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Tips
for Justifying Selection Set Features
The selection set refers to the visual, auditory or tactile presentation
of the available symbols (Beukelman
& Mirenda, 1998). There are three types of displays that may impact
a letter of justification: visual symbols, auditory symbols and tactile
symbols. For more information and examples of these features, see "Selection
Set Features" in the "Understanding
AAC Features" section of this website.
Visual Selection Sets
There are
six types of visual symbols to consider. alphabet for spelling, words
& phrases, line-drawings, abstract symbols and a combination of these
types. For
letters of justification in Washington State, it is our experience
that the visual
selection set should be part of your justification for equipment under
the following circumstances:
1) You may require
a device with the alphabet if the individual will be using spelling
for communication novel words and messages.
2)You may justify a larger display to provide more space for
symbols if the individual requires it.
3) You may be able
to justify a device that permits the importation of photographs
if the individual cannot recognize line drawings of people. However,
do not jeopardize your request for line drawings for other purposes
if appropriate.
Auditory Selection Sets
There are
two types of auditory symbols: a) auditory scanning and b) auditory fishing.
For letters
of justification in Washington State, we have been successful using
auditory scanning or auditory fishing to justify a particular device
under the following circumstances:
1) the individual
has a documented visual impairment which prevents him/her from depending
upon visual symbols only.
2) the individual
cannot always face the display to see the selection set during communication,
e.g. severe abnormal reflexes prevent him/her from constantly watching
the display.
Tactile Selection Sets
Two types of tactile
symbols may be used as justification for a particular device: objects
or partial objects and raised print or symbols. For
letters of justification in Washington State, it is our experience
that you may use tactile symbols to justify a particular device
under the following conditions:
1) the individual
has documented visual impair-ments that preclude the use of visual symbols,
AND
2) the individual
has documented hearing impairments that preclude reliance on auditory
symbols only, AND
3) the individual
has sufficient sensori-motor abilties to use tactile symbols.
Make sure your
justification for tactile symbols does not jeopardize a request for
auditory or visual output.
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in WA State
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III. Funding