Technology

Communication Boards in Your Community: How These Low-Tech, High-Visibility Tools Are a Powerful Force for Awareness and Connection

Published

1 hour ago

October 1, 2026

ASHA Shares Information for October’s AAC Awareness Month

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For this year’s AAC Awareness Month (October), the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is spotlighting the importance of communication boards in public spaces.

Communication boards can help people of all ages share their wants, needs, and feelings in public areas.

Communication boards—one example of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)—typically are large displays that include pictures of a dozen or more common vocabulary words that people might use in a public space such as a library or park. Such words might include slide, go, hi, play, bathroom, or book. They are useful for people of all ages who have limited or unreliable speech—these boards allow them to communicate with others and vice versa.

The theme for this year’s AAC Awareness Month is AAC in Everyday Life: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond. The presence of communication boards is one of the more visible ways that people may experience AAC in their communities. In the United States, more than 2 million people use AAC to communicate. AAC takes many forms—from gestures and facial expressions, to picture- or text-based boards, to high-tech tools like tablets and speech-generating devices.

What is the benefit of putting large communication boards in public spaces?
Communication boards can help people of all ages share their wants, needs, and feelings in public areas. Although many people who use AAC as their primary means of communication may have individual communication boards or other personal AAC systems, large public communication boards can help to improve awareness of AAC in the greater community—and help everyone practice using it.

You may see portable communication boards in public as well—in locations like a stadium or a concert hall. These portable boards can serve as a temporary backup if the person’s primary AAC device is charging or if the AAC user needs faster access to vocabulary related to that particular place.

Anyone can benefit from having access to a communication board in public—even if they don’t have a communication or other disorder that affects their speech. For example, young children who are still learning to speak can often recognize and point to pictures before they can verbalize what they want. An adult who loses their voice temporarily can impart an urgent need in public if a board is available.

Why are these boards becoming more common?

The increasing presence of communication boards in public spaces reflects a growing need for the public to learn about AAC, which is commonly used by individuals who have a variety of conditions including but not limited to

apraxia of speech,aphasia,autism,cerebral palsy,developmental delays, andrare genetic conditions.

It also reflects an increasing desire for communities to be more inclusive to all populations.

“Public communication boards can help bridge gaps in understanding between people who have communication challenges and others in their communities,” says ASHA 2026 President Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, EdD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow. “Communication is a two-way street, and we all bear responsibility for doing our part to have successful interactions.”

What are some tips for using a communication board?
If you’re interacting with someone who wants to use a communication board, use these strategies to help improve communication success:

Point as you speak. When you say a word that’s on the board, point to it—this connects pictures to spoken words.Give the person plenty of time. Allow extra time for your communication partner to look at the board—and even more time for them to choose a word.Keep at it. Stay consistent, especially when the other person uses the board. Communication with AAC takes time—and that’s OK!Position yourself well. Stand to the side of the board so both people can see the full display and have access to all the options. If you have a phone, take a picture of the board to use as you move around the building or playground.Offer choices if needed. Ask, “Are you thinking about this?” and point to words, one by one, watching for their response.

To learn more about AAC and communication disorders, visit www.helpingyoucommunicate.org.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 247,000 members, certificate holders, and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. www.asha.org

CONTACT:
Francine Pierson
301-296-8715
fpierson@asha.org

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SOURCE American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Technology

BOSGAME Brings Everyday Computing Upgrades to Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026

Published

18 minutes ago

October 1, 2026

Selected Mini PCs will be available at 20% to 35% off for a limited time on October 6–7

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BOSGAME, a technology-based electronic product brand, will participate in Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026, offering limited-time savings on selected Mini PCs from October 6-7. Starting at 12:00 a.m. PDT on October 6, shoppers can save 20‑35% on list prices on featured models, offering a timely opportunity to upgrade their everyday computing setup for less.

As computers take on more tasks at home, consumers may prioritize different needs depending on how and where they use their devices. From home-office productivity and online learning to web browsing and media consumption, a compact PC can provide a practical computing option while taking up minimal desk space.

During Prime Big Deal Days, BOSGAME will feature four Mini PCs with different configurations to suit a range of everyday needs and budgets.

BOSGAME E5: Powered by AMD Ryzen 5 5300U, the E5 handles everyday office work, web browsing and multitasking. Triple-display support and a compact, VESA-mountable design help maximize workspace in home offices or smaller desk setups.BOSGAME E5 Plus: Built for flexible home and office productivity, the E5 Plus combines AMD Ryzen 5 5400U performance with triple 4K display support. Upgradeable memory and expandable storage also leave room for evolving computing needs.BOSGAME E2 Plus: Designed for work, study and home use, the E2 Plus supports document editing, online meetings, learning and streaming. Its compact design and triple-display capability suit classrooms, home offices and other everyday spaces.BOSGAME E3 Neo: Powered by Intel N95, the E3 Neo offers a compact solution for essential home and office computing. Triple 4K display support and 2.5G LAN add flexibility for multi-screen setups and reliable wired connectivity.

The promotion runs through October 7, with savings of up to 35%, subject to product availability and Amazon’s promotional terms.

Whether upgrading a home-office setup, adding a computer for study, or choosing a compact device for browsing and entertainment, shoppers can explore BOSGAME’s featured Mini PCs during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. For full promotion and product details, please visit the BOSGAME Amazon storefront at https://www.amazon.com/stores/BOSGAME/page/66639804-4D20-4901-A26F-0E6FE3715282.

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SOURCE Bosgame

Technology

FEAR IS BIGGER THAN EVER… AND ZERO LATENCY VR HAS THE SCIENCE TO PROVE IT

Published

18 minutes ago

October 1, 2026

Ahead of Halloween, Zero Latency VR brought in “scientist of fear” Dr. Coltan Scrivner to explain why people can’t stop playing with the things that scare them

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zero Latency VR, the world’s largest and most innovative immersive VR network, is celebrating a double Halloween anniversary: three years since the launch of Outbreak, its free-roam zombie survival shooter, and one year since the debut of Haunted, its immersive haunted house experience. Rather than mark the occasion alone, the company brought in an outside expert: Dr. Coltan Scrivner, a research scientist who studies why humans seek out frightening things for fun.

In three years, Outbreak has thrown wave after wave of the undead at guests across Zero Latency’s venues worldwide. In the year since, Haunted has barely let anyone make it through the lobby without a scream. Between the two, Halloween has become the company’s busiest and loudest season, leading Zero Latency to ask Scrivner a simple question: why do we pay money to be scared on purpose?

Scrivner is a research scientist at Arizona State University known for his work on morbid curiosity, horror, and what he calls “recreational fear”; the mixed feeling of fear and enjoyment that draws people to haunted houses, horror films, and survival games. He is the author of Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can’t Look Away, and his research has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Economist, NPR and Scientific American.

“Humans are built to play with the things that frighten us,” said Scrivner. “It’s a great way for us to learn how to better regulate our fear and anxiety. One of the best ways to learn how you and your friends react in stressful situations is to simulate a stressful situation, and immersive VR is unmatched in its ability to safely invoke fear while maintaining a playful psychological frame.”

According to Scrivner, that’s exactly what sets free-roam VR apart from other horror formats. “The very best scary games blur the line between fiction and reality,” he said. “Immersive VR pushes that boundary and opens up a whole new way to play with fear. I have never experienced a horror game as immersive as Haunted or Outbreak, both of them were scarier, and more fun, than I could have imagined.”

“We’ve had over eleven years to perfect the jump scare, and it turns out you can’t fake it. The science backs it up,” said Tim Ruse, CEO of Zero Latency VR. “If you’re not leaving Outbreak with a slightly elevated heart rate, or leaving Haunted a little rattled, we haven’t done our job. It’s nice to finally have someone with a PhD confirm that’s a good thing.”

Zero Latency has two special Halloween double-features this spooky season; guests can experience Haunted and Undead Arena, the post-apocalyptic zombie shooter game show, or combine Outbreak with Outbreak 2: Mall Mayhem for a full hour of adrenaline-filled zombie survival that will truly get the blood pumping. Book now.

ABOUT ZERO LATENCY VR:

Zero Latency VR is the global pioneer in immersive entertainment, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in location-based experiences. As the largest free-roam VR network on the planet, with 150+ cutting-edge venues across 34 countries, Zero Latency is where thrill-seekers come to live out their wildest fantasies.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Instagram and TikTok: @zerolatencyvr

LinkedIn: Zero Latency VR

Press Contact:

Luke Mitchell

PR & Communications Manager

+61 (0) 413614412

luke.mitchell@zerolatencyvr.com

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SOURCE Zero Latency VR

Technology

Fulton Financial Corporation Announces Dates for Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Release and Webcast

Published

18 minutes ago

October 1, 2026

LANCASTER, Pa., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fulton Financial Corporation (“Fulton”) (Nasdaq: FULT) today announced that it will distribute its third quarter 2026 earnings release and accompanying charts on Wednesday, October 21, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Fulton will host a conference call with analysts on Thursday, October 22, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Curt Myers, Chairman, CEO and President, will host the call. He will be joined by Rick Kraemer, Senior Executive Vice President and CFO.

The link to the webcast of this call can be found at https://investor.fultonbank.com. Participants can also access the audio-only webcast at: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/yj9w42yd.

Fulton, a more than $34 billion Lancaster, Pa.-based financial holding company, has more than 3,400 employees and operates more than 200 financial centers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia through Fulton Bank, N.A.

Additional information on Fulton can be found at https://investor.fultonbank.com.

Media Contact: Rachel Sharkey (717) 291-2831
Investor Contact: Patrick Lafferty (717) 327-2556

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SOURCE Fulton Financial Corporation