KalamOur story
Kalam began as a tool for one person we love, as ALS took their speech — a way to keep a thought from staying trapped inside. We are sharing it in case it helps yours.
Losing speech is one of the hardest parts of ALS and conditions like it — for the person living it, and for those beside them. Kalam is a simple way to keep communicating, built from our own experience.
The Kalam communication board
Ready to try it? It opens straight in your browser — no account, and nothing leaves your device.
At a glance
Kalam is a free AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tool built around a simple communication board, spelling, text-to-speech and switch access.
Free
No account or subscription. Kalam costs nothing to use.
Private and offline
Works without internet once installed. No tracking or data collection; everything stays on the device.
Touch, keyboard, or switch
Use touch, a keyboard, an inexpensive Bluetooth remote, a game controller, a foot pedal, or an adaptive switch.
Build, spell, and speak
Select phrases, spell any word, speak messages aloud, and customize labels and names around the person.
What you need
Use Kalam on a tablet, laptop, or desktop with a modern browser. A 10-inch tablet or larger is recommended; the communication board is not designed for phones.
Touch requires no additional equipment. If you have a keyboard, you already have a switch.
For one-switch access, everyday hardware often works — a keyboard, Bluetooth remote, game controller or foot pedal. Kalam doesn’t require a specialist switch to get started. Specialist adaptive switches work too.
Could Kalam work for us?
Kalam is designed for people whose speech has become difficult, tiring, unreliable, or lost because of ALS, stroke, or a similar condition. It can also be introduced earlier as a backup, while the person can still help choose vocabulary and become familiar with the board.
Preparing communication early →
Kalam may be suitable when
- The person can reliably use touch, a keyboard, or a single switch.
- They can see and understand the choices on the board.
- Someone can help set it up at first.
- A tablet or computer is available.
Kalam may not be sufficient when
- The person cannot reliably activate any of the supported inputs.
- Eye gaze access is currently needed.
- The person cannot navigate a board, visually or cognitively.
- Communication needs call for a professional AAC assessment beyond what Kalam offers.
Kalam does not currently support eye gaze. Eye-gaze and webcam-based access remain on the roadmap.
Get in touch
Questions, an idea, or a resource we should add? We read every message.