Helping people keep talking
ALSChat is a free, browser-based communication board built for people whose speech or fine motor control has been affected by ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and similar conditions.
Two ways to select
Manual Mode: A caregiver sits facing the patient, watches which direction the patient's eyes point, and taps the matching group/letter. No camera is needed. Semi-automatic Mode (blink scanning): The patient can use this alone, without a caregiver right next to them — only a front-facing camera is required. Groups and letters highlight one at a time; the patient blinks for about half a second to confirm.
Many languages, one layout
The same circular layout adapts to Korean (with full 자음/모음 syllable composition), English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, German, Vietnamese, Russian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese (Pinyin), Hindi, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Indonesian, Traditional Chinese (Zhuyin), Hebrew, Greek, Polish, Ukrainian, Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Mongolian — so the same device can serve a multilingual household or care team.
Quick phrases & word prediction
Common phrases like "thank you" or "I need help" are one tap away, and the board suggests likely words and follow-up phrases as a sentence is typed, cutting down the number of selections needed for everyday communication.
Spoken output & history
Finished text can be read aloud using the device's built-in text-to-speech, and previously spoken phrases are saved locally so frequently repeated messages are easy to find again.
How to Use ALSChat
A written guide you can follow step by step, from the first screen to chatting with family. Some sections also have a short video at the end.
1. Getting started
ALSChat runs in the web browser (alschat.com) and as an Android and iPhone/iPad app. The letter board itself is free and needs no account.
2. Manual mode
A caregiver sits facing the patient, watches which direction the patient's eyes point, and taps the matching group/letter. No camera is needed.
3. Semi-automatic mode (blink scanning)
The patient can use this alone, without a caregiver right next to them — only a front-facing camera is required. Groups and letters highlight one at a time; the patient blinks for about half a second to confirm.
4. Adding family and caregivers (ALSChat ID)
Each patient has their own ALSChat ID, like a messenger ID. Once a caregiver enters it, the two are connected and can chat right away — no approval step is needed.
5. Chatting
The patient and everyone connected to them share one group chat.
Who it's for
ALSChat is designed primarily for people living with ALS, but the same circular, scan-friendly layout can help anyone with a condition that limits speech or fine motor control, including other motor neuron diseases, cerebral palsy, or recovery from a stroke. It's also built with caregivers and family members in mind, who are often the ones setting up a device for a loved one under time pressure.