This is a collection of resources to find images and symbols for use when creating visual supports, materials, communication tools, and more.
This is not an exhaustive list. Do you have a favorite resource that we missed? Leave a comment to share!
Symbols for Making Materials
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:
Free to Use (web-based)
- AAC Image Library – free symbols created by AAC users and disabled artists
- ARASAAC – free picture symbols available in several languages. For more information about this site, check out this article from PrAACtical AAC.
- Bildstod.se – a free resource to create picture-based materials (must register for access, but it is free)
- 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)?
- 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.
- 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).
- Emoji Island – download emoji icons in PNG for free
- Emoji Kitchen – a Google feature that allows you to combine emoji and then copy/save the resulting images
- FreeSVG.org – public domain clipart that you can use freely (for any purpose and without citation)
- Glint by Ner Chat – platform to create visual supports with multilingual support (12+ languages); as of 7/13/25: generate up to 10 boards free each month, more features with monthly or annual subscription
- Global Symbols – a dictionary of a series of free symbol sets that have been developed in various countries to support those with communication difficulties
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- SEN Teacher – free learning resources, including visual aids and AAC resources you can create and print. Former NWACS board member Rose-Marie shared: “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!”
- Tawasol Symbols – free Arabic / English symbol dictionary of frequently used words in spoken and written communication (must register for access, but it is free)
Pay to Use (web-based)
- Boardmaker 7 – includes access to over 45,000 Picture Communication Symbols® (PCS); Boardmaker 7 is offered as a Standard or Subscription purchase option.
- 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)?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Apps
- 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.
From AAC Device Companies
- 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.
- PASS (from PRC) – create support materials, such as cheat sheets, manual boards, and vocabulary lists using the symbols from PRC AAC devices
Software
- InPrint 3 software – desktop (Windows only) program supplied with over 17,000 Widgit Symbols (color and black & white)
- Pics for PECS® software (from Pyramid Educational Consultants) – CD (Mac/Win) of over 3,200 high resolution jpg images
Real Photos
Photos with Disability Representation
Are you looking for real photos featuring disability representation – including AAC use? Check out these free disability photo libraries (note attribution requirements):
- AAC Photo Library by OpenAAC
- Disability Inclusive Stock Photography by Disabilty:IN
- Disabled and Here Collection
- HDI Photo Library by the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI)
Another (paid) source for stock photos and images featuring AAC:
Other Sources for Free Photos
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
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!
14 responses to “Images For Making Materials”
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SymbolStix has a subscription based site: https://www.n2y.com/store/n2y-Products/SSX
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The iESLp app is a fabulous resource for making both printable materials and visual supports as well as interactive activities on the iPad. It has SymbolStix in the app: https://appsto.re/us/NiPA2.i
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The Tools2Talk+ app is an affordable way to access PCS symbols to make printable materials and visual supports: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/06/19/app-review-tools2talk-an-affordable-way-to-access-pcs-symbols/
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Thank you, Angela! We will update the post with these resources. 🙂
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Great list of resources! I’ll add another (free, wahoo!!!):
http://www.senteacher.org/print/aac/ These are amazingly simple to produce–really awesome for families with minimal time. Just type your word into the card frames and the online software searches its database (either ARASAAC symbol or photo images) fills in the pictures. Most cards are 2" size. Really easy to use! Plus, SENTeacher is such a fabulous resource; it’s one everyone should keep in their back pocket.-
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, Rose-Marie. We’ll get it added to the list above.
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Wow! This is a great list! Let’s spread the word among our colleagues. I bet they will find it useful too! Kathy
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This is a fabulous collection! Thank you, Do you know about Tawasol Picture Symbols? http://tawasolsymbols.org/en/home/
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Thank you for your comment, Sally! Tawasol Picture Symbols is unfamiliar – but we’ll check it out and add it to the list above.
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Such a wonderful list of resources!!!
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I find canva immensely helpful
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Yes! Canva is a useful tool – thank you for reminding us and prompting us to add it as its own entry on our list!
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Emoji Kitchen (https://emojikitchen.dev/) allows you to combine emoji and then copy/save the resulting images. Do you want a yawning clown emoji as a symbol? This site allows you to combine yawn + clown emojis to make your yawning clown dreams come true.
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Thank you for sharing! We will check it out.
Share your comments or questions.