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Dynamic display-based AAC systems such as the Dynavox, Dynamyte,
Vanguard™, Speaking Dynamically®, and Talking Screen™
typically use a menu-based system organized by categories. For
example, items on a home page may include family, social, food,
school, play, and needs. When you select the food page, choices
that display may include drinks, desserts, snacks, and meals.
When you select meal, the choices may include breakfast, lunch,
dinner, and special occasion. When you select dinner, a page
containing actual food choices such as "I want pizza"
become available to the user. Information pertaining to specific
meals is four levels removed from the home page and requires
good knowledge of the conceptual grouping of items on each page
to effectively access the desired message.
At present, little is known about how to best organize the categories
of information in AAC devices so that users can quickly retrieve
a particular message. Often organizational structure is based
on the perceived needs of the AAC user and the creative, sometimes
haphazard, organization skills of the person programming words
and messages into the AAC device. Category membership and boundaries
are frequently unclear. As a result, keeping the AAC system
organized so that the user can readily locate any given word
or message may be problematic, particularly since an unlimited
number of messages can be stored in the system. Understanding
the organizational preferences and optimal number of steps to
reach the intended object would help in developing a system
that makes it easier to retrieve the intended message - thus,
making it easier to communicate.
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A computer-based interface has been developed to support this
research. The interface uses a dynamic screen strategy and allows
for the presentation of orthographic and iconic information
according to various organization strategies. Participants are
not required to learn to operate the computer and they respond
to project tasks by touching the screen to indicate their response
choices.
- Elderly
- We completed a study investigating the accuracy and speed
with which words were selected using three organization strategies
(by topic, location and alphabet) of elderly non-disabled
adults (over 75 years of age). The manuscript reporting this
research was submitted for publication in April 2002.
- Traumatic brain injury
- Using procedures identical to those described above, 12
persons with traumatic brain injury have completed the same
protocol. Data has been collected, measured, and analyzed,
and a draft of the manuscript has been written.
- Aphasia
- A project with very similar procedures is underway with
persons who have severe language disorders (aphasia) due to
stroke. At this time, the stimulus materials (digital photographs)
have been completed and a pilot subject has completed the
protocol. Data collection for the remaining participants will
begin in June 2002.
- Aphasia
- A new study intended to develop a novel interface for persons
with severe aphasia is ongoing. This interface makes use of
digital photography on a touch screen. Photos can be provided
and selected by persons with a disability, giving them greater
influence in the development and design of the interface strategies
that they use. The photos support conversation and navigation
to other screens and images. In addition, speech and printed
cues are provided to support residual speech and AAC-based
communication.
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