Cboard — Open-Source AAC Platform for Children with Speech and Language Impairments

Cboard is a free, open-source, browser-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) platform created in 2017 by Martín Bedouret with Cireha, letting non-verbal children (autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, acquired speech loss) generate synthesised speech from pictographic symbol boards; UNICEF's Innovation Fund invested in Cireha to scale and localise the platform, now a certified Digital Public Good available in 40+ languages with users in 80+ countries.

A 2019–2022 UNICEF Switzerland-coordinated pilot across five Balkan countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) reached more than 3,000 children and trained over 1,000 speech therapists and other specialists; impact measured with the validated Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) showed consistent gains in competence, self-esteem and adaptability. A 2023 UNICEF Timor-Leste/Microsoft four-month pilot used PIADS pre- and post-assessment with 76 students across three schools.