This study examined the use of videotelephony by two men with moderate mental retardation attending a Swedish day center. This minitrial evaluated technical aspects of the equipment, understanding of how to use the videotelephones by people with moderate mental retardation, and general points of view from the staff. Both men had poorly developed spoken language skills using primarily augmentative and alternative communication. A system was designed based on a personal computer attached to a videotelephone, a camera, and appropriate software. Pictogram symbols were used to make communication simpler. Conclusions indicated: (1) the technical equipment must be improved, especially with regard to quality of sound and image, and the monitor must be improved; (2) the two users showed interest and motivation and used a variety of pictograms, but had difficulty accessing the right pictogram symbols; and (3) staff saw the videotelephony activity as time-consuming and expressed a need for deciding how much priority to give to the activity. (Contains 11 references, 2 in Swedish.) (DB)