SAM - Symbols and Meaning Kit
by American Printing House for the Blind
Last verified June 15, 2026 · classified May 23, 2026
What it is
Summary
AI-generated from vendor-published content · May 23, 2026
SAM is a structured, hands-on curriculum kit from APH designed to teach the relationship between real objects, photographs, and abstract symbols — the foundational skill that underlies AAC use and environmental print literacy. It's aimed at students who are deafblind or have combined vision and cognitive disabilities and need to build a concrete-to-symbolic understanding of people, objects, actions, and places before they can reliably use picture or symbol-based communication systems. The kit includes tactile, photographic, and symbolic materials that progress through levels of representation, making it a full instructional program rather than a single device or accessory. Because SAM is a teaching curriculum and not a standalone tool, it works best when an educator or vision specialist familiar with the student's sensory profile and communication goals drives the lessons — the materials alone won't teach themselves.
Quick Facts Catalog facts · auto-generated
- AT Act lending
- Out of pocket
- School district
- Vocational rehab
What Setup Looks Like
- Out of the box
Unbox and inventory the tactile objects, photographs, and symbol cards included in the kit. - With a guide
- Review the APH SAM curriculum guide to understand the scope and sequence of lessons.
- Organize materials by concept category (people, objects, actions, places) before beginning instruction.
- Plan 4–8 weeks of initial instruction sessions depending on student pace — see APH product support resources for detailed instructions.
- With professional help
- A teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) or deafblind specialist should assess the student's current symbolic understanding level to determine the correct entry point in the curriculum.
- Ongoing collaboration with an SLP is recommended to connect SAM symbol work to the student's broader AAC or communication system.
Getting it
Try Before You Buy
Devices like this are often available to borrow through your state's AT Act program — typically free or low-cost — so you can try it before buying or pursuing funding.
Where to Get It
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How to Fund This
Equipment like this is often pursued through official state programs. These are common starting points — each program decides its own eligibility and what it covers, so the first step is always a phone call.
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Sources & fine print
Vendor facts (name, price, platforms, vendor link) sourced from American Printing House for the Blind — view on vendor site; last verified June 15, 2026.
Classification & description AI-generated from vendor-published content on May 23, 2026 · confidence: high. Vendor specs may lag; verify before relying on details in a clinical or funding artifact.