Meet Noah
We reached out to Noah, an AAC user, disability advocate, and all-around tech enthusiast, to hear about his journey with cerebral palsy and assistive technology. From discovering AAC as a child to landing a spot on Deal or No Deal, Noah has used technology to break barriers and build connections. He shared his experiences with us in his own words. Hi! I’m Noah. I was born with cerebral palsy, and I’ve been using assistive technology for as long as I can remember. I started with a jelly bean switch at three years old to write and play games, and that was the moment I realised how much technology could help me. Later, my speech therapist introduced me to my first AAC device, the miniMo. It let me speak, but I couldn’t spell with it, so a student teacher recorded words for me. Eventually, I got a Dynavox MT4, which had a computerised voice. That changed everything. I’ll never forget the first night using it when I told Mum, “Who cares?” after she made a comment about the laundry. That was the moment my voice, humour, and personality really got to shine. This is actually a funny story. For years, I used Proloquo on a Mac with my wheelchair joystick, but over time, I found that method slow. So, I reached out to my speech pathologist (who I hadn’t spoken to in ages), and she suggested looking into eye gaze technology. We set up a session with Zyteq (Smartbox’s Australian partner), and they showed me a few options. My dad was shocked at how fast I picked it up, and honestly, I was mind-blown too. It was the first time I realised how much easier and faster communication could be. Zyteq gave me a free trial, and then I got my own Grid Pad 12. Now I use the Grid Pad 13 with the Lumin-i camera. It’s been a total game changer as it gives me the ability to speak even when I’m outside in the sun. I also love the smart buttons as they give me quick access to my favourite commands in Grid. It was so much fun! The producers were really accommodating, and I loved seeing how the show was put together behind the scenes. Being on Deal or No Deal had been a dream of mine for a while, so getting to make it happen was unreal. The producers gave me some of the questions Grant Denyer was going to ask me before recording, so I could prepare. It went great – I was able to have a proper conversation with Grant before opening my case. The audience was really interested in what I had to say, because most of them had never seen someone using AAC before, especially on a game show. One of the most memorable moments was when Grant asked me a question I hadn’t prepped for. I had to write my answer in real time, and the whole studio went silent. You could hear a pin drop because everyone was so eager to hear my response. They ended up cutting that part for time, but for the people in the room, it was a really powerful moment. I’m the AAC and Technology Coordinator at Kids+, a children’s therapy hub in Geelong, Australia. I train AAC users, families, and professionals through workshops and programs like ‘AAC Connect,’ which helps people communicate effectively. I also work with Get Skilled Access, founded by Paralympian Dylan Alcott, where I consult with businesses like ANZ and Tennis Australia on accessibility and inclusion – especially for non-verbal individuals and people with quadriplegia. My favourite part of the job is getting to share my lived experience and guide the next generation of AAC users to become their own advocates. I’d love to get into acting in the next few years. I applied to Shift 20 Initiative, which is working to make 20% of Australian TV talent people with disabilities. I think representation is so important, and I’d love to be part of changing the industry. Keep at it! AAC is basically a language on its own, but it can unlock so many opportunities. Eye gaze can take practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be surprised by what you can do. AAC has allowed me to find employment, build friendships, and speak on panels and at conferences. It’s given me the chance to train corporations, appear on TV, and connect with people I never thought I’d meet. I know this is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see what comes next. Thank you to Noah for sharing your journey with AAC. Zyteq is our Smartbox partner in Australia, leading the way in speech-generating devices. Owned and run by Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, Zyteq is dedicated to helping people with disabilities find the right technology to achieve their goals. They offer a wide range of high-quality assistive technology for communication, including eye gaze, computer access, and environmental control solutions. With a strong focus on personalised support, Zyteq empowers individuals to communicate, connect, and live more independently.
Getting started with AAC
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey with AAC?
How did you start using a Grid Pad with eye gaze?
Taking AAC to the big screen
What was it like being on Deal or No Deal?
How did your Grid Pad help you during the show?
Advocacy and making a difference
Can you tell us about your work with Kids+ and Get Skilled Access?
What’s next?
What’s a goal you’re working towards?
Any advice for someone new to AAC or eye gaze?