Strike a Chord: Making Communication Accessible, One App at a Time

Martin Brooks lives in England with his ten-year-old daughter Mia, who has a disability that keeps her from speaking. Brooks said he tried all kinds of technology to help Mia communicate, without success. 

"So I just remember thinking, there had to be a different way, a better way, that was portable, affordable, and easy to personalize," said Brooks. 

He realized the answer was the iPhone in his pocket. He decided to make an app called iComm. It allows you to upload photos of everyday items, and even family members. Touch the item, and the app says the word out loud, like "grandma." And Brooks said the technology has brought out Mia's voice. 

"She has a lot to say," said Brooks. "And if technology can enable that, that's going to be fantastic."

Brooks said over 100,000 people have downloaded iComm. And there are hundreds more assistive communications apps out on the market. 

"I'm very excited about the future, about what technological changes will happen that will allow my daughter to be able to express herself, to be able to communicate more easily," Brooks said. "And you know, when she grows up, maybe to even get a job." 

Brooks has made other customizable apps that help kids learn better communication, like one that teaches phonics called iSpy Phonics. 

It looks like the digital revolution has been revolutionary in more ways than one.