National Resource Centre for AAC and Assistive Technology

This is the only specialized centre, first of its own kind that has been set up in the eastern India to cater to the needs of users with complex communication needs and challenges in using technologies.

National Resource Centre for AAC and Assistive Technology

Contact Person: Krishnarupa Chowdhury, Head

Contact Person: Sandip Halder, Deputy Head

AAC is a term used to describe a broad range of communicative behaviors and methods which support and enhance speech attempts of people who are unable to talk. AAC includes methods ranging from simple techniques to complicated devices that are assistive technology (AT).

National Resource Centre for AAC or Roshni displays and demonstrates all AAC and AT resources developed in India and standard devices commercially available for users, parents, trainees and professionals. It caters to the users with complex communication needs and loco-motor impairment such as stroke patients, brain and spinal injury patients, throat cancer patients, persons with autism, aphasia, learning problems and multiple disabilities. The key strength of Roshni is a very strong team of professionals and pro-active AAC users. Roshni has a strong research base, with software developers and designers dedicated to the cause and experienced AAC users who are involved at every stage of development. It has strong links with national and international technical institutes and universities. Roshni has worked with IIT, Kharagpur (one of the premier technical institute of India) for collaborative research and development.

At Roshni, we offer the following range of services

  • Assessment of individual needs
  • Providing customized solutions with help of low-tech and hi-tech resources for users with technological support
  • Training for the professionals, users and families. We also disseminate a range of resource material in Hindi, English and Bengali, developed by IICP. We provide tailor-made need-based training for the target groups.
  • Providing solutions for inclusion in school and workplace (for users, schools and employers)
  • Research and development of low-tech and hi-tech resources in the form of
    • Various Multimedia software
    • Alternative access options
    • Communication hardware
    • Voice Output Devices
    • Training and Teaching Material (Free downloadable demos of multimedia software and easy to use resource material are available on the web.)
  • Field-testing of devices and software with suggestions for modifications
  • We also have online training modules available

Roshni uses and develops low-tech and hi-tech resources to provide opportunities for inclusion in regular activities including education and employment for the users. The non-technical resources are printed displays and books that facilitate communication for users at various levels of needs and cognition.

We Offer The Following Range of Services


Using a Special Keyboard

Assessment of individual needs

Using a Switch for Typing

Providing customized solutions with help of low-tech and hi-tech resources for users with technological support

Typing by Using a Switch with Head

Training for the professionals, users and families. We also disseminate a range of resource material in Hindi, English and Bengali, developed by IICP. We provide tailor-made need-based training for the target groups.

Using an Adapted Toy

Providing solutions for inclusion in school and workplace (for users, schools and employers)

I can ‘Talk’ with My Spell Board

Research and development of low-tech and hi-tech resources in the form of Various Multimedia software, Alternative access options, Communication hardware, Voice Output Devices, Training and Teaching Material(Free downloadable demos of multimedia software and easy to use resource material are available on the web).

I can ‘Talk’ with Pictures and Words

Field-testing of devices and software with suggestions for modifications

I can ‘Talk’ with an Android Tab

I can ‘Talk’ with an Android App

Using Android App to communicate.

I can ‘Talk’ with a Special Android App

Using android phone to communicate.

Low Tech Communication Aids at Roshni

Communication Display

A range of communication displays in print. These are displays for daily needs, general social conversation, specific need based conversation, chat books, communication dictionaries, topic based displays and spell boards etc. to satisfy needs of users to provide customized solutions.

Language Development

A range of material for language development and participation in classroom for young users. These are books of rhymes, story-books, reading kit etc.

HI-TECH AIDS

Kathamala

A 16 message (64 messages in version II) VOCA can be used by picture / picture word / text users at any level for social communication, lectures and classroom participation.

Adapted Toys

Battery-run toys adapted to be operated with switches are also available. Use and training in Software – hardware systems – apps and software.

Tabs with special apps

Tabs with special app .

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