Talking Buttons - AAC Board Builder

About

Struggling to communicate with a loved one after a stroke, with non‑verbal autism, or other speech impairment? Need a simple, reliable way to say "yes", "no", "pain", "water", or any daily phrase? Talking Buttons turns your Chromebook or desktop into an easy AAC communication device – a big‑button picture communication board that helps nonverbal people communicate with just a click or a recorded voice message.


👥 Who Is This Extension For?

Talking Buttons is designed as assistive technology for:

• Individuals who are speech impaired or temporarily can't speak
• People recovering from stroke, brain injury (aphasia) or speech disability
• Special needs users, including those with autism
• Caregivers and family members supporting special needs loved ones
• Hospital and clinic staff needing a bedside communication tool for patients
• Therapists and educators using Chromebooks in classrooms or therapy sessions
• Anyone who can't speak but needs to communicate

Whether you're a caregiver, therapist, or someone living with a speech impairment — this AAC extension makes augmentative communication accessible to everyone.


✨ Key Features

✅ Customizable — Large speech buttons with adjustable text, colors, and font sizes make this communication device easy for anyone to use

✅ Picture Buttons — Add images to any button to create a picture communication board or symbol board. Text overlays adjust automatically for readability on any background

✅ Multiple Layouts — Create custom grids with word buttons tailored to your needs

✅ Multi-Language Text-to-Speech — Works with any language supported by your browser's built-in Text-to-Speech engine. Adjust voice output settings for the perfect speak button experience

✅ Voice Recording — Record custom voice messages (up to 30 seconds) for any button. Your own recorded speech plays instead of text-to-speech, giving each button a personal, familiar voice

✅ Open Board Format (OBF/OBZ) — Export and import complete boards with images and recordings in the open OBF/OBZ standard. Share boards with therapists, use them in other AAC apps, or back up your communication buttons so they are never lost

✅ Cross-Platform Boards — Boards created in this extension are fully compatible with the Talking Buttons Android app and vice versa via OBF/OBZ. Build on your desktop, use on a tablet — or the other way around

✅ Yes/No and Quick Phrases — Perfect as a simple Yes/No board or expandable into a full AAC board with speech buttons for complex conversations


🏠 Where Can You Use It?

In the Classroom: Ideal for Chromebooks in schools and special education settings. Therapists and educators can build custom picture boards and share them across devices using the Open Board Format

In Hospitals and Clinics: Medical staff rely on this communication tool for patients who can't speak after surgery or due to illness. Set it up on any workstation — no special hardware needed

At Home: Help a nonverbal family member communicate daily needs — food, pain, emotions, and more using simple picture and voice button interactions on a shared family computer


🔒 Privacy & Technical Details

• Minimal permissions: The extension only requires Side Panel and Tabs access. Microphone permission is requested by the browser only when you choose to record a voice message. No data leaves your device.
• Data Privacy: All data is processed and stored locally in your browser. No cloud storage or data collection. Your assistive communication data stays with you.
• Chrome TTS support: Works with any language supported by your browser's Text‑to‑Speech voices. The timbre of the voice (female or male) depends on the speech synthesis settings of your laptop, desktop, or Chromebook.
• Reliable offline use: Once your boards are created, you can rely on them even without internet access.


💡 Why Choose Talking Buttons?

Many AAC solutions are expensive, overly complex, and require extensive setup. We offer a lightweight, instant-start, affordable alternative:

➤ Simplicity: Easier to learn than complex AAC software, allowing users to start communicating in seconds.
➤ Customizable: Unlike a fixed communication board, you can change every aspect — text, colors, images, and voice recordings.
➤ Affordable: An accessible alternative to costly AAC communication device hardware.
➤ Immediate: Install and start using it as a speech impairment aid immediately.
➤ Open Format: Boards use the Open Board Format (OBF/OBZ) standard — share them with therapists, import into other AAC apps, and never be locked into one platform.

Don't let speech disability silence you or your loved ones. Experience the power of simple assistive technology.

🌐 Add Talking Buttons to Chrome and start communicating today!