Free Dynamic Display Communication Software

Tico is a free, open source symbol (or text) based dynamic display AAC program for the Windows operating system.  The Tico Application is part of the collaborative project between the Department of Computer and Systems Engineering from the Higher Polytechnic Center of the University of Zaragoza and Public School Special Education Alborada. Tico's software and hardware for individuals with physical and or cognitive disabilities.  

When in Editor (what in Boardmaker would be Design Mode) boards can be created and re-arranged as needed.  Currently the software requires recorded speech (like a Dynavox M3 or SpringBoard), but the application supports making those recordings right in the button editing pop-up window.  (You can also record video there!)

Tico is able to be used in the "Interpreter"  mode (think Boardmaker use mode) by direct selection (via touch screen, mouse, head or eye tracker) or by scanning (which is built into the software).


Tico uses the full ARASAAC symbol set, a free, open source symbol set anyone can download.  January 15, 2010 the ARASAAC Web Portal went live in English and is attempting to be a free, world wide resource for AAC.  To use the ARASAAC symbol set with Tico you should download it from the link on the Tico page and follow the (easy and intuitive) instructions to set them up.  I was also able to import Mayer-Johnson Picture Communication Symbols from the Metafiles bundles, Inclusive TLC clip art, Widgit symbols, the free Mulberry symbols, jpg photos and SymbolStix from the SymbolStix Online Website into Tico without any problems. 


Although originally designed in Spanish Tico (and ARASAAC) work fine in English.  Some support materials are not in English yet, but thus far I have not found a need to reference them or have been able to use on line tools like Google Translate or BabelFish to assist me.  

Here are a few sample boards:

 

Board images and some information from: http://informaticaparaeducacionespecial.blogspot.com