Communication Connect Program
Communication Connect Program
You can access iPad’s, eye gaze equipment and other communication devices at no cost. Also, thanks to a collaboration with SpeakUnique, we can help you set up voice banking to record, store and download a synthetic version of your own voice to use on communication devices.
This program helps people living with MND stay connected with their family and friends and keep their independence for longer.
What is voice banking?
Voice banking is a way for you to record and store your own voice to use at a later date when you may have trouble speaking. You record your voice and then the sounds are broken down to create a synthetic version of your natural voice. After you record your voice, it can be used on a smartphone, tablet, computer or other communication device. These devices are called ‘speech generating devices’. When using these devices to communicate, you can type or use pictures to create words and sentences.
For the best outcomes start voice banking as soon as possible.
When to start
We suggest that you start as early as possible, even before you have any speech changes, so the voice you record will sound the most like your own, original voice. It can be very upsetting to think about possibly losing your ability to speak, voice banking might offer some comfort in knowing that your voice will go on.
What will my recorded voice sound like?
Your recorded voice should sound mostly like your natural voice. See this video comparing natural voice and a synthetic voice created using a voice banking program.
Get started
Thanks to the wonderful work of Speech Pathologist Stacey Verner-Wren, in collaboration with University of Queensland Students: Peggy Ching, Ellen Cook, Lauren Hose, Roshni Lad, Sarah Moller, Ashlee Spark, Sarah Wong, and Sammie Yip, we have a Voice Banking at Home Guide to get you started.
This highly practical guide gives you a step by step directions on how you can start voice banking as soon as possible.
i-Pad loan with text to speech apps
You can access i-Pad’s with pre-loaded text to speech apps at no cost to stay connected with your family and friends, and keep your independence for longer.
To borrow an i-Pad please ask your Speech Pathologist to contact us, if you don’t have one we may be able to refer you to one. If you already have your own i-Pad, we can arrange for the recommended AAC App to be purchased.
