For over 30 years, Tobii Dynavox Picture Communication Symbols (PCS®) have been used by millions of students and adults to understand and structure the world around them, communicate their thoughts, and learn to read and write. Symbol-based visual supports have been proven to help people with communication and learning challenges succeed in school and in life. All designed to better fit your students' specific learning and communication needs, there are 4 different types of PCS: Classic, Thin line, High Contrast, and In-Context.
Have an idea for a symbol that doesn’t yet exist? Please use the PCS Symbol Request form, and we’ll consider adding it to the library.
Overview
The Classic style has been maintained for over 30 years. Classic PCS offer flexibility and simplicity by providing basic color palates, thick black lines without shading, and options for avatars that represent everyone. We continue to add more to this set as many of our customers have used them since childhood and are now adults with additional symbol needs.
The ThinLine style was developed to provide a modern look to our Classic symbol set. They add realism while maintaining a clean, uncluttered style, which makes the ThinLine symbols so popular. This set of symbols are more realistic than the Classic with thinner lines, shading, and natural colors.
People experiencing cortical visual impairment often require simple symbols with dark backgrounds to see them clearly. PCS High Contrast symbols were made to support this need. These symbols are easily visible because they are designed with bright colors and minimal details.
These symbols were designed specifically to allow mature adults who struggle with language to communicate about daily living situations. These rich, realistic illustrations can be used as single meaning icons or as visual scenes. There are hundreds of context-specific and common daily living situation symbols available.
Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) by Tobii Dynavox are available for licensing to anyone wishing to add these popular symbols to their product, website, book, app, playground, jewelry, presentation, movie, or other unique application. In some cases, the license is even free. App-friendly and subscription pricing is also available.
Selling or giving away materials using PCS by Tobii Dynavox in paper or electronic form is illegal without our permission.
There are three different types of licenses available:
Are you a non-profit creating materials with PCS and distributing them to the public at no cost? If so, you’ll need a free PCS by Tobii Dynavox Maker Free Account:
Are you a prolific “maker” hoping to sell your creations with PCS on your own? If so, you will need a PCS by Tobii Dynavox Maker Personal Account:
Pricing: $149/year
Are you a developer or printer/publisher planning to introduce products that use PCS? You will need a PCS by Tobii Dynavox Maker Business Account:
