Weave Chat AAC

What Weave Chat AAC is

Weave Chat AAC is a free augmentative and alternative communication app for people who have difficulty communicating with natural speech. Users can send picture-symbol messages, words, or both to individuals or groups in the app. The communication board and synthetic voice work offline, while in-app texting requires data or an internet connection. Users can change board layouts, button and border sizes, appearance, vocabulary, and button behavior; they can also add words and record up to 30 seconds of audio for a button. Word Finder helps locate words. A personal login can keep information and selections available across multiple devices. Weave Chat Connect provides paid options for board and folder sharing, remote account editing, and board hosting through a URL or QR code. For sharing only to a contact, only the person sharing needs a subscription. The app is available for iOS, Android, and Amazon devices, and the maker lists English and 24 other languages. The maker says it does not display advertising or share personal data with third parties. Its privacy policy notes that the app may collect contact-list or camera and photo-library information with permission, and that absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

Who it suits

Weave Chat AAC may suit people who communicate using picture symbols, words, or speech output, including users who need offline board access. The maker also describes use with school districts, hospitals, and private practices.

Limits

The core AAC app is free. Connect features are paid: board hosting and board and folder sharing are each $4 a month for AAC users or caregivers; remote editing is $6 a month for them. Professional sharing is $8 a month, and professional remote editing is $14 a month.

Getting started

1. Visit the Weave Chat website.
2. Install the app on iOS, Android or an Amazon device.
3. Use the free AAC app and customize its board, vocabulary and buttons.
4. Create a personal login to use saved information and selections across devices.
5. Choose a Connect subscription to host boards, share folders or edit accounts remotely.

Verdict

Weave Chat AAC provides customizable communication boards, speech output, and offline access to the board and synthetic voice. Users should note that texting needs connectivity and that some institutional networks may require server whitelisting.