Home / Products / Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)
    Examples of Thin Line PCS by Tobii Dynavox
    Examples of Classic PCS by Tobii Dynavox
    Examples of ThinLine PCS by Tobii Dynavox
    Examples of High Contrast PCS by Tobii Dynavox
    Examples of InContext PCS by Tobii Dynavox
    PCS by Tobii Dynavox printed and laminated for a communication board at a park.
    PCS Synbols on a keychain for easy use
    PCS Symbols cut out and used in a classroom activity
    A girl using PCS to communicate her favorite fruits

    Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)

    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. PCS are available for licensing to anyone wishing to use these popular symbols.

    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

    80,000+ Symbols and Growing

    Examples of Classic PCS by Tobii Dynavox

    PCS Classic

    The Classic style has been maintained for over 30 years. Classic PCS offer flexibility and simplicity by providing basic colour palates, thick black lines without shading and options for gender neutral avatars. 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.

    PCS ThinLine

    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 colours.

    Examples of ThinLine PCS by Tobii Dynavox
    Examples of High Contrast PCS by Tobii Dynavox

    PCS High Contrast

    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 colours and minimal details.

    PCS InContext

    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.

    Examples of InContext PCS by Tobii Dynavox

    Use PCS by Tobii Dynavox

    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, jewellery, 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.

    PCS for licensing

    There are three different types of licenses available:

    PCS by Tobii Dynavox printed and laminated for a communication board at a park

    Maker Free

    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:

    • Assures copyright compliance
    • Allows advertising as an official licensed PCS by Tobii Dynavox publisher
    • Requires a copy of or subscription to Boardmaker

    Maker Personal

    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:

    • Assures copyright compliance
    • Allows advertising as an official licensed PCS by Tobii Dynavox publisher
    • Permits making a profit from selling products that use PCS by Tobii Dynavox
    • Requires a copy of or subscription to Boardmaker
    PCS by Tobii Dynavox on earrings by Marley Caroline
    Girl using iPad with PCS by Tobii Dynavox

    Maker Business

    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:

    • Assures copyright compliance
    • Allows advertising as an official licensed PCS publisher
    • Permits making a profit from selling products that use PCS
    • Offers a customised agreement based on your business model