Symbol Communication

Symbols are useful to people with no literacy skills, as well as helping those with limited literacy to develop a larger vocabulary. Different users can cope with widely varying levels of complexity in their symbol systems. The Grid can take the user from very simple communication screens to the more advanced arrangements.

Instant communication

You can set up a grid with just a few cells that speak as soon as they are selected. For example, you could have “yes”, “no”, “I need some help please” and “I want to do something else”.

sentence building

Moving on from this, you can have cells that contain elements of a sentence, and build sentences to allow more freedom of expression. You can link together several grids to provide a larger vocabulary divided into topics (this is often referred to as “dynamic screen communication”). Typically, the first page the user sees will display a number of topics. Selecting a topic leads to a grid with vocabulary specific to that topic.

symbols available

The Grid 2 is compatible with many types of symbols and photographs.
  • Widgit Symbols, an extensive symbol library included with The Grid 2 in most countries
  • Mayer-Johnson PCS symbols, a well-known symbol library
  • Blissymbolics, an abstract way to represent languages
  • SymbolStix, stick men with attitude
  • Makaton, symbols combined with sign languages
  • See Sense, a small, free picture library included with The Grid 2
  • Screen captures, for quickly taking photos from the internet or a digital camera
  • Double Picture - easily place pictures side-by-side in a cell
  • Picture Editor - for changing colours, combining symbols, and more
  • Snaps is a new photo library that includes over 1000 images


  • * PCS, Blissymbolcs and SymbolStix are paid-for add-ons to The Grid 2. Widgit Symbols are included.
    The Grid 2 symbols
    Word Power Talkative adjectives Talk Together home Key 48 clothes IDV A IDV A home Grid Talk home Chatterbox verbs CallTalk people The Grid 2 symbols