The Boardmaker CD represents a pivotal era in special education, serving as the industry standard for creating Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) long before the advent of iPads and cloud-based apps. For decades, these physical discs were the primary tool for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and teachers to design laminated communication boards and visual schedules for students with complex communication needs. The Legacy of the Boardmaker CD
While modern classrooms have largely shifted to digital subscriptions, the Boardmaker CD is remembered for several key characteristics:
Offline Reliability: Unlike modern cloud tools, the CD version functioned entirely without an internet connection, making it a stable fixture in diverse classroom environments.
One-Time Purchase: Users often preferred the CD because it avoided the recurring subscription fees associated with newer versions like Boardmaker Online.
Customization: It allowed educators to print tailored visual supports, such as Fokes Sentence Builders, to help students structure language visually. Transition to Boardmaker 7
The era of the CD has officially wound down as technology evolved. Tobii Dynavox, the current developer, has replaced the physical discs with Boardmaker 7, which offers: Welcome to Boardmaker 7 Personal!
The Evolution of Accessibility: The Legacy and Transition of Boardmaker
IntroductionFor over three decades, Boardmaker has been the cornerstone of special education and speech-language pathology. Originally distributed via physical media like the Boardmaker CD-ROM, this software revolutionized how educators and therapists created symbol-supported resources for individuals with complex communication needs. While the physical CD is now largely a relic of the past, its impact laid the foundation for modern, cloud-based assistive technology.
The Era of the Boardmaker CDIn its early years, the Boardmaker CD (specifically versions like Boardmaker Plus! V.6) was a prized tool in classrooms. It provided a massive library of Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)—simple, clear drawings used to represent words and concepts. For the first time, teachers could easily print customized communication boards, visual schedules, and interactive activities. However, this era came with technical hurdles: discs could be lost or scratched, and the software often required the CD to be physically present in the drive to run, leading to "CD-wars" in schools with limited copies. boardmaker cd
Boardmaker Plus! Australian/New Zealand Version 6 for Windows
Boardmaker CD (specifically the CD-ROM software version) was a standard tool for educators and therapists to create Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) for students with speech and language disabilities. While largely superseded by cloud-based subscriptions, the CD version remains a "vintage" staple for its one-time cost and offline functionality. OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Key Features and Use Cases Symbol Creation
: Primarily used to design communication boards, activity cards, and instructional materials using standardized symbols or photos. Offline Access
: Unlike modern versions, the CD software does not require an ongoing subscription, making it a preferred "permanent" asset for some clinicians. Compatibility : Files created (typically with extensions like
) can often be imported into newer systems or third-party AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) software. OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Modern Alternatives
For those looking for updated features or tablet compatibility, the following options are available:
Boardmaker Online : Spectronics - Inclusive Learning Technologies
Boardmaker Online features not to miss! With the Online Editor, you can do it all online from any computer. Spectronics - Inclusive Learning Technologies Download your 30-day free Trial - Boardmaker The Boardmaker CD represents a pivotal era in
Boardmaker, a software suite by Mayer-Johnson (now Tobii Dynavox), has been the cornerstone of special education and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for over 30 years
. Centered on the Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) library, it enables the creation of visual supports like communication boards and schedules for individuals with speech and language disorders. From Disc to Digital: The Evolution of Boardmaker
Historically, Boardmaker was primarily distributed via CD-ROM, with Boardmaker Version 6
representing the peak of this physical media era. These "Classic" versions required a physical disc to run, serving as a vital offline tool for teachers and speech-language pathologists in classrooms.
The platform has since transitioned from these legacy CDs to digital and subscription-based models: Getting Started - Boardmaker Online
Boardmaker, developed by Mayer-Johnson (now part of Tobii Dynavox), is a software program designed to create printed visual supports. The "CD" refers to the CD-ROM format that dominated the market from the early 1990s through the late 2000s.
The magic of the Boardmaker CD wasn’t just the software interface—it was the Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) . Each CD came loaded with a massive library of black-and-white or simple color line drawings. These symbols represented nouns, verbs, emotions, and abstract concepts.
Unlike vague clip art, PCS symbols were designed with linguistic clarity in mind. A child with autism or apraxia could look at a symbol for "drink" and immediately understand its meaning. Insert CD (or install from CD, keep CD
Bring communication, learning, and creativity to life with Boardmaker CD — an accessible toolkit that helps educators, therapists, and families build visual supports, interactive lessons, and printable materials with ease.
In an era of iPads and cloud-based apps, you might be surprised to learn the CD version is still widely used. Here is why it remains valuable:
1. Reliability and Speed Because the CD installs the software locally on the hard drive, it opens instantly and runs without lag. There is no buffering, no login screens, and no fear of the internet going down during a session.
2. Consistency for Students Many students with cognitive delays rely on routine and visual consistency. If a student has been using the classic PCS symbols for years, the CD ensures the symbols look exactly the same today as they did five years ago. This reduces cognitive load for the student.
3. No Subscription Required Unlike modern software that often operates on a monthly or yearly subscription model, the CD is a "perpetual license." Once you buy it, you own it. For districts with tight budgets, this is a major advantage.
At its core, Boardmaker is a software program used to create symbol-based communication and learning materials. It was developed to support learners with speech and language impairments, autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities that make verbal communication challenging.
The classic Boardmaker CD (most commonly Boardmaker v6) is a standalone disc you install directly onto a computer. It doesn't require an internet connection to run, which has historically made it a favorite for schools with unreliable Wi-Fi or strict privacy policies.