Grid 3: Empowering PWDs to communicate
Research article Open access | Available online on: 08 September, 2019 | Last update: 08 September, 2019
What is Grid 3?
Grid 3 is a comprehensive communication solution that enables people with disabilities
to communicate, learn, use different applications on their computers that are made
accessible, and control their environment. It supports many forms of alternative access
including eye gaze, switches, touch, and pointing devices. Additionally, it offers great
learning and activity tools that can be tailored to specific user needs and offer
unique opportunities for skills development. Grid 3 is available with full support for
the Arabic language.
Why Grid 3?
The solution offers many accessible applications for the user which includes phone, messaging, web browsing, social media apps, and multimedia apps. Moreover, it can be expanded to include new additional applications. Grid 3 offers a symbol-based
communication solution, for the use as an alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) for different levels of users, with attention to those who are new to AAC. It supports multiple approaches to vocabulary. Furthermore, it offers a large library of symbols from PCS, Widgit, Tawasol, and Symbol Stix. The solution supports alternative access, including eye gaze, switches, and touch devices, with emphasis on ease of setup of all kinds of access.
The symbol communication solution offers multiple libraries of voices in many
languages, including Arabic. Grid 3 offers a text communication tool with a variety of keyboards, predictable typing, and text to speech capabilities in many
languages, including Arabic. Grid 3 offers many highly
customizable, animated learning and activity tools, supported by
graphics and animations. Such activities include challenges, cause and effect exercises, interactive scenes, and tailored learning activities. Finally, it allows for the control of the environment around the user, such as controlling the TV, lights, doors, and many other devices. The Servus environment control devices expand those abilities and enable full control of the home as well as offer programmable capabilities that can be customized to the user’s needs.