Despite the shift to digital, the Boardmaker brand remains the industry leader for AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools. The original CD version established the standard for:
The standardization of PCS allowed for consistency across environments. A student using a Boardmaker schedule in Texas would recognize the same symbols used in New York. This created a form of "visual literacy" among users of AAC. However, this standardization faced criticism regarding cultural representation. Early Boardmaker CDs were criticized for a lack of diversity in skin tones and culturally specific imagery. Over time, the library expanded to include multicultural add-ons, reflecting the growing awareness of inclusivity in assistive technology.
Projects created on Boardmaker 5, 6, or Studio CDs can be imported directly into Boardmaker 7 for continued use. boardmaker cd
Boardmaker CD has revolutionized the way we create and interact with educational content. Its user-friendly interface, customization options, and multimedia support make it an indispensable tool for educators, therapists, and caregivers. By providing a platform for creating interactive and engaging learning materials, Boardmaker CD has transformed the way we approach learning, making it more accessible, enjoyable, and effective. As technology continues to evolve, it's exciting to think about the new possibilities that will emerge for teaching and learning.
The core intellectual property of the Boardmaker CD was not the software interface itself, but the Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) library. Despite the shift to digital, the Boardmaker brand
Runs seamlessly on Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks.
: Modern laptops and desktop computers completely phased out built-in optical CD/DVD drives. This created a form of "visual literacy" among users of AAC
In the late 1980s and 1990s, the introduction of Boardmaker on a CD-ROM completely overhauled this workflow. It gave users instant desktop access to thousands of standardized, clear, and culturally recognizable drawings known as Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). A process that used to take hours could suddenly be completed on a desktop computer in minutes. Key Features of the Classic Boardmaker CD
The true magic of Boardmaker wasn't just the software, but its extensive library of PCS symbols. The core PCS library contained , each available in both color and black-and-white, and could be rendered in 44 different languages, making it a truly global resource. Users could further expand this library by purchasing Addendum CDs , which added thousands of specialized symbols in areas like behavior, health, and school curriculum.
The represents one of the most significant eras in the history of special education and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Developed by Mayer-Johnson (now part of Tobii Dynavox ), the classic Boardmaker disc software—culminating in the widely used Boardmaker Version 6 —was the gold standard for creating communication boards, visual schedules, and interactive learning activities for decades.
Whether you are a nostalgic educator troubleshooting an old disc or a district looking to upgrade to modern cloud software, the Boardmaker CD stands as a milestone invention that gave a voice to millions of students worldwide.
