'Bolte Chai' - An Android application for verbally challenged children

Abstract

Mobile technology has introduced new communication possibility for patients with verbal challenges. In western countries different kinds of SGD and AAC devices are available to fulfill the communicative needs of users with verbal disabilities. Recently mobile phone applications are also used to fulfill the demand of communication. In developing countries like Bangladesh, mobile phones are much more available, affordable and less stigmatizing for the users of any kind. After considering these points, an android app named 'Bolte Chai', has been developed and an experiment has been performed on verbally challenged students and teachers based on four criteria to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the application. These criteria are, the ability to customize the application to fit the needs of the users, motor skills for operating the applications, reasonable time and resources involved in the teaching and utilization procedure and proper costing, considering the user's affordability. Overall the application supposes to be fully customized, more user friendly and effective to improve communication skills for verbally challenged users.