Tap. Hear. Communicate.

The problem

When the tool meant to help becomes another barrier

For people who are non-verbal or semi-verbal, expressing a basic need can be frustrating and overwhelming. Today’s AAC tools often add to that load.

Screen-based AAC tablets

• Screen overload: bright screens and complex menus can trigger sensory overstimulation
• Hard to use under stress: fine-motor navigation is difficult for people with intellectual or motor-skill delays
• High cost: dedicated medical-grade AAC tablets can cost $1,500 or more
• Too much friction: charging, software updates, passwords and small interfaces

TapTalk Cards™

• Screen-free: no apps, no menus, no digital distraction
• Press anywhere: broad-zone activation, no tiny button to find
• Designed as an affordable alternative to medical-grade devices
• Pick up and press: no charging routine, no passwords, no setup

The solution

A simple physical card that speaks

TapTalk bridges the gap between low-tech picture cards and high-tech AAC devices. Users pick up, hand over or press a card to communicate needs, emotions and boundaries.

01 · Tactile grounding

A card you can hold, hand over or press

Holding and pressing a TapTalk card gives physical feedback that can support focus and emotional regulation, with the familiarity of the picture cards people already know.

One card, one message

Every card is made for one message

Each TapTalk card carries a single, purpose-built message. Pick a word to see how a card in a deck might look.

02 · Instant communication

Press anywhere. Hear it instantly.

A pressure-sensitive membrane covers the card, so there is no small button to find. Each press plays a clear, immediate voice message, reinforcing cause-and-effect communication.

03 · Built for real life

Pocket-sized, durable, ready every day

Each card is 0.8 mm thin, bite-resistant and splash and dust protected, and is designed for about 5,000 presses with more than three years of standby.

04 · Frictionless by design

No screen. No passwords. Just press.

There is nothing to unlock, update or navigate. The card speaks, and the person is heard.

Innovation & technology

The technology that turns a card into a voice

TapTalk Cards™ use proprietary Micro-Acoustic Laminate Technology (MALT), which brings flexible electronics into the standard card-printing process to make a thin, tactile AAC device.

Broad-zone activation

A pressure-sensitive membrane lets users activate the card without finding a tiny button.

Embedded audio and power

A flat piezoelectric film speaker tuned to human vocal frequencies, powered by a printed solid-state micro-battery.

Built for everyday use

0.8 mm thin, bite-resistant and splash and dust protected, designed for about 5,000 presses and 3+ years of standby.

How TapTalk compares

Between paper cards and AAC tablets

TapTalk sits between two existing approaches: simple but limited low-tech picture cards, and powerful but expensive screen-based AAC devices.

Card decks

One platform, many communication needs

Essential Needs Deck

A starter pack for everyday needs: food, water, toilet, sleep, pain, yes, no and stop.

Emotional Regulation Deck

Cards for feelings, sensory needs and requests such as “I feel overwhelmed” or “I need quiet time.”

Specialised decks

Purpose-built card sets for different situations and user groups, built on the same core technology.

Expected impact

Communication should never be limited by the ability to speak

1. Non-verbal and semi-verbal people can express everyday needs and emotions.
2. A simpler alternative to screen-dependent AAC tools.
3. An affordable option compared with medical-grade AAC devices.
4. More decks, use cases and partnerships on the same core technology.

Founder

Poorvi Bapodra

Founder & Director, Santosh Bridge

As the mother of a neurodivergent child, Poorvi brings first-hand understanding of the communication challenges families face. With 5–7 years of teaching experience and work with children at different stages of development, she brings a practical understanding of child behaviour, learning patterns and psychology.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What are TapTalk Cards?

TapTalk Cards™ are screen-free AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) cards with a built-in voice. Pressing anywhere on a card plays its message out loud, such as “I’m hungry,” “I need a break” or “It’s too loud.”

Who are TapTalk Cards for?

They are designed for neurodivergent people, including autistic children and adults, and anyone who is non-verbal or semi-verbal or has speech and communication challenges. They are also built for the caregivers, families, teachers, therapists and schools who support them.

What is AAC?

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is any tool or method that helps someone communicate without, or alongside, spoken words. It ranges from low-tech picture cards to high-tech speech-generating tablets.

How are TapTalk Cards different from picture cards or AAC tablets?

Picture cards are simple but silent. AAC tablets speak but depend on screens, menus, charging and significant cost. TapTalk Cards combine the simplicity of a physical card with instant audio, with no screen, app or password.

Do TapTalk Cards need charging, Wi-Fi or an app?

No. Each card has a printed solid-state micro-battery and a built-in speaker, and is designed for about 5,000 presses with more than three years of standby. There is nothing to charge, pair or update.

How durable are the cards?

Each card is 0.8 mm thin, bite-resistant and splash and dust protected, so it can be carried in a pocket and used in everyday settings.

Can I buy TapTalk Cards now?

TapTalk Cards are currently in development. Santosh Bridge is validating the cards with users, caregivers, therapists and educators before production. Get in touch to take part or to be told when they launch.

Who makes TapTalk Cards?

TapTalk Cards are developed by Santosh Bridge in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, founded by Poorvi Bapodra.