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Tips
for Justifying Physical Features
There are many physical features to take into consideration when
writing a letter of justification. We will address three at this time:
1) size & portability of the device or strategy 2) clarity of
symbols on the display and 3) laptop computer vs. dedicated AAC device.
For more information on these features, see "Physical Features"
in the "Understanding
AAC Features" section of this website.
Size and Portability of the Device
Devices
range in size from tiny and easily carried to large, requiring mounting
on a wheelchair. For letters of justification in Washington State,
experience tells us that you may use size as a medical justification when:
1) The individual
needs to carry a device and would be unable to safely carry a heavier
device, or
2) The individual
needs a device that does not interfere with line of sight for power
mobility in a wheelchair.
However,
you must not compromise required vocabulary size.
Clarity of symbols and screen
For some users,
color symbols are much more salient and easier to see and learn. For
letters of justification in Washington State, experience tells us
that you can justify a system with a clearer screen and salient symbols
under the following circumstance:
If the individual
needs to use a device for medical or health & safety communication
under adverse lighting conditions, such as out of doors in sunlight
or near a sunny window where reflections are a constant problem. It
is best to give a specific example from his/her life of emergency situations
where communication is necessary and lighting is poor.
Dedicated AAC device vs laptop computer
Most of the equipment that you will see on this website is designed specially
for AAC users, for communication purposes. However, it is becoming cheaper
and often more effective to use communication software on a standard computer
hardware. In our experience it is difficult to acquire funding in
Washington State from an insurance company or DSHS for a full
computer for communication. It is possible to succeed, however, under
the following circumstance:
If
you can demonstrate that there are no dedicated systems that are less
expensive and sufficiently adequate to meet the individual's health
and safety needs.
This issue is currently
being examined by local advocates because it appears that WA State DSHS
tends to deny requests for laptop computers even when the equipment is
less expensive and more effective for the individual.
Back to Tips for Funding
in WA State
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III. Funding