Assistive communication devices: Call for specifications

Many types of assistive communication devices have become available in the past decade for individuals requiring augmentative and alternative communication. Choosing appropriate devices is frequently a difficult decision, due in part, to the vast variety of available options. Device characteristics such as memory capability, programming requirements, and input and output features lend themselves to the development of specifications. The authors describe a number of these device characteristics and call for collaboration among manufacturers, researchers, clinicians/educators, and consumers to begin to collect, develop, and report specifications to aid in the device selection process.