What is a My Voice®?
My Voice is a charitable program that provides eligible children and youth with their own restricted communication device (working in tandem with the child’s speech language pathologist).
When a child receives their own communication device through the My Voice Program, they are specifically provided with:
- one iPad (that’s converted into a restricted communication device via an internally devised process to make it solely for communicating);
- one prescribed communication app that the child has successfully trialed;
- two years of AppleCare (warranty); as well as
- one specialized case (with strap) and screen protector.
As a charitable program, each My Voice device is financed {in part} by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development as well as generously funded by community donations
WHAT IS APPLE CARE? AM I COVERED?
Every My Voice communication device comes with two years of AppleCare+, which is a protective warranty and resource support for families when/if anything breaks or malfunctions with the device. Click here to view the Variety AppleCare+ Guide!
You can check if your AppleCare is still valid at https://checkcoverage.apple.com/
I am locked out of my device. What should I do?
Apple has provided instructions on how to reset an iPad (links below). Have your iPad information sheet ready (emailed to family) during this process. Please reach out to Variety at info@varietypittsburgh.org if you need another copy of your iPad info sheet.
- If iPad is disabled or locked out, click here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/119858
- If iPad is “unavailable” or “security lockout”, click here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/105090?device-type=ipad
How can I encourage my child to use their AAC device?
Your child’s speech language pathologist should be able to provide tips and tools to encourage your child to use their communication device more often, but we’ve included some resources below.
Some other useful resources to check out:
- AAC Language Lab – AAC for Caregivers (includes a manual covering 8 strategies)
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – written for parents, caregivers, families.
- From Frustration to Understanding: An AAC Story of Presuming Potential
- 10 Strategies to Train Parents and Improve Carryover for Students Using AAC
- Helping Teachers to Help Students Learn Effectively Via AAC
- Understanding the “Why” and “What Now” in Using AAC With Young Communicators
- Making AAC Motivational and Fun
- Five Steps For Implementing AAC Devices In Your Child’s Routine
- AACtion Points (features multiple resources addressing AAC specific topics)
- How to Encourage A Child to Use Their AAC Device
- Facilitating the Use of an AAC Device with Your Child at Home
- 5 AAC Tips for Parents and Caregivers
- Video – GETTING STARTED WITH AAC: What Parents Need to Know from an SLP
- Video – AAC Strategies for Parents and Teachers: 1. Take It Everywhere
- Video – Top 3 Tips for Using AAC at Home
I am a Speech Therapist, and I don’t have access to a device to trial apps. Where/How can I get a trial device:
- Free 9-week trial devices available through PA TechOwl. For questions, contact your local TechOwl representative here.
- For educators, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network’s (PaTTAN) Short Term Loan program
- If you have an iPad, many app companies have free trials or partner programs that can give you temporary access. (Tobii Dynavox for Professionals, TouchChat Discover, LAMP Words for Life® Discover, CoughDrop 2 months free, Go Talk NOW Lite to name a few)
- For a national list, please visit https://www.aaccessible.org/at-lending-libraries
How many times can my child receive a communication device from My Voice?
Variety’s My Voice Program allows eligible children/youth to re-apply for a second OR third communication device after 3 years of receiving their first/second device.
How can my child get a communication device if we don’t meet the My Voice eligibility guidelines?
For those that do not meet our program’s eligibility guidelines, there are a few resources that can be considered to get your child a communication device of their own:
- Check with your school district (via your child’s IEP) and local Intermediate Unit for availability if school age. If younger, contact your local Early Intervention for resources and assessment.
- Your child may be eligible for a communication device through their insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, & some Private Insurances). Call your provider OR companies such as AbleNet®, Tobii Dynavox, and PRC-Saltillo (TouchChat, LAMP WFL, or Unity AAC) can help you through this process, with the support of your child’s Speech Therapist.
- Achieva Charitable Residual Program – Grants for assistive technology to eligible families in Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
How do I back up my child’s app to the cloud?
It’s very important to backup your child’s communication app to the cloud. This ensures that your child always has access to their communication app, even if the device breaks, glitches, etc.
Depending on your child’s specific communication app, here are some useful links on how to backup your child’s app.
TouchChat:
- Backing up using Air Drop
- Video Tutorial
- Backing Up Using iCloud
- Backing Up Using Google Drive
- Video Tutorial
- All Back Up Options
Proloquo2Go:
LAMP Words for Life:
Back-Up and Restore LAMP WFL, TouchChat, and Dialogue AAC on iOS (Video Tutorial)
Resources Specific to the Communication App:
TD Snap:
- Training Cards – click for step by step information for basic editing, backing up, and implementation
- TD Snap for Schools
- Learning Hub – for self-paced courses, video tutorials, and printable resources
- Introduction to vocabulary organization (video)
TouchChat:
- Updating TouchChat
- Finding a Word in Vocabulary
- Trouble Shooting TouchChat
- Create a ButtonSet
- Create a Page
Proloquo2Go:
- Add a Button
- Add a photo to a button
- Record Audio to a Button
- Make a New Folder
- Link or Duplicate an Existing Folder
LAMP Words for Life