Jim Walsh

This is an exciting time for anyone involved in communications. The changes that are occurring on an almost daily basis would have been mind-blowing ten to fifteen years ago.

Social media gets much of the limelight because of the high profile business dealings of the likes of Google and Facebook, as well as the inane twittering of ‘celebs’ and sportspeople. In the case of Twitter  the constant outpouring of nonsense masks the benefits of the micro site as an important personal and business method for communicating.

But an even more fundamental change is happening in the digital space.  The combination of  Apple’s foresight in developing iPhones and iPads (I know that there are others in the market, but as an Apple groupie since the mid 80s, to me Steve Jobs is God) and the software being developed through Apps and telephone applications, is leading to really exciting opportunities in every sphere.   Not just for the developers but for users of all ages and for business, social and lifestyle needs.

For example people with learning difficulties have been experiencing the benefit of technology in recent years. Communication devices using touch screens and voice recognition have been available for some years. But these are relatively cumbersome if being used to have any sort of regular dialogue with others. The advent of both the miniatuarised hardware in the form of smartphones and tablets plus app developments are changing that.

Watching Ireland AM on TV3 this morning brought this home to me forceably. A number of apps from a new Autism App store were demonstated by Colin Baker from www.backfromthefuture.com (http://www.tv3.ie/ireland_am.php?video=39042&locID=1.65.74)  Some of the apps, either free or for less than €40 seem to be able to do what communication aids costing thousands are doing at the moment.

The opportunities for ease of use along with the cost savings for the individual and the HSE, who fund many of the current devices are obvious.

Many of the current crop of communication aids for those with learning difficulties operate through symbols and illustrations.  Probably the range of symbols and situations which the new Apps can accommodate may not at the moment be able to replicate what is currently available on the larger communication aids.  But they show what the future can be for people with learning difficulties.  And they demonstrate exciting possibilities in making digital communications in all life and work situations easier and more beneficial.