top of page

RKA Signs

Having a Backup Voice- My Experience Using an AAC Device as an Adult


There's a subtle irony in what I do and who I am, in a way that is very difficult for me to put my finger on. This post is quite a bit more vulnerable and personal than most of my other content. I daresay in a society and near-constant AI slop, real is bold, and real is relevant.


My JOB is to give people a voice, but sometimes, I can't use mine. When I voice-interpret, I am bold, I am articulate, and I am clear. When I express myself verbally, I stutter, sometimes I feel shy. Sometimes, I can't speak at all. My voice will literally become inaccessible to me.


The exact diagnosis for this "quirk" that I have is irrelevant to me. Based on research, and the contexts in which it happens, it seems to be a form of selective mutism and/or a trauma response. I have a very intense "freeze mode" and I have an fairly extensive trauma history.


I have NEVER (knock wood) gone mute while interpreting. It generally happens in therapy when I'm discussing topics that are triggering or when I'm in an intimate setting with my husband. This has happened in medical and emergency settings.


So what do I do? There's always a need for communication. At first, I used communication cards. These were very basic. I used index cards and colored markers to write common phrases.


However, almost immediately, I realized I needed a generative language. The cards never said what I wanted to say, or how I wanted to say them.


I turned to the language I adore- ASL. This worked fabulously. When my husband didn't know a sign, I would fingerspell the word slowly. He would catch on, but I could tell it was forcing him to carry much more of the burden of communication since it's a language he's not fluent in.


Then something happened that shook me to my core. I miscarried. I was 15 weeks along when I started bleeding. I was having labor contractions. At the ER, I was mute. In follow-up doctor appointments, I was mute. No one cared about me. At least that's how it felt when the doctors refused to give me an emergency D&E. They gave me a prescription for narcotic drugs and sent me home. They told me to return if the pain was unbearable, or if I started to get sepsis.


I ended up going to Planned Parenthood, over an hour away from home. They gave me a next day appointment. I was mute. They gave me fentanyl. I stopped breathing, so they had to wake me up. What I experienced next was likely one of the most traumatizing things I've experienced to date. The procedure felt like I was being sexually assaulted, which is something I have experienced before.


During that week, my husband had to speak for me. At times, I had to write things down to communicate. My husband didn't know what I needed or what I wanted to say. He told me that during the procedure I fingerspelled "s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d" over and over. I don't remember this, because of the drugs.


That week showed me I needed a backup voice. I wasn't going to let that happen again. That's when I found Speech Assistant AAC. It is available on android and IOS. This app is FREE, but you can upgrade it for around $10. The upgraded version allows far more customization, unlimited saves phrases and words, colors, and more.



This app has literally changed my life. I bought a USB microphone on Facebook Marketplace for $15. The microphone can pick up my voice or the AAC voice very clearly and easily, allowing me to communicate during therapy appointments.


The app is able to sync across devices, so I have it on my smartphone as well. Speaking on smartphones, did you know Google Pixel 8a has live captions and an AAC voice in the accessibility settings for phone calls?



Lastly, there is Real Time Texting. Check out this video:



I am very grateful for this day and age of technology I live in. It's amazing for resources, education, and accessibility in so many ways. Some of these can be good options for deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals as well.


Do you have a need for tech accessibility? Share with me what tools you use!




 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

bottom of page