|
|
 |
Tips for Justifying Vocabulary Features There are four primary vocabulary features that can impact a letter of justification:
For more information and examples of these features, see "Vocabulary Features" in the "Understanding AAC Features" section of this website. The vocabulary capacity of devices range tremendously from tiny devices with 1 to 10 messages to complex devices with 100's and 100's of vocabulary items. While the tiny devices cannot possibly function as a primary communication strategy for any individual, there may be circumstances under which funding for them is requested. Make sure this will not jeopardize a funding request for a more complex device in the future. For letters of justification in Washington State, it is our experience that the size of the vocabulary can and should be used as a justification for any of the mid-range or larger communication devices. However:
It is only in the smallest of devices that the vocabulary is all available at once. Other devices require the user to retrieve additional vocabulary in different ways. We will discuss: a) single level of limited vocabulary, b) multiple levels with overlays, c) multiple levels with dynamic displays, d) large vocabulary with encoding, and e) combination of approaches. For letters of justification in Washington State, we have based justifications on the following: 1) We have ruled out devices with a single level of limited vocabulary if we demonstrated that the vocabulary was too limited for this individual's medical and health/safety needs. 2) We have ruled out devices with overlays by demonstrating that the individual is unable to independently change overlays to retrieve additional vocabulary. However, be careful in your wording so you do not ALSO rule out devices with dynamic displays. 3) We have justified
a dynamic screen device, but only by demonstrating the following:
4) We have justified
a device with encoding, but only by demonstrating the following:
5) It has been difficult to provide medical justification for a combination of encoding & dynamic displays. We have been successful once by demonstrating the following:
There are four approaches to utterances: a) pre-programmed utterances only, b) novel utterances via word combinations, c) novel utterances via spelling, and d) a combination of utterance types. For letters of justification in Washington State, experience tells us that funding agencies would prefer to provide low cost devices that permit pre-programmed messages only. You may use the type of utterances (e.g. pre-programmed or novel) as a medical justification for a higher cost device in the following situations: 1) To justify a device that permits novel utterances via spelling, you should consider demonstrating that the individual already has the ability to spell unpredictable medical and health & safety vocabulary, preferably using an example from his/her life. 2) To justify a device that permits a combination of novel and pre-programmed messages, you should consider demonstrating the need for BOTH features and give specific examples for each one, preferably from the individual's real life experiences. We have successfully argued that pre-programmed capability is necessary for fast retrieval of predictable messages (giving an example from the individual's life) and that novel utterances are necessary for unpredictable situations (again with an example from the individual's life). There are some manufacturers which offer pre-selected vocabulary sets for certain devices. Some of these sets are very helpful for some users, although they need to be reviewed carefully for each individual. In any case, this generic vocabulary must be supplemented by customized and personalized vocabulary for any individual. For letters of justification in Washington State, it is very difficult to argue successfully for the addition of a pre-selected vocabulary set. As far as we know, funding agencies have not yet seen the advantage to health and safety provided by a large pre-selected vocabulary that permits a non-spelling user to compose novel messages, except when part of an encoding system such as Minspeak.. We have tended to rely on other funding sources to provide this vocabulary for all other devices. Back to Tips for Funding in WA State
|
|
|
||
|
||
III. Funding
Vocabulary size
