About us

Blissymbolics Communication International (BCI) is a non-profit, charitable organization that has the perpetual, worldwide, exclusive licence from C.K. Bliss (1975, 1982) for the use and publication of Blissymbols for persons with communication, language and learning difficulties. BCI has given leadership world-wide to the development of the system of Blissymbolics and to its use by persons with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI).

Since its incorporation in Ontario, Canada, in 1975, BCI has supported Blissymbol use through the training of professionals, assistance to Blissymbol users, consultation, publications, technology and software development, and projects related to Blissymbol applications. Some professionals associated with BCI have been working with Blissymbolics since the system's first application to children with cerebral palsy in 1971.

Over the years, funding support has been received from many groups including the Ministry of Education, Province of Ontario; the Department of Communications (now Industry Canada), Government of Canada; The Ontario Crippled Children's Centre; The Easter Seal Society of Ontario; the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy; and charitable foundations; service clubs; private industry and private individuals.

 

In the last dozen or so years,  BCI has been striving to further enhance communication opportunities by bringing access to the internet to Bliss users.  One of the earliest applications in this area was BlissInternet.  This  program allowed Bliss users to communicate with anyone with internet access and the BlissInternet software.  The Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy has supported the early application and continued development of this program  BlissInternet in turn was followed by a software bulletin board system called BlissNet.  Its development was funded by Industry Canada, and its application in Ontario was funded by the Ontario Network Infrastructure Program (ONIP), Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario Government.

We have recently moved towards having more of the development and management of BCI itself being done on the internet.  We anticipate that this will increase even further the opportunities for those who do not speak to participate in all aspects of BCI's life and work.