Claudio Maggio, a 26-year-old Italian programmer, is developing a smartphone app for people with autism and other disabilities.
It’s called Soul on Display and utilizes the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), a communication aid that makes use of images and sound. Although PECS is primarily used for children with autism, it has been proven to be an effective learning tool for people of all ages who have communicative, cognitive, and physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy and deafness.
“My uncle has a son with autism and he asked me to develop an app that the boy could use,” says Maggio. “The boy cannot communicate verbally but is able to express himself through some images saved in the gallery of his tablet. My uncle told me about PECS and, after doing some research, I designed the app.”
Soul on Display is different from most PECS programs because it uses a real human voice, rather than a synthesized voice. “I think it’s much more personal with a real voice,” Maggio says. “This creates added expense on the production end but it will be a much more effective tool.”
Refers to the “word selection menu” relative on the 1.0.0.a version.
He also feels that, as a smartphone app, this type of learning program will be far more accessible to those who can benefit from it.
“I designed the interface to be simple and the images can be accessed immediately by the user,” says Maggio.
The estimated cost for fully developing the Soul on Display app and readying it for market is 6,000 Euros (about $7,400). This will cover software licenses and recording tools.
In order to generate this capital, Maggio has launched an Indiegogo campaign, which can be viewed at www.indiegogo.com/projects/soul-on-display-pecs-based-app
Donations of any amount are welcome. Backers who contribute 10 Euros ($12.30) can participate in the beta development of the app. A pledge of 25 Euros ($31) is rewarded with beta development participation plus a customized support page, which enables the user to contact Maggio with questions and concerns.
“Contributing to the Soul on Display project will help give a voice to those who cannot speak,” says Maggio. “There are millions of people who have their voices trapped in their souls. We can help them find a way out of the darkness.”
For additional information visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/soul-on-display-pecs-based-app or contact Maggio directly at claudio.maggio88@gmail.com
This image refers to the “combination menu.” In this area you can combine the words with the related verbs and complements.
This in an alternative version of the application that will be submitted to the beta testers.
Media Contact
Company Name: Soul on Display
Contact Person: Claudio Maggio
Email: claudio.maggio88@gmail.com
Phone: 888-527-0509
City: Rome
State: Rome
Country: Italy
Website: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/soul-on-display-pecs-based-app
