At Community Vision’s recent Party for Possibilities, we featured the work of our Assistive Technology (AT) Lab. In particular, we made a video about Kyle’s story and how the AT Lab supported his communication needs.
Like a lot of 33-year-olds, Kyle likes to listen to pop music, travel, and watch sports. He’s a regular at the monthly AAC Social Group hosted by the AT Lab. AAC stands for Augmentative & Alternative Communication. It refers to technology that supports communication.
Kyle uses AAC. He relies on his eyes to use his communication device.
“I like to go to the AT Lab to learn how to communicate with others and see my friends that have the same devices as me,” Kyle said.
“One of the first things you’ll notice when you meet Kyle is his amazing smile,” said Noelle Birky, assistant director of the AT Lab. “And he’s hilarious.”
Noelle got to know Kyle through the AAC Social Group. She worked with Kyle and his mother, Shawna, to find a new communications device for Kyle. His new device works better for him and for his care team. It also has fun things like emojis.
“The new device gives him a lot more independence,” Shawna said.
Kyle works as a door greeter at the ReTails Thrift Store in Vancouver, Washington, where he lives. His device is programmed with greetings. He tells people, “I use my eyes to speak.”
“I think that Kyle leads a really full life, and just like everyone else he’s got hopes and dreams,” Noelle said. “The AT Lab is here to help him do all of those things.”
