AAC · Accessibility · Communication Advocate

🌈 ClearSay

Aurora's dedicated accessibility specialist. ClearSay interprets AAC boards, simplifies complex responses, and acts as a full communication advocate — interacting with Aurora's tools on behalf of non-verbal users.

"Every person has a voice. My job is to make sure it reaches everywhere Aurora can go."
— ClearSay 🌈
Capabilities

What ClearSay Does

ClearSay is activated when AAC mode or non-verbal mode is turned on. She becomes the communication bridge between the user and every Aurora agent.

1
Interpret AAC Board Input
ClearSay reads emoji symbol sequences, PECS-style selections, and simple word inputs. She decodes what the user selected — "🎮 ✅ ❓" becomes "the user wants help with gaming." She understands 50+ core symbols out of the box and can be trained on custom vocabulary.
2
Confirm with the User
Before acting, ClearSay confirms what she understood in one simple sentence: "You want: gaming help. Is that right? [✅ Yes] [❌ No] [❓ More info]" — giving the user full control at every step.
3
Route to the Right Agent
ClearSay routes the request to whichever Aurora specialist is needed — GameGirl Grace for gaming, WebDev for websites, DataSci for data. She coordinates the whole agent team on behalf of the non-verbal user.
4
Simplify the Response
Agent replies are simplified to short, accessible language: max 10-12 words per sentence, no jargon, active voice, numbered steps. Emoji support is added to key words. Complex outputs become clear, visual responses anyone can follow.
5
Advocate Mode — She Acts For You
In Advocate Mode, ClearSay doesn't just translate — she acts. She navigates Aurora's apps, triggers commands, and completes tasks on behalf of the non-verbal user. The way a human communication advocate would — speaking for you, not instead of you.
6
Source Citations On Request
Ask ClearSay about autism, AAC devices, communication disorders, or disability research — she provides sourced, accurate information from ASHA, ISAAC, the DSM-5, and peer-reviewed researchers. Never guesses. Always cites.
Shareable Profile

Your ClearSay Profile

ClearSay comes with a shareable, customizable user profile. Save it as a file and bring it to any app that uses ClearSay Portable — your preferences travel with you.

What the Profile Stores
Your ClearSay profile remembers how you communicate best. Share it with caregivers, SLPs, or new devices so ClearSay can serve you immediately — no setup required.
NameYour name or the AAC user's name
Communication LevelSymbol / Phrase / Sentence
Symbol SystemEmoji, PCS, Widgit, ARASAAC, SymbolStix
AAC DeviceProloquo2Go, Grid 3, Tobii, custom
Custom PhrasesYour own symbol → meaning mappings
InterestsTopics to surface in responses
Caregiver / SLPContact info for shared access
Emergency ContactsStored securely on-device
Favorite SymbolsPinned to top of picture board
NotesAnything ClearSay should know about you
Who ClearSay Helps

Built for Every Communication Need

ClearSay has deep, source-cited knowledge of conditions that affect communication. She presumes competence always — non-verbal does not mean non-thinking.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
~1 in 36 children in the US are autistic (CDC, 2023). 25–30% are non-speaking or minimally verbal. ClearSay supports gestalt language processing, echolalia, and sensory needs. Deep familiarity with AAC research for autism.
Source: CDC (2023), Anderson et al. (2007), Prizant (1983), DSM-5 (APA, 2013)
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
50–80% of people with CP have speech or communication difficulties (Parkes et al., 2010). ClearSay supports switch access, eye gaze input, and works with GMFCS and MACS assessments when recommending AAC approaches.
Source: Parkes et al. (2010), ASHA AAC Practice Portal
ALS / MND
Progressive motor neuron disease. ClearSay understands AAC introduction timelines and supports users navigating Aurora entirely via eye gaze or minimal motor input as the condition progresses.
Source: Beukelman et al. (2011), ASHA ALS Practice Portal
Aphasia
Language loss — not intellectual disability. ClearSay uses Supported Conversation for Aphasia (SCA) principles: key words, pictures alongside text, and patience. She never talks down to the user.
Source: Kagan (1998), Communication Matters, ASHA Aphasia Portal
Rett Syndrome
Primarily affects females. Loss of purposeful hand use makes eye gaze the primary communication mode. ClearSay optimizes for low-motor-demand input and eye gaze SGD support.
Source: Sigafoos et al. (2009), ISAAC
Down Syndrome
Receptive language typically exceeds expressive language. Early AAC introduction supports and enhances speech development — it does not delay it. ClearSay knows the evidence on this thoroughly.
Source: Romski & Sevcik (1996), Beukelman & Mirenda (2013)
Angelman Syndrome
UBE3A mutation. Minimal or no spoken language. ClearSay works with symbol-based communication, SGDs, gestures, and eye gaze for more complex communication needs.
Source: ASHA, Angelman Syndrome Foundation
Selective Mutism
Anxiety disorder where speech is possible in some contexts but not others. Not a choice. Not always autism-related (though they can co-occur). ClearSay provides a no-pressure AAC alternative.
Source: DSM-5, Selective Mutism Alliance
Locked-in Syndrome
Complete paralysis except eye movement. Communication via eye gaze or minimal coding. ClearSay is built to work with whatever motor capability the user has — however minimal.
Source: ISAAC, BCI research literature
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Cognitive-communication disorders affecting attention, word-finding, and memory. ClearSay adapts to temporary or long-term AAC needs and adjusts to the user's current capacity.
Source: ASHA Cognitive-Communication Portal, Beukelman et al.
Research Grounding

Sources ClearSay Cites

When you ask ClearSay about autism, AAC, or communication disabilities, she answers with sourced information from the world's leading organisations and researchers.

ASHA
asha.org
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. AAC practice portals, autism resources, SLP standards, and evidence-based practice guidelines.
ISAAC
isaac-online.org
International Society for AAC. Global standards, research, and advocacy for augmentative and alternative communication.
ASAN
autisticadvocacy.org
Autistic Self Advocacy Network. "Nothing about us without us." Autistic-led policy and disability rights perspective.
Communication Matters
communicationmatters.org.uk
UK AAC charity. Resources for AAC users, families, and professionals. Annual conference and research network.
Beukelman & Mirenda
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (5th ed.)
The definitive AAC textbook. Participation Model, vocabulary approaches, device selection frameworks — ClearSay's core reference.
Barry Prizant
Uniquely Human (2015)
Gestalt language processing, echolalia as functional communication. Neurodiversity-affirming autism framework widely used by SLPs.
Ann Kagan
Supported Conversation for Aphasia (1998)
SCA framework — acknowledging competence, revealing competence. ClearSay uses these principles with all users with aphasia or expressive language difficulties.
Janice Light & David McNaughton
AAC Competence Model (2014)
Operational, linguistic, social, and strategic competence in AAC. ClearSay references this model when advising on AAC skill development.
CDC / DSM-5
cdc.gov · APA (2013)
Prevalence data (1 in 36, 2023) and diagnostic criteria for ASD. ClearSay uses current figures and distinguishes them from outdated statistics.
Our Commitment

ClearSay Everywhere — No UH App Ships Without Her

Understanding Humans has made a permanent commitment: every app and system we build for non-verbal users will include ClearSay. Not as an add-on. As a core layer.

Understanding Humans — Accessibility Standard

ClearSay is built into every UH product
for non-verbal users.

Aurora OS is just the beginning. Understanding Humans is building a growing ecosystem of apps and systems designed for people who communicate differently. Every single one will ship with ClearSay embedded — her symbol interpretation, simplification engine, AAC-aware responses, and advocate mode will be a standard layer across the entire UH platform. If you communicate through AAC, eye gaze, symbols, or pictures, ClearSay will be ready for you before you even open the app.

🧠
Aurora OS
The flagship platform. ClearSay is active whenever AAC mode is on — coordinating every one of Aurora's 9 specialist agents on behalf of non-verbal users.
📱
Aurora Mobile
The PWA companion app. ClearSay's picture board and AAC mode toggle are first-class features on every screen — built for one-handed and eye-gaze use.
📖
UH Learning Platform
The understanding humans education and skills app. ClearSay simplifies every lesson, label, and exercise for AAC users — ensuring learning is never blocked by communication barriers.
🎮
UH Game & Social Apps
Gaming and social features built by GameGirl Grace and ReelDeal — ClearSay translates the interface into accessible symbol-based navigation for every non-verbal user.
🏥
Health & Wellness Tools
Body scan, mood tracker, safety plans — every UH mental health and wellness tool will have ClearSay ready to simplify, advocate, and communicate on the user's behalf.
🔧
Third-Party Integration
ClearSay Portable is a standalone Python module any developer can drop into their app. One import. Full AAC layer. No rebuild required. Open to every UH partner app.
The UH Accessibility Promise: No Understanding Humans app or system designed for non-verbal users will ship without ClearSay built in. We do not treat accessibility as a future update or an optional layer. ClearSay is infrastructure — as essential as the database, as fundamental as the UI. Every person who uses AAC deserves software that speaks their language from day one.

— Understanding Humans, 2026
Get ClearSay

ClearSay is Part of Aurora OS

ClearSay comes built-in to Aurora OS — and as a standalone portable Python module you can drop into any app. Request access to the Aurora beta and get ClearSay included.