Free Web App

Create Communication Boards

Design symbol-based AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) boards to print on paper and card, or export to the open OBF format for digital players. 2,000+ built-in symbols, AI image generation, and full Open Board Format support.

✓ AAC users & families ✓ Speech & language therapists ✓ Special education teachers ✓ Occupational therapists ✓ Teaching assistants ✓ NHS & care staff
Sensory Boards editor showing a colour-coded AAC communication board with symbols including words like 'I', 'want', 'help', 'go' and 'happy'

Everything you need to create great boards

Easy Board Creation

Intuitive interface makes creating boards quick and enjoyable. Choose your grid size, add symbols, and print or export in minutes. No technical skills required.

2,000+ Symbol Library

A rich built-in symbol library with keyword and synonym search. Load custom symbol packs, search the web for images, or upload your own photos.

AI Symbol Generation

Can't find the right symbol? Describe what you need and AI will generate a custom image — ideal for unique vocabulary that isn't in the standard library.

Full Customisation

Customise colours, fonts, borders, and layouts on individual cells or across the whole board. Colour-code by word category to help users find vocabulary faster.

Linked Board Sets

Create multi-page board sets where tapping a cell navigates to another board. Package them as OBZ files for complex, multi-topic communication needs.

Print & Digital Export

Print directly to paper or card for physical use, or export to OBF/OBZ formats for use in Sensory PiCom and other AAC applications.

Auto-Save & Import

Boards save automatically as you work. Import OBF and OBZ files from other AAC tools — external images are downloaded and embedded automatically.

Multi-Language

Built-in support for multiple languages. The symbol search, interface, and PiCom speech all reflect your chosen language with full Unicode support.

From blank board to printed or digital in four steps

Create a New Board

Choose your grid size and give your board a name. Start from scratch — no templates needed.

Add Symbols

Search the built-in library of 2,000+ symbols, import images, search the web, or generate custom symbols with AI.

Customise & Style

Adjust colours, fonts, and borders per-cell or across the whole board. Colour-code by category for faster vocabulary access.

Print or Export

Print to paper or card for a physical board, or export to .obf / .obz to use in a digital AAC player like PiCom.

Run your boards with PiCom

Sensory Boards is the editor, and Sensory PiCom is the player. Once designed, enable the Communicator in Settings and tap Run Board to open your board in PiCom for real-time speech communication.

Digital Speech

High-quality text-to-speech with configurable voice, speed, and pitch. Tap any symbol to hear it spoken aloud immediately.

Accessibility

Supports touch, switch scanning, and mouse controllers. Configurable high-contrast display and cell sizing options.

Open Standard

Fully OBF/OBZ compatible for seamless board transfers between Sensory Boards, PiCom, and other AAC applications.

Sensory PiCom is available on multiple platforms

iOS · Android · Windows · Chromebook — learn more about PiCom →

iOS Android Windows Chromebook

Open Board Format

Sensory Boards uses the open OBF/OBZ standard, so your boards work across a wide range of AAC applications — including The Grid, CoughDrop, and others — and are never locked to a single platform.

📄 OBF Files

Single board files in JSON format. Images are embedded as Base64 data within the file — ideal for sharing a single board.

📦 OBZ Packages

Multi-board packages as ZIP archives containing linked boards and image assets. Best for complete board sets or when file size matters.