‘I have Aphasia’ is a new iOS app for people with aphasia, giving a brief but succinct explanation of their condition, which affects the ability to create and understand language. The app provides a short animated film made by people with aphasia outlining the key communication difficulties they face so that they can show it to others without the stress of trying to explain this themselves. The animation illustrates how people can assist them through understanding and patience. The iOS app is now free to download from the app store (uod.ac.uk/2u5Pvj1), a preview of the app animation can be found at aac.dundee.ac.uk/tap-and-talk.

Picture shows Shona Robison MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport) speaking at the launch event, watched by Sir Pete Downes (Principal, University of Dundee), John Connell (Chairman, NHS Tayside), Lesley McLay (Chief Executive, NHS Tayside), members of the design team and members of the user group.

The app was developed from a collaborative programme managed through THAT’s ST/ART Project, and the Tap and Talk iPad group at the University of Dundee. Through an 8-week programme of working with a professional animator the group were able to articulate their experiences of aphasia and shape and direct the production of a film and the short app animation. With support from Dogfi.sh Mobile, a Scottish media development company, that short animation has now been reproduced as a downloadable App for tablets and smart phones.

June is national ‘Aphasia Awareness Month’ and as a finale to that campaign, THAT and the University of Dundee will be launching the app on June 30th at 11 am at the Queen Mother Building on the University Campus. Representatives of all partners will be in attendance on the day – THAT, the University of Dundee, NHS Tayside (who fund the ST/ART Project) and Dogfi.sh Mobile, as well as representation and backing from the Stroke Association, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Government.