DSPs Using and Supporting Technology Use

The ABC's of Communication: Always Be Communicating

Author

Otto Lana is the founder and Chief Inspirational Officer of Otto’s Mottos and the California State Youth Ambassador for the Center on Youth Voice Youth Choice. Lana is from La Jolla, California. Otto can be reached at ottotypes@gmail.com

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Otto is sitting at a desk in a bedroom typing on a typewriter, while looking at the Spellerboard. He has short dark hair and is wearing a black shirt and pants.

Otto looking at the Spellerboard while using a typewriter.

Access to communication is a basic human right. That is a fact on which we can all agree. There are over five million people in the United States with speech-related disabilities , and many of them lack access and support to robust communication systems. That, too, is a fact. Here is the good news: We can use assistive technology (AT) to impact this staggering statistic. The federal definition of assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, software, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. The plain language version of that is, assistive technology is the stuff that makes your life better. As a person who lacks oral fluency, meaning I do not speak words with my mouth, I use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools to communicate.

Otto is looking at the camera smiling. He has short dark hair and is wearing a white long sleeve shirt with black tie and three-piece suit.

Otto Lana, author

The AAC tools I use are considered assistive technology. I am a multi-modal communicator and use a variety of tools. This is not unique to individuals with disabilities. Think about it. We all use various tools to communicate; we text, email, send direct messages over social media, and even send messages over fax. Some of the tools I use are choice boards and letterboards, which are low-tech, or my iPad Pro with special text-to-speech software and a Bluetooth keyboard, which is high-tech. Different scenarios require different levels of technology. What matters to me is that I always have high-tech and low-tech options available to me. Communication happens everywhere, and you have to be prepared.

My iPad, while quite impressive, is not durable, requires electricity to keep the battery charged, and is not waterproof. I live a very active lifestyle and am never far from a body of water. I learned very quickly electronics and water do not mix. Even laminated cardstock is not waterproof. This is the genesis for designing waterproof letterboards. I learned about a product called TerraSlate . It is a waterproof, basically indestructible paper that the U.S. Navy SEALS and the U.S. Coast Guard use for their maps. If it is good enough for them, it is good enough for me. That was five years ago.

Communication tools are how I advocate for an authentic life. How can anyone’s wants and needs be met without communication tools? How can anyone’s hopes or dreams be achieved without communication tools? It is simple: They can’t.

Six different styles of Spellerboards are on a table. One is red with black letters (in alphabetical order starting with A in the upper left corner to z in the lower right corner. There is a white x in the upper right corner. On the bottom row there are no letters, there are white text box with black letters for “No, IDK, space, Yes”. “Done” is on the lower right corner in a gray shaded symbol. The second Spellerboard is the same as the first, but the top of the board is green and gradually turns into blue further down the page. The third Spellerboard is set up the same as the first two but the color on top is yellow and it gradually turns orange further down the page. These three Spellerboards come in two sizes. The fourth Spellerboard is different than the first three because the background is black, and the letters are on the board arranged as they are arranged on a keyboard. The letters are black, and the keys are in rainbow colors, starting with the first couple columns in red, one column in orange, two columns in yellow, two columns in green, one column in blue, and two columns in purple. The bottom row has No in red, IDK and spacebar in yellow, and Yes in green. There are three sizes of the board, The fifth board is designed the same as the fourth board however the key colors are light green except for two words on the bottom row. The word “No” has black letters and red text box, and the word “Yes” is in a medium green with black letters. The sixth Speller board is the same as the fifth except the key colors are in bright yellow. The third, four and fifth Spellerboards come in three sizes.

Users have choices between Spellerboards of different colors and sizes.

Another cool thing about my letterboards is they are washable. That was important during the pandemic. Remember when we felt compelled to sanitize everything, even our canned goods from the grocery store? I know I am very fortunate. Most people do not have this level of access and support to communication tools. Communication tools are how I advocate for an authentic life. How can anyone’s wants and needs be met without communication tools? How can anyone’s hopes or dreams be achieved without communication tools? It is simple: They can’t. Communication is an exchange of information. Without communication, you are guessing at best and misinterpreting at worst.

There is an important relationship between the DSP and the person or people they support. There is a real need for trust in that relationship. It is not about the software or the choice board; communication is about creating and receiving messages.

I am a very successful young man. I have accomplished multitudes because I have a robust communication system and a strong support network who believes communication always matters. It is not enough to have access to all the AT tools. Direct support professionals need training to support individuals with speech-related disabilities. Remember when I said communication is an exchange of information? There is an important relationship between the DSP and the person or people they support. There is a real need for trust in that relationship. It is not about the software or the choice board; communication is about creating and receiving messages.

Two people on a boat on a lake. The person on the right is wearing jeans, red t shirt, green hat, white sunglasses and a personal flotation device. She is using the Speller board to talk to the other person who is wearing a blue t-shirt, tan shorts and black and white baseball hat. He is helping to hold the Spellerboard.

Bella and her dad using Spellerboard while out on the lake.

A robust communication system has put me in the driver’s seat of my world. Everyone deserves to be the driving force in their life, regardless of disability or oral fluency. Presumed competence and self-determination should not be radical concepts. Dignity is foundational to human existence. DSPs are in a unique role to support all these things by learning to communicate and establishing a professional relationship with the person supported. Communication is integral and imperative to a dignified life. Rely on the person’s communication to drive your support.

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