About Model Communicator
Free, research-based AAC, built in Michigan by a speech-language pathologist and a school technology director.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain
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Core words from a MoCo board. Everyone deserves the tiles to say them.
At Model Communicator, we believe that everyone deserves a voice.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps change lives for individuals who are nonspeaking or minimally speaking, those who have intermittent or unintelligible speech, or anyone who needs a little extra support. Unfortunately, robust communication apps are typically costly, which means that the price of AAC is a barrier to communication itself.
The Solution
Model Communicator is a full-featured, research-based AAC system. MoCo’s core language system will always be free across all grid sizes, forever. No trial and no account required.
The Team Behind MoCo
Kara Cotter, MS CCC-SLP
Chief Executive Officer
Kara is an Assistive Technology Specialist with a focus on Augmentative and Alternative Communication. She built Model Communicator because she grew tired of watching firsthand as budget constraints prevented people from accessing the tools they need to communicate. Kara brings deep clinical expertise in AAC and communication disorders, ensuring Model Communicator meets the real-world needs of communicators and their support teams.
AAC/Assistive Technology Specialist M.S. Speech-Language Pathology, Moravian University
Jim Tyler, MS, CTO
Chief Technology Officer
Jim is a Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) Certified CTO, a two-time Microsoft MVP for Azure PowerShell, and the author of PowerShell for Systems Engineers. He holds a Master of Science in Information Systems Management, and serves as a K-12 Director of Technology and Board of Education member. He built Model Communicator because he watched school districts struggle to afford AAC tools and heard parents describe choosing between communication apps and groceries.
MSBO Certified CTO 2x Microsoft MVP M.S. Information Systems Management
Model Communicator was built with the expertise of the AAC research community and the feedback of speech-language pathologists, educators, and families.
What we stand for
Three commitments we have written down and will keep updated.
Frictionless Philosophy
Nothing to buy, nothing to approve, nothing to wait for. How we remove the friction that keeps AAC from the people who need it.
Use of AI
Exactly how we used AI tools to build Model Communicator, and confirmation that no AI service receives what you say.
Carbon Commitment
Where our footprint comes from, and our plan to move development to small, local, open-source models.
Technology
Model Communicator is built with modern, open web technologies: SvelteKit for the frontend, Microsoft Azure for hosting and backend services. Symbol libraries include Mulberry Symbols (open source), OpenMoji, and custom AI-generated symbols.
Open Board Format
Model Communicator supports the Open Board Format (OBF) standard for AAC grid import and export. This means grids created in Model Communicator can be shared with other OBF-compatible AAC apps, and vice versa. Interoperability matters, your communication system shouldn't lock you in.
Multi-Platform
Web
Available now at modelcommunicator.com. Works on any device with a modern browser.
iOS
iPad app available now. iPhone app in development.
Android
Planned for Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore (Fire tablets).
Free forever. Start today.
No trial and no account required. Open the web app now, or install the iPad app.