Hello Sean!
You ask a great question that might be hard to answer with the limited amount of information you are able to share. Assuming that the barrier is only with phonation, and is not originating in the language center of the brain, a text-to-speech app on a phone or iPad might be all that is needed. There are many free and excellent apps available. Your docent could also have presentations or explanations pre-written in their smart device, and use immersive reader or other text-to-speech technology to read it to the visitor.
If your docent has a speech pathologist, or at least a speech therapist, assisting them with this transition, they may have other solutions that better fit the individual's situation.
There are so many wonderful communication tools available, your docent is sure to find a great fit.
All the best!
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Stephanie McMahon
Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist
Space Center Houston
Houston, TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-07-2021 04:02 PM
From: Sean Mobley
Subject: Methods for Communicating with Speech Loss
One of our docents has recently lost his ability to speak clearly and has asked us if we can help him find ways to get his messaging across to visitors. I know software/devices exist, and perhaps there are other methods (one of my other volunteers had a wonderful and lengthy conversation with a visitor who was deaf by exchanging notes back and forth). Does anyone have any expertise, suggestions, or resources?
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Sean Mobley
Volunteer Coordinator/Podcast Host
Museum of Flight
Seattle WA
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