High-Tech Communication Aids
Introduction
It is essential to have an accurate picture of a person's abilities before trying to identify a suitable communication aid. A multi-disciplinary assessment is vital when choosing a high-tech aid and it is recommended to contact a relevant assistive technology service provider for expert advice and information.
There are so many different communication aids that it is only possible for this document to briefly describe the main types and considerations. It is also important not to feel an aid is for life. Peoples' skills change over time - as does technology! The suitability of an aid should therefore be regularly reviewed.
Choosing a high-tech communication device
An accurate and detailed assessment is essential before any steps are taken to select an appropriate high-tech communication device. Careful consideration of literacy skills, learning ability, physical access abilities, portability, vision etc should result in the selection of a device which matches the user's needs and expectations.
Ideally, a speech and language therapist should undertake a detailed assessment with the individual user and their family/carers in order to optimise the match between the user and the device.
Training of the user, family, carer, and speech and language therapist is vital, and technical support from the supplier essential. These must be considered so that:
- family/carers are confident and willing to support the user with the regular daily updating of the device (where necessary)
- sufficient funding is secured to ensure the user receives appropriate training in the use of the device
- adequate repair/technical support (usually from the supplier) is available at from the beginning to avoid frustration and disappointment
Does the device need to be portable or mounted on a wheelchair?
A key consideration is to define what degree of portability, if any, is required by the user. It is important to note that some devices are promoted for their portability, but in practice, can prove to be too heavy to be carried around throughout the length of the day. Many portable devices can be mounted if necessary.
Communication devices, just like computers, vary considerably in size and weight. Devices currently available range from desktop-style communication aids designed for mounting onto wheelchairs/other mobility devices, to hand-held devices such as palmtops which are highly portable and lightweight. In between these two extremes, there are a range of other options which can be carried using shoulder straps, wrist bands and waist straps.
What kind of speech is best?
Communication devices are designed to operate using either:
- synthetic speech (using a speech synthesiser)
- digitised or recorded speech
a) Synthetic speech
There are a number of synthetic speech engines commercially available including Dectalk, Loquendo, Realspeak and SAPI speech engine. These often have the option of male and female voices and have other variables available such as choosing the age of the voice or pitch etc.
These speech engines convert text into speech, and recent years have seen considerable advances in the quality of the speech produced by them.
SAPI speech is available free to users of Microsoft software products. To find out how to activate speech output on a standard Windows XP computer, visit www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/ttsplaybackvoice.aspx, or for a Windows 7 computer, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Hear-text-read-aloud-with-Narrator
The Centre for Language and Communication Studies in Trinity College, Dublin have developed an Irish language synthesizer. For more information, visit www.abair.ie.
b) Digitised or recorded speech
Recorded speech is usually used in devices with a limited number of messages available to the user. Using different peoples voices to record messages on the same communication aid will be distracting for both the speaker and the listener, and will undermine the user's attempts to identify with the recorded voice. Using the same person's voice for all recorded messages is important for another reason, as our identity is closely allied with our voice, so consistency in recorded message is essential. In addition, it is important that the recorded voice matches the user in gender and approximate age. Some individuals prefer recorded speech as it can carry accent, emotion and stress that are not possible in synthesized speech.
Dedicated devices vs computer-based options
What is the difference between a dedicated device and a communication software programme which will run on a standard computer or laptop?
The best way to answer this question is to understand firstly what the user wants to be able to do with the device, and then to explore what hardware and software options are available which will meet the user's needs.
Dedicated Communication Devices
Dedicated communication devices are designed specifically with communication as their primary goal, although recent advances in infra-red and bluetooth technologies have led to the incorporation of environmental control options being added in an increasing number of cases.
Dedicated devices tend to be more stable than PC-based software programmes, but are also more expensive. They are available with both text-based and picture-based programmes, and many are wheelchair mountable. Often they are more rugged, and if problems become more apparent over time, only one supplier is involved.
For more information on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, visit www.communicationmatters.org.uk andwww.isaac-online.org. It is important to reiterate that a multi-disciplinary assessment is vital when choosing a high-tech aid and it recommended to contact a relevant assistive technology service provider for expert advice and information before purchasing any equipment.
Communication software programmes that are compatible with a standard Windows computer or laptop
In recent years, a wide number of manufacturers have developed software programmes which can be installed on to a standard Windows computer. As the hardware is not specifically designed, this often reduces the overall cost of the device.
These programmes have the advantage of being more affordable than dedicated devices, but they can sometimes be unstable, and this is a significant drawback since access to communication should be available to the user at all times. Nonetheless they offer a more affordable choice to the user, and consequently, more flexibility to change, adapt and upgrade the system as the user's needs change over time.
Communication software programmes come in a range of styles, and vary in complexity. Some are largely 'content-free', and allow the user and his/her family/carers to programme words and messages to suit the user's specific requirements. Others come with templates consisting of vocabulary sets which enable the user to communicate straight away, without the need for immediate programming. However, all software should be customised to meet the user's needs, and should be updated on a regular basis as the users needs change and expand.
As with dedicated devices, communication software programmes can be text-based or picture-based. Examples of communication software programmes include:
The Grid 2
The Grid is a picture-based computer access communication programme. The user can build their own grid with content relevant or suitable for their individual communication needs. It works in conjunction with any Windows programme such as Word, Outlook, or Explorer and supports speech synthesizer technology such as Micrsoft SAPI speech and DECTalk. It features symbol communication, text communication, word prediction, and can be used as an on-screen keyboard. It can be controlled using a range of input devices including mouse, touchscreen, head pointer, eyegaze and switches, and even can be used with environmental control systems to control equipment in the home eg lights, TV. For more information, visit www.sensorysoftware.com
VOICE n'GO
This software product also allows the user to access speech output through text and words. It works on the Windows operating system and can be purchased with a standalone product or as a complete solution with a specialised hardware device.
Proloquo and Proloquo2Go
These software programmes are designed to work with the Apple Operating System as found on Mac computers, as well as iPod, iPhone and iPad. They are only switch accessible on a computer with a USB port, not on the portable options. For more information, visit www.assistiveware.com/proloquo.php and www.therapy-box.co.uk.
EZ-Keys
EZ Keys is text-to-speech word prediction software for users who require adapted computer access. It includes standard and adapted computer access, dual word prediction (current word and next word), abbreviation expansion, and has thousands of pre-programmed phrases. The user can choose from a variety of software voices to communicate messages. For more information, visit www.words-plus.com
