Overview
This Privacy Policy describes how EquaAccess™ ("we," "us," or "our") handles information in connection with AcademicVoice, our iOS application for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). EquaAccess™ is a trade name of Assistive Technology Evaluations & Services LLC, which develops and distributes the AcademicVoice apps; references to "EquaAccess" in this policy refer to that company operating under the EquaAccess trade name. AcademicVoice is offered in three editions, School, Pro, and Clinician, which differ in their features and data handling as described below. By using AcademicVoice, you agree to this policy.
AcademicVoice has no user accounts and no sign-in. We do not sell your data, show advertising, or use third-party tracking or analytics. The sections below describe what information the app processes, where it is processed, and the differences between editions.
Information we do not collect
We do not collect, sell, rent, trade, or share for advertising or marketing purposes:
- Your name, email address, or contact information
- Advertising identifiers or tracking IDs
- Usage analytics or behavioral data sent to advertising or analytics networks
We do not integrate third-party analytics, advertising, or data-collection SDKs (such as Google Analytics, Firebase, or advertising networks). The only third-party relationship is Apple’s App Store, which handles app download and purchase under Apple’s Privacy Policy (opens in new tab).
Information stored on your device
Communication data, vocabulary, mastery and progress records, settings, and other content you create or use within AcademicVoice are stored on the device using Apple’s local storage with file protection enabled. This on-device data:
- Is not sold or shared with advertisers or data brokers
- Is not sent to EquaAccess analytics servers
- Is included in your device’s iCloud or iTunes backup only if you (or your IT administrator) have enabled device backup in iOS settings
- Is removed when you uninstall the app
Eye-gaze and face data (TrueDepth camera)
AcademicVoice offers an optional eye-gaze cursor-control feature as an accessibility access method, allowing users to operate the communication board by looking at on-screen targets. This feature uses Apple’s ARKit face-tracking technology and the device’s TrueDepth camera.
When eye-gaze control is active, the app reads only eye-position and gaze-direction data in real time to determine where the user is looking on the screen. This face data is processed entirely on the device, is used solely to position the on-screen cursor, and exists only momentarily in memory. AcademicVoice does not capture, record, store, log, back up, transmit, or share any facial images, depth data, face geometry, or biometric identifiers. No face data leaves the device, and none is shared with the developer or any third party. The data is not used for identification, authentication, advertising, analytics, or any purpose other than real-time eye-gaze cursor control.
Microphone Pro Edition
The Pro Edition can use the device microphone for voice input features. Speech is processed on the device using Apple’s on-device Speech framework. Audio is not recorded, stored, or transmitted to external servers by AcademicVoice. The School Edition does not use the microphone.
Optional AI prediction features Pro & Clinician
The Pro and Clinician Editions offer optional AI-assisted features (such as advanced word prediction and partner-response suggestions). When you use these optional features, the current phrase or utterance text being composed is sent over a secure encrypted connection to our prediction service to generate suggestions, and the suggestions are returned to the device. This text is used only to generate the requested suggestions. It is not used for advertising, is not sold or shared with third parties, and is not used to build user profiles.
The School Edition does not include these features. The prediction service is excluded from the School build, and the School Edition does not transmit any data over the internet or to external servers.
Location Pro & Clinician
The Pro and Clinician Editions offer optional location-based features to help select the applicable regional academic standards. When enabled, the device’s approximate location may be used, including resolving a coordinate to a region using Apple’s system services. Location is used only to determine the applicable standards and is not stored or shared for any other purpose. The School Edition does not use location services; standards are selected manually or by an on-device, non-networked method.
Clinician pairing (local network)
AcademicVoice supports optional local device pairing between a student’s device and a supervising clinician’s device, used so a clinician can review and update a student’s session data in person. Pairing operates over the local network only (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) and does not use the internet. Connections are encrypted, and pairing requires explicit on-device approval. The student device does not connect automatically, and the requesting clinician’s information is displayed before approval. When devices are paired, session data may be transferred between them as part of supervised clinical workflow. Each pairing and data transfer is recorded in an on-device audit log.
Exporting reports
Authorized staff (such as a licensed clinician, BCBA, or administrator) can export reports as PDF files. Exporting and sharing a report is an action initiated by the staff member using standard iOS sharing; where an exported file is sent (for example, Files, email, or a connected storage service) is controlled by the staff member, not by AcademicVoice. Staff are responsible for handling exported student records in accordance with applicable privacy obligations.
Children’s privacy (COPPA and FERPA)
AcademicVoice is designed for use by K-12 students, including children, and is built to support compliance with COPPA and FERPA. We do not create user accounts, do not require personal information to use the app, do not serve advertising, and do not sell or share personal data. Student data is stored on the device; the School Edition does not transmit data over the internet. Where data is processed off-device, such as the optional AI prediction features in the Pro and Clinician Editions, or local clinician pairing, it is limited to the purposes described above, is not used for advertising or sold to third parties, and (for pairing) is encrypted and recorded in an on-device audit log. Schools and clinicians using AcademicVoice are responsible for obtaining any consents required under FERPA, COPPA, and IDEA for their use of student data.
We do not sell personal data
EquaAccess™ does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise transfer personal information to third parties for their own use.
Changes to this policy
If we update this Privacy Policy, we will post the revised version on this page with an updated date. Material changes will be communicated through the App Store release notes.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at privacy@equaaccess.com