Augmentative Communication Center

Norris ALS Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-600-3966

The Augmentative Communication Center located in the Norris provides ALS patients who are unable to speak an alternative way to communicate. Using assistive technology devices such as computers or other hand held devices and low-tech devices that employ picture communications, we help ALS patients stay in connection. The Center provides on-going assessment and assistance to accommodate the shifting communication needs for each individual as the disease progresses.

The Augmentative Communication Center is an equipment lending center. They work closely with the Norris ALS Center and the ALSA Golden West Chapter loaning equipment to ALS patients for free. The Center provides educational outreach to patients, their families, and their caregivers, as well as ongoing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) follow-up support services for ALS case managers.

High-tech equipment includes:
Speech Generation Devices

• DynaVox Vmax™


• DynaVox Eyemax™

Low-tech equipment includes:

• Communication boards


• Lightwriter®


• iDevices (iPad, iPhone)


• Communication switches and pointers

Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research and Treatment Center

California Pacific Neuroscience Institute

The California Pacific Neuroscience Institute at CPMC in San Francisco features some of the top-rated neurology physicians and neurosurgeons in the San Francisco Bay Area, Marin county and Northern California.