Communicate: Symwriter, the exciting successor to Writing with Symbols 2000, is suitable for people of all ages, and includes a word and symbol processor which is designed to assist emergent writers to see the meaning of the words as they write. People who cannot use a standard keyboard can write in flexible ways by selecting from grids and buttons. These grids can be easily created using text, text and symbols, or symbols on their own.

Communicate: In Print 2 is a flexible symbol supported desktop publishing package for creating books, worksheets, newsletters and posters. This is a truly inclusive tool for adapting texts for any audience – and allows you to produce materials using text alone or text accompanied by symbols.

Both programs come with over 8,000 Widgit Literacy Symbols. Users can also drag and drop pictures and photos onto the page. The ‘smart symbolising’ technology built into Communicate:Symwriter enables accurate symbolisation of text by analysing the grammar of the sentence and choosing the symbol that best represents that part of speech.

Speech feedback can be used to speak individual letters, words and sentences as they are created, or to hear whole documents read back. The pictorial spell checker and symbol viewer helps users understand the meaning of selected words by illustrating them with symbols, whether or not you are using symbols in the finished document.

Come to this practical hands-on session in our computer lab to experience the programs for yourself. Learn how to:

• Use supported document writing in SymWriter
• Create grids for writing in SymWriter
• Create symbol books in InPrint
• Create worksheets in InPrint

You will be sure to leave with many ideas of how to develop a variety of symbol resources for the people you are supporting and what you need to consider on the way!