This month’s featured Liberator team member is Lilla – pronounced /lɪlə/, rhymes with vanilla.
“I’ve worked with individuals who use Liberator systems for nearly 10 years now!
I was lucky enough to be introduced to AAC back when I was still studying and working as a support worker. Back then, I had the privilege of working alongside some very experienced Minspeak users, including one of our own AAC Experience Advisers – Dale Gonelli.
Then, after attending LAMP Training myself a few years ago, I have been trialling and recommending Liberator systems for many of my own clients ever since. I’ve been working at Liberator for the last two and a half years as a consultant.”
“Aside from my speech pathology degree, I also hold a Master of Audiology Studies and I particularly enjoy working with individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing.”
“Well, I think I’m the only person in the world to have had LAMP WFL-themed nails! These were for our LAMP Congress back in 2023.”
“Beyond that fashion statement, I’m going to be cliché and say that I am an animal lover. I currently have a mini-zoo at home with 10 pets – a dog, three guinea pigs, and six parrots. Sometimes you may hear my birds chatting (or screaming) away in the background during online meetings!
One of my birds has a vocabulary of over 20 individual words, and I have also taught my guinea pigs to request treats using a single-message switch. There’s lots of communication happening in my house!”
Your AAC device is an important part of everyday life, supporting conversations, learning, and connection with others. And, just like any piece of technology you rely on, it performs best when it’s well looked after! In this blog, we’ll share our top AAC device maintenance tips – including practical care, maintenance, and tech advice to help ensure your device stays reliable, responsive, and ready when you need it!
Let’s face it – devices get dirty. Whether you’re at school, work, or just having dinner, your device comes along for the ride. Give it some cleaning attention regularly to keep it working well.
For light cleaning, use a soft, lint-free cloth on the touchscreen. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp, lint-free cloth, then dry the screen with another soft cloth. You can find more detailed cleaning tips in your device manual.
Good to know: Keyguards can go in the dishwasher!
Your device comes with a specific charger – always use that one. Try to charge your battery before it drops to 0%. Charging when your battery is above 10% can extend its life significantly. For best results, charge your device upright at room temperature on a hard surface.
Tip: Turn off your device for faster charging.
We encourage keeping your device with you and ready to use for conversations throughout the day. However, there are smart times to use sleep mode or shut down completely.
Set your auto-sleep to five minutes or less. Use sleep mode when you won’t be using your device for short periods, like during swimming.
Remember that sleep mode uses about 2% of battery per hour. Consider turning off your device completely during longer breaks, like overnight.
Like most technology, your device works best when it’s not too hot. Take breaks from heat and avoid charging if your device feels warm. Move to shade or air conditioning rather than trying to cool it with water.
Tip: Keep a low-tech communication board handy for water activities.
Software updates bring new features and vocabulary to improve your communication experience. Connect to WiFi and follow the prompts in your settings menu to get these improvements. Updates also help your device run more smoothly overall.
Tip: Plug in your device during updates to protect your battery.
Your screen is essential for accessing all your communication options. Protect it from scratches, moisture, and spills with a screen protector. This also reduces glare and reflections, making it easier to see your buttons.
Visit our online store to see screen protector options for your device.
Your device is built to be durable and handle daily life. (If you haven’t already), you might try an extra protective case designed specifically for your device model. These cases provide additional security for active use at home and out in the community.
People change, and your needs change too. It might be time to check that you’re still accessing your device in the most comfortable and efficient way possible.
Connect with your support team (or ours!) to consider adjustments like:
Our local consultants are happy to discuss access questions to help you communicate at your best.
If you’re experiencing glitches, try restarting your device first – this solves most technical problems.
If you’re still having trouble after a restart, our support team is here to help. Contact us by phone, email, or through our website, and we’ll work together to get your AAC device maintenance issue resolved – and your device running smoothly again.
Need a little support with your AAC device maintenance?
Our team is here to help you make the most of your communication device. Whether you need help with AAC device maintenance or want to explore new ways to optimise your AAC setup, we’re just a call or click away.
Contact us:
