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Unity Vocabulary
Quick Reference Guide

Unity Self-study Courses


https://www.prentrom.com/training/courses/unity
Terms you need to know:

Unity

is a way to organize vocabulary that is unique to PRC


devices. It is primarily based on the single words we say
most often. It goes from simple cause and effect to adult
language. It has three versions: page-based, 1-hit and
sequenced.

4/8/15/28/36/45/60/84/144

The numbers refer to the number of keys that are on the


screen. Dont assume that versions with fewer keys on a
page are easier. Work with a speech therapist, AAC
Specialist and/or PRC Regional Consultant to help you
decide where to start.

These vocabularies have core words that link to pages


containing fringe vocabulary. There are no activity rows or
word endings.

Unity 28/36/45/60/84/144 1-hit

The core keys in these vocabularies speak immediately


when selected and the activity row changes to
nouns/words that may follow that core word. The only
word ending is plural s. This vocabulary can be simplified
by using hide and show.
The core keys in these vocabularies do not speak
immediately when selected, but rather lead to other
words associated with that icon. Thousands of words are
pre-programmed and all word endings are represented.
This is a robust vocabulary that gives access to adult forms
of grammar. This vocabulary can be greatly simplified
(using Vocabulary Builder) for beginning communicators.

VISUALIZING UNITY SEQUENCED


1.

2.

Activity Row

The top row in Unity 28/36/45/60/84/144 1-hit or


sequenced. The activity row houses quick phrases, tools
and fringe words.

3.
4.

Unity Vocabulary Quick Reference Guide

UNITY PATTERN #2:


PRONOUNS: Indicated in YELLOW
1.

Subject pronouns (e.g., I/ you/ it): Select the


corresponding yellow pronoun 2 times

2.

Object pronouns (e.g., me/ him/ them): Select


the pronoun key then the present

3.

Possessive adjectives (e.g., my/ his/ their): Select


the pronoun key then nametag.

4.

Reflexive pronoun (e.g., myself/ itself/


themselves): Select the present then pronoun (I
give a present to myself)

5.

Possessive pronoun (e.g., mine/ his/ ours):


Select the nametag then the pronoun (I put a
nametag on it and its mine)

The +s key adds an s to the end of the last word


on the display (e.g., for plurals)
The NUMBERS key goes to a numbers page.

UNITY PATTERN #1:


VERBS, ADJECTIVES, CATEGORY NOUNS
1.

Core Keys

The bottom remaining rows in Unity 28/36/45/60/84/144


1-hit or sequenced that contain core words.

Unity Sequenced is organized in layers. The top


layer is always the starting point. This allows for
the pattern of a word to remain consistent.
The top layer has several high-frequency words
that can be said with 1-hit, indicated by lower
case labels on the keys. In 84, these are:
are/is/were/was/on/to/a/an/the.

2.

Start with any colored icon in the CORE area


(e.g., APPLE). When you select it, get more
words associated with the icon (in this case,
words related to eating).
Colors are important on the 2nd layer.
a. GREEN = verb
b. BLUE = adjective
c. ORANGE = category noun

Placement is also important on the 2nd layer. Try


another icon (e.g., DICE), and notice the verbs,
adjectives, & category nouns are always in the
same place.
Sometimes there will be a 3rd layer. A good
example is the UMBRELLA/THUMBS DOWN icon;
when you select it the first time, you get words
related to weather/bad things. When you select
it again,
you get other words
related to weather/bad things. You can tell there
is a third layer because the 2nd key is in all caps
and has a light shaded outline.

(Examples from Unity 84 Sequenced - most popular version)

Words that are most commonly used in Englishthey are


used regardless of situation, communication partner or
age/ disability of the communicator. Individuals must have
access to core vocabulary in order to get their message
across.
generally consists of nouns that vary according to a
situation. Fringe might be different if we are talking about
a basketball game versus doing an art project. It might also
be different from communicator to communicator.

4.

Unity 28/36/45/60/84/144 Sequenced

Core Vocabulary

Fringe Vocabulary

3.

TIP: Please do not think you have to graduate through

the levels of Unity. Many people start at Unity 84


Sequenced and use Vocabulary Builder to limit the
number of words available for beginning communicators.
5/29/2015

UNITY PATTERN #3:


PRONOUN PHRASES
1.

Positive pronoun statements (e.g., I can/ you


like): Select the pronoun key then the phrase to
the right. The pattern will be consistent across
pronouns (e.g., I can and you can have the
same 2nd hit)

UNITY PATTERN #4:


GRAMMAR WORDS (Interjections, Determiners,
Conjunctions, Prepositions, Question Words, Adverbs)

2.

KNOT

, and then the negative phrase.

These words start with the black and white icons


on the 2nd row.

2.

INTERJECTIONS: Start with


. These words
pop into conversation like fireworks pop into the
sky (e.g., awesome/ yuk/ hello)

clothing

DETERMINERS: Start with


. The wizard is
using his wand to point to this/ that/ those/
these.

jobs/tools

CONJUNCTIONS: Start with


.
Conjunctions join words together like the trains
are joined together (it also gives us some quick
access to numbers/ math words because lots of
kids like to count trains!) e.g., and/ but/
because

reading material

3.

4.

I cant:
3.

you dont like:


Pronoun questions (e.g., can I?/do you like?):
Start with the corresponding core icon and then
move to the left to get the pronoun question.

5.

Can I:

4.

Do you like:
Negative pronoun questions (e.g., cant I?/ dont
you like?): Start with the corresponding core
icon, hit the KNOT to indicate negation, then the
pronoun.
cant I:
dont you like:

TIP: You can search for a word using ICON TUTOR. On


the main activity row, select
then
Type the
word you are looking for and then select OK. It will tell
you where the word is in Unity. Remember the pictures,
select OK and then say it! If the word is not in Unity, it
will tell you no matches found.

Nouns are found in the activity row after you select a core
icon. Below are the categories associated with each icon
in Unity 84 Sequenced.

1.

I can:
You like:
Negative pronoun statements (e.g., I cant/ you
dont like): Select the pronoun key, then the

UNITY PATTERN #5:


NOUNS

PREPOSITIONS: Start with


. The cloud can
go over/ under/ through the bridge.

6.

QUESTION WORDS: Start with


. Words
like who/ what/ when/ where/ why.

7.

ADVERBS: Start with


again/ ready.

. Words like very/

TIP: There are many resources to help teach Unity to

children/adults at all different language stages!


www.AACLanguageLab.com is a wealth of information on
language stages and how to teach different language
functions/vocabulary.
Please contact your Regional Consultant for more tips,
trainings, and resources. Do a zip code search at
www.prentrom.com or call 800-848-8008 for more information.
PRC offers a variety of live online implementation classes at
www.prentrom.com/onlinetraining/professional-development
Monitor progress and language growth at realizelanguage.com

Unity Vocabulary Quick Reference Guide

games
jokes
money
feelings/actors
music/singers
people
family
accessories
rooms/buildings
small appliance
nature
colors/art supplies
body/medical
sensory/bath/
cosmetics
animals
sentences
food
holidays/shapes
weather/negative
drinks
dishes/ large
appliances
containers/toys
furniture/linens
sports
vehicles
2

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