Alela is a unique image-based communication app for non-speaking people with communication difficulties. This includes people with autism (autism spectrum), Down syndrome (trisomy 21), intellectual disabilities, dementia or aphasia.
Alela was developed with the observation that communication is a collaborative process. Therefore it has a listening function which understands the communication partner by translating spoken language into images. This allows Alela to integrate naturally into the users everyday communication and social environment. Alela can not only listen but also understand questions and suggest possible answers. Thus anyone can easily communicate with the user without having to learn how Alela works beforehand.
Alela is free in the basic version and works without signing up. So it can be tried out without any obligations or subscriptions. An upgrade to the Pro version is possible at any time.
Alela has a variety of features for image-based communication. This includes:
• Listen
The ”Listen” function simultaneously translates spoken language into images.
• Answer
Alela understands ”yes-no questions” and ”or questions” and suggests answers.
Search
Find every word in Alela’s vocabulary with the search function.
Practice
Practice forming sentences with the ”Practice” function.
• Personalize
Alelas vocabulary can be completely edited and personalized. Alela supports this process with hints ensuring a growing vocabulary always remains perfectly structured.
Image language
Alela has a specially developed image language in which gender, skin color and hair color can be customized.
• Level based vocabulary
The size of the vocabulary can be chosen based on the communication abilities of the user.
• Button behavior
The behavior of the buttons can be adjusted to the needs of the user in many ways.
• Color code
Either words can be colored according to common color schemes (Fitzgerald Key, Montessori and others) or categories can be colored.
• Offline usage
Alela can be used completely offline. The listening function requires an Internet connection on some older devices.
Notice:
Some of the above features are limited in the free basic version. Nevertheless the basic version offers essential functionality for image-based communication.