategies consist of avenues such as
e-mail, text, and chat. Examples that fall into the oral category are phone calls,
video chats, and face-to-face conversation.

Nonverbal communication strategies consist of mostly visual cues, such as body

language, facial expressions, physical distance between communicators, or the
tone of your voice. These cues are typically not intended. However, it is
important to realize the message you are sending. Otherwise, you may be
saying one thing, yet the receiver is hearing another.

Visual communication strategies can be seen through signs, web pages, and
illustrations. These strategies are used in the workplace to draw attention and
provide documentation. Human resources is required to post certain visuals
throughout the workplace to comply with safety laws.

Using Tools of Technology

Multimedia is content that uses a combination of different content forms such as
text, audio, images, animations, video and interactive content. Multimedia
contrasts with media that use only rudimentary computer displays such as
text-only or traditional forms of printed or hand-produced material.
 ● A transparency, also known variously as a view foil, foil, or view graph, is a
thin sheet of transparent flexible material, typically cellulose acetate, onto
which figures can be drawn. These are then placed on an overhead
projector for display to an audience. Many companies and small
organizations use a system of projectors and transparencies in meetings
and other groupings of people, though this system is being largely
replaced by video projectors and interactive whiteboards.
● Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback,
broadcasting, and display of moving visual media.
● Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical, mechanical,
electronic, or digital inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as
spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects.

Rules that can help us to present a good ppt presentation:

10-20-30
10 slides - 20 minutes - 30 point font

1-6-6
1 main idea - 6 bullet points - 6 words per bullet

7-7
7 lines - 7 words

4P's
Prior preparation prevents poor performance of the person putting on the
presentation.