Last Updated 12/6/2023
A couple of decades ago there was really only one option to source color drawings/images for adaptive applications; materials such as communication boards, visual schedules, learning supports, etc. Over the years, new options have been popping up. Here is a list of some sources for symbols/images for making materials and visual supports:
ARASAAC - free picture symbols available in several languages. For more information about this site, check out this article from PrAACtical AAC here.
Boardmaker 7 - includes access to over 45,000 Picture Communication Symbols® (PCS); Boardmaker 7 is offered as a Standard or Subscription option.
Canva - a free-to-use online graphic design tool, although many templates and graphics are available at a cost. Pro and Teams subscriptions available, providing unlimited access to premium tools and content. Did you know you can sign up for a free Canva in Education account if you work in the schools (K-12)?
Chat Editor (from Saltillo/TouchChat) - free to download program for Windows that provides access to symbols/pages that you can capture for use in making materials.
ClipSafari - a repository for high quality clip art images. These vector graphics are free to use for any purpose (including commercial use).
CocoMaterial - Open-source, hand-drawn illustrations that you can customize.
ConnectAbility.ca - free online visual engine to build visual supports and sequences. Choose a grid template, choose images, print, and use.
Custom Boards Elite - app (for iOS) with a built-in library of over 10,000 Smarty Symbols or import your own image to create boards and activities (to use on the iPad or print and use). Offers three different subscription packages.
DALL-E 2 - an AI system that can create realistic images and art from a description in natural language. You can create an account for free and get 50 free credits your first month, then 15 free credits per month after that. Free credits do not roll over. You can purchase credits (which are good for 12 months).
Drawn to AAC - SLP created digital illustrations related to AAC! You can find the images in Canva and on Teachers Pay Teachers. Did you know you can sign up for a free Canva in Education account if you work in the schools (K-12)?
Emoji Island - download emoji icons in PNG for free
FreeSVG.org - public domain clipart that you can use freely (for any purpose and without citation)
Global Symbols - a dictionary of a series of free symbol sets that have been developed in various countries to support those with communication difficulties
InPrint 3 software - desktop (Windows only) program supplied with over 17,000 Widgit Symbols (color and black & white)
KAAC Symbols Search - Korean AAC Symbol Search system is a website where you can search for AAC symbols. The website is in Korean, however with Google Translate the website can be translated to the language of your choice). It has ~10,000 symbols produced through the Basic Symbol System for Complementary and Alternative Communication in Korea.
LessonPix - created by a teacher and developer, LessonPix is an online resource to create customized materials. You can also download the "clip art" for use in applications such as Word documents, PowerPoint, etc. Individual and group pricing available.
Mulberry Symbols - scalable SVG graphic images (Pictograms) designed for communication use for adults with language difficulties; provided as “free at the point of use”
MyCuteGraphics - free clip art and background images; free for personal and educational use
Open Symbols - a collection of open-license picture symbols for use in AAC which pulls from multiple sources. Currently includes access to more than 59,000 symbols/icons.
PASS (from PRC) - create support materials, such as cheat sheets, manual boards, and vocabulary lists using the symbols from PRC AAC devices
Pics for PECS® software(from Pyramid Educational Consultants) - CD (Mac/Win) of over 3,200 high resolution jpg images
Picto4Me - a free web application for the Chrome browser that lets you create and play communication boards online. Boards can be displayed on tablets, chromebooks and any Google Chrome Browser compatible device. Pick images from optimized libraries or from the web, stored as well straight from your webcam. Picto4Me supports TTS (Text to speech) and webcam and microphone. Project files are stored in your Google Drive account.
Picto-Selector - free Windows application to create visuals
Pixabay - Over 1.8 million+ high quality stock images and videos, all released under the Pixabay License, which makes them safe to use without asking for permission or giving credit to the artist - even for commercial purposes
SEN Teacher - free learning resources, including visual aids and AAC resources you can create and print. NWACS board member Rose-Marie shares: "Just type your word into the card frames and the online software searches its database (either ARASAAC symbols or photo images) fills in the pictures. Most cards are 2" size. Really easy to use!"
Smarty Symbols Image Club - an SLP-run company offering an online image/symbol library with over 19,000 images. Personal, group, and commercial monthly or yearly licenses available. NWACS board member, Casey, wrote a review of Smarty Symbols on her blog here.
SymbolStix PRIME - web-based library of over 25,000 SymbolStix symbols from n2y available for a 12-month subscription. Create materials on their site or copy and paste symbols into other programs to create your materials.
Tawasol Symbols - free Arabic / English symbol dictionary of frequently used words in spoken and written communication (must register for access, but it is free)
TD Snap Lite - app for iPad or Windows is the free (without speech output) version of the AAC app. It can be used to access PCS (Boardmaker) symbols. Can also be a way to create and print light-tech communication boards or other visual supports.
Widgit Online - create, save, and share symbol resources. Pricing plans include Home, School, Organization options (each with different levels) in monthly, or 1, 3, or 5 year increments.
Are you looking for real photos you can use without violating copyrights or dealing with licensing concerns? Check out this article by Eric Curts on Control Alt Achieve: 18 Free Image Sites and Tools for Schools
Want to remove the background of a picture or image? Try these free tools:
What's missing from our list? Do you know of another resource to access images for creating materials and visual supports? Comment below to help us develop this resource list!
