WordPower software is a unique vocabulary design for augmentative/alternative communication devices. WordPower combines the features of core vocabulary, spelling and word prediction. Several versions of this popular programme are available on Vantage, Vanguard, Pathfinder and Liberator 14 communication aids:

    

          Vantage                            Vanguard                         Liberator 14

The system takes advantage of the fact that while we may have a normal speaking vocabulary of between 10,000 and 30,000 words, a core of just 100 words accounts for approximately 50 percent of words spoken. Kucera and Francis' 1967 study, which analyzed written language samples for word frequency, revealed the following:

• The top 10 words account for 24 percent of written text
• The top 50 words account for 41.2 percent of written text
• The top 100 words account for 48.1 percent of written text

The following is a sample of those frequently occurring words:

I	to	you	the	that	have
a	it	my	and	of	will
in	is	me	on	do	was

Words such as these are repeated over and over throughout our language. WordPower uses these 100+ core words in conjunction with spelling and word prediction. Word prediction systems have provided more and more advantages in the last few years including features such as grammatical prediction, frequency, recency, and the ability to easily add words.

WordPower was originally designed for an individual in need of an augmentative communication device based on words. A vocabulary based on pre-stored sentences would not meet his communication needs. Though he could see the advantage of a picture-based system with symbol sequencing, he did not want to learn the complex language coding system. At the same time, he wanted more than a system based on spelling and word prediction. WordPower provided him a fast and efficient language, with minimal time and effort required for learning the system.

The core words of WordPower are categorized, color-coded and alphabetized for easy access. The main semantic categories include:

Questions Interjections Pronouns Negatives Helping verbs Verbs

Articles Prepositions and conjunctions Describing words Indefinite pronouns Time words

There are now several versions of WordPower for our communication aids. Though each platform varies and takes advantage of specific software features, the basics of WordPower remain consistent across each device. The programmes include:

For Vantage / Vanguard communication aids

• Picture WordPower 45 (PCS)
• Picture WordPower 84 (PCS)
• Picture WordPower 84 (PCS) No keyboard
• Picture WordPower 45 (PCS) Phrases and Categories
• WordPower 45 (PCS)
• WordPower 84 (PCS)
• Picture WordPower 45
• Picture WordPower 84
• Picture WordPower 84 No keyboard
• Picture WordPower 45 Phrases and Categories
• WordPower 45
• WordPower 84

For Liberator 14 communication aid:

• Picture WordPower 60 (PCS) Phrases and Categories
• Picture WordPower 84 (PCS)
• Picture WordPower 144 (PCS)
• WordPower 84 (PCS)
• WordPower 144 (PCS)
• Scanning WordPower 144 (PCS)
• Picture WordPower 60 Phrases and Categories
• Picture WordPower 84
• Picture WordPower 144
• WordPower 84
• WordPower 144
• Scanning WordPower 144 

Examples of WordPower programmes for Vantage / Vanguard

Picture WordPower 45

Picture WordPower 84

... and Picture WordPower 144 for Liberator 14

 

Please call Liberator Sales on 0845 226 1144 for a free demonstration of WordPower and Picture WordPower.