News

< All news stories

VocaTempo app included on the UNICEF App Catalogue

7 December 2021

UNICEF has published its App Catalogue: a library of reliable disability-inclusive digital applications supporting children, adolescents, caregivers and frontline workers. VocaTempo, the voice input augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app, developed by CATCH and Barnsley Hospital's Assistive Technology Team working with Therapy Box Ltd, has been included in this catalogue.

The UNICEF App Catalogue is a collection of apps developed by the public and private sector and assessed by UNICEF for functionality, use by children, and accessibility. They have brought together a series of child-friendly and inclusive apps, including VocaTempo, to support children and their families. VocaTempo is the world's first voice input augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app. It is designed for people with dysarthria and allows them to use voice commands to speak phrases.

The catalogue says that "VocaTempo quickly learns to recognise your vocalisations – simply click to record your speech and save it. If you're not happy with the recording you can review or re-record at any time. When you've recorded eight different recordings of each vocalisation you can use your speech to select phrases on screen. The more vocalisations you save the more phrases you are able to choose from and speak.

"VocaTempo also continually learns to improve its recognition of your voice. Each time you use the app to speak, these recordings are saved and used to help VocaTempo recognise your speech in the future. You can also easily delete them or turn the continuous learning feature off."

This app is featured in the UNICEF App Catalogue. It has been assessed by UNICEF for functionality, use by children and accessibility. This assessment does not constitute ongoing endorsement of the app content or assessment of cost.

UNICEF App Catalogue