About
Cboard is a free, open-source web-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) application designed to help people with speech and language impairments communicate using symbol-based boards and text-to-speech (TTS) output. Users tap pictograms or symbols to construct phrases and sentences, which are then spoken aloud by a TTS engine in over 40 supported languages. The app is backed by UNICEF's Innovation Fund and has been piloted across multiple countries. Caregivers, therapists, and educators can fully customize communication boards—adding, rearranging, or removing symbols—to match each user's specific needs. Cboard supports the Open Board Format (OBF/OBZ), enabling interoperability with other AAC tools such as Snap Core First and Proloquo2Go. Boards can be saved to user accounts, synced across devices, shared with other users, and exported for portability. As a Progressive Web App (PWA), Cboard runs in any modern browser and can be installed on desktop or mobile devices, including Android and iOS, with offline functionality available after the initial load. Its open-source codebase on GitHub welcomes community contributions, including translations from a global volunteer network, making it a strong option for low-resource or multilingual settings.
Key Features
- Symbol-Based Communication Boards: Users tap pictograms to build phrases and sentences, which are spoken aloud via built-in text-to-speech—providing a digital alternative to traditional paper communication boards.
- 40+ Language Text-to-Speech: TTS output is supported in over 40 languages, making Cboard accessible to a global and multilingual user base including low-resource regions.
- Customizable & Shareable Boards: Therapists, parents, and educators can create, edit, and share personalized boards, then sync them across devices via user accounts.
- Open Board Format (OBF) Support: Boards can be imported and exported in the Open Board Format, ensuring interoperability with other AAC tools and preventing vendor lock-in.
- Progressive Web App (PWA): Cboard works offline after first load, can be installed on Android and iOS without an app store, and runs in any modern desktop or mobile browser.
Pros
- Completely Free & Open Source: Cboard is free to use with no paywalled core features, and its source code is publicly available on GitHub, allowing community contributions and self-hosting.
- Broad Language Support: With TTS and interface translations in 40+ languages driven by a global volunteer community, Cboard serves diverse linguistic and geographic contexts.
- Interoperable with Other AAC Tools: Open Board Format support means boards created in Cboard can be used in other AAC platforms, giving users freedom to switch tools without losing their work.
- No App Store Required: As a PWA, Cboard can be installed directly from a browser on any device, lowering the barrier to access for users in restricted or low-bandwidth environments.
Cons
- Limited Advanced AAC Features: Compared to commercial AAC apps like Proloquo2Go or Snap Core First, Cboard lacks advanced features such as dynamic vocabulary systems, motor planning layouts, or built-in robust analytics.
- Relies on Browser TTS Quality: Text-to-speech output depends on the device's built-in browser TTS engine, which varies in naturalness and quality across platforms and languages.
- Community-Driven Support: Without a dedicated commercial support team, users seeking hands-on technical or clinical assistance may find resources limited to community forums and documentation.
