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Communication aids service

We help people with MND experiencing speech or communication difficulties, or if you want to prepare for the potential need for assistance in the future. This might include the use of communication aids, computer access systems, or using technology to create a synthetic version of your own voice.

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What is this service?

What help and information will I need?

A speech and language therapist (SLT) is the best placed professional to help you with communication aids.

An occupational therapist (OT) is the best placed professional to help you with environmental controls and computer access.

For more information and resources about this, see our page on speech and communication.

How does the Communication Aids Service work?

We can offer equipment loan and financial support for communication aids and environmental controls, including adapted switches or devices to use computers.

We can also provide guidance on how to obtain equipment and support from health and social care services, where some items may be free of charge.

If your supporting professional is unable to provide a device for you, they can apply to us for support using the Equipment loan form. This can be used to apply for items such as:

  • Voice banking equipment

  • Text to speech devices (including tablets and apps)

For more information on how we loan apps please see this document

Our MND Support Grant (Care) form can be used to apply for other less common solutions such as smartphones or unique bespoke devices.

If your supporting professional is unsure which form to use please ask them to contact communicationaids@mndassociation.org for guidance.

How can you help me with voice banking?

We can loan equipment such as:

  • Headset microphone

  • Laptop

You can apply for this by using our Equipment loan form.

We have created comparison charts of the voice banking services to help you understand the options.

Services charge a fee for generating a synthetic version of your voice, but we can help to fund this.

For more information about voice banking, and how to record your speech for future use as a synthetic voice, see our page on speech and communication.

For all other services (CereVoice MeThe Voice Keeper and VocaliD) please complete our Voice banking support grant form to apply.

What we offer?

  • Equipment loan
  • Financial support

Good to know

What people say

Now I know there is help out there about voice banking and communication aids... Thank you" - Person with MND

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