Some interface issues in developing intelligent communication aids for people with disabilities

Abstract

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is the field of study concerned with providing devices and techniques to augment the communicative ability of a person whose disability makes it difficult to speak in an understandable fashion. For several years, we have been applying natural language processing techniques to the field of AAC in order to develop intelligent communication aids that attempt to provide linguistically `correct' output while speeding communication rate. In this paper we describe some of the interface issues that must be considered when developing such a device. We focus on a project aimed at a group of users who have cognitive impairments that affect their linguistic ability. A prototype system is under development which will hopefully not only prove to be an effective communication aid, but may provide some language intervention benefits for this population.