Electronic communication aid

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Electronic communication aids are assisted communication tools that enable people without effective spoken language to still communicate using spoken or written language output.

Systems

A distinction is made between stationary and portable systems. Stationary systems consist of a standard PC with special software and, if necessary, adapted input options, such as B. an eye control. Portable systems are also available in commercially available forms, e.g. B. a converted notebook or a smartphone with special apps , but also as aids that have been specially developed for people with disabilities.

For these electronic communication aids, also called speech output devices or talkers, the following overarching categorization can be made:

Talking buttons

This means help in which a limited number of messages are spoken on one or a few keys. If the user presses the button, the previously recorded text is activated (technical term: digitized voice output ). The number of possible statements depends on the device. The simplest devices of this type allow a statement of up to approx. 120 seconds each, other devices allow several statements and have a higher storage capacity.

Communication aids with static display

These tools have a surface that remains unchanged, i.e. has a fixed cover sheet. Such a communication aid can be imagined as a speaking communication board: The photos or icons on this board can be filled with any statements that have to be spoken by a partner.

Devices of this category are usually equipped with different levels, i. H. you can change the cover sheet, but then you have to press a corresponding toggle button for the other level. One advantage of these devices is that they are very easy to use and assign. For people with cognitive limitations , the system 1 symbol = 1 statement is relatively easy to understand, so these devices are also well suited for initiating communication. The ability to call up a spoken statement, noise or music by just pressing a button is very motivating for many people, at least in the initial phase.

Complex communication aids with dynamic display

Devices in this category are equipped with a so-called touchscreen , i. H. a display that responds to touch. Communication boards in all conceivable shapes can be loaded onto this display , i.e. both boards with icons or photos in variable sizes and boards with letters / numbers / words. In contrast to the devices with a static level, devices with dynamic levels allow you to scroll between the panels. So it can be z. B. create a generic table on the u. a. an image for "people" has been created. If the user wants to make a statement about a certain person, he presses the symbol "People" and the generic term panel disappears in favor of a panel that shows various people.

The communication boards can be individually designed using collections of symbols that are located in the device, which, however, is a time-consuming and difficult undertaking with a large vocabulary. A number of devices are therefore supplied with pre-prepared vocabulary, which can then be adapted to the needs of the user and expanded with additional tables. The option of scanning photos or self-designed icons into the device is also supported by numerous copies of this type. All of these devices have built-in synthetic voice output, and some also have digital voice output. Connection to a PC and printer is usually possible, which creates the astonishing fact that statements made on the image level are printed out as written text via the pusher.

Written language-based communication aids

Devices in this category are of interest to people who have mastered the written language. They have a keyboard and a display in which what is written appears. In addition, words, phrases and texts can be saved under letters / numeric codes and quickly called up; good word prediction software is often available. As a rule, there are connection options to a printer so that texts can also be recorded permanently. Some devices also have an integrated printing device. Most devices of this type allow what is written to be spoken through speech synthesis.

Control options

For people with severe physical disabilities, it is important that electronic communication aids can now be controlled using a large number of operating elements. Until recently, time-consuming scanning processes using one or two switches were the only solution for people who cannot move their hands in a targeted manner. Today, voice computers can be controlled quickly and safely via head or eye control.

Interfaces

Complex communication aids not only have interfaces to printers, but also enable the use of the Internet, external devices such as televisions, CD and DVD players, cameras, mobile phones, computers and much more via wired or wireless connections can greatly enrich the lives of people with disabilities.

literature

  • Braun, Ursula; Kristen, Ursi: What was the talker's name again? Electronic communication aids at a glance . In: Supported Communication 1/2003, 5-7
  • Bitterly, Manuela; Castaneda, Claudio: Complex electronic communication aids in teaching at the special school with a special focus on intellectual development. In: Sachse, Stefanie; Birngruber, Cordula; Arendes Silke (ed.): Learning and teaching in supported communication. von Loeper Verlag, Karlsruhe 2007, 254-262, ISBN 978-3-86059-145-1
  • Breul, Wolfgang: Electronic communication aids - an overview . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Ed.): Handbook of Supported Communication, Karlsruhe as of December 2011, p. 04.005.001-04.011.001, ISBN 978-3-86059-130-7
  • Bünk, Christoph; Sesterhenn, Carolin; Liesen, Iris: Electronic communication aids with dynamic displays in comparison. In: Boenisch; Jens; Bünk, Christoph (Hrsg.): Methods of supported communication. From Loeper Verlag, Karlsruhe 2003, 248-284, ISBN 3-86059-143-6
  • Stefanie Sachse: Possibilities of control and environmental control with electronic communication aids . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of September 2003, pp. 05.003.001-05.009.001
  • Journal Supported Communication, issue 3 / 4-2002: BIGmack and Co. from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe
  • magazine Supported Communication, Issue 1-2003: From BIGmack to Hightech. by Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe
  • Magazine Supported Communication, issue 4-2011: Head and eye control . from Loeper Verlag, Karlsruhe

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Stefanie Sachse: Possibilities for control and environmental control with electronic communication aids . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of September 2003, pp. 05.003.001-05.009.001
  2. ↑ Wolfgang Breul: "Look into my eyes ..." - possibilities and special features of eye control . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of October 2008, pp. 05.016.011-05.018.001
  3. ↑ Braun, Ursula; Kristen, Ursi: What was the talker's name again? Electronic communication aids at a glance . In: Supported Communication 1/2003, from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe 2003, pp. 5-7
  4. ↑ Breul, Wolfgang: Electronic communication tools - an overview . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of December 2011, pp. 04.005.001-04.011.001
  5. ↑ Bünk, Christoph; Sesterhenn, Carolin; Liesen, Iris: Electronic communication aids with dynamic displays in comparison. In: Boenisch; Jens; Bünk, Christoph (Hrsg.): Methods of supported communication . From Loeper Verlag, Karlsruhe 2003, pp. 248-28
  6. ↑ Supported communication 3 / 4-2002: BIGmack & Co. von Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe 2002
  7. ↑ Wolfgang Breul: Electronic communication aids - an overview . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of December 2011, p. 04.005.001f
  8. ↑ Braun, Ursula; Kristen, Ursi: What was the talker's name again? Electronic communication aids at a glance . In: Supported Communication 1/2003, p. 5f
  9. ↑ Angela Hallbauer. BIGmack and Co. for breakfast . In: Supported Communication 3 / 4-2002, from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe, pp. 4–10
  10. ↑ Wolfgang Breul: Electronic communication aids - an overview. In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of December 2011, pp. 04.007.001-04.008.001
  11. ↑ Bünk, Christoph; Sesterhenn, Carolin; Liesen, Iris: Electronic communication aids with dynamic displays in comparison. In: Boenisch; Jens; Bünk, Christoph (Hrsg.): Methods of supported communication. From Loeper Verlag, Karlsruhe 2003, pp. 264f
  12. ↑ Bünk, Christoph; Sesterhenn, Carolin; Liesen, Iris: Electronic communication aids with dynamic displays in comparison. In: Boenisch; Jens; Bünk, Christoph (Hrsg.): Methods of supported communication. From Loeper Verlag, Karlsruhe 2003, pp. 265-272
  13. ↑ Wolfgang Breul: Electronic communication aids - an overview. In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of December 2011, p. 04.008.001
  14. ↑ Braun, Ursula; Kristen, Ursi: What was the talker's name again? Electronic communication aids at a glance . In: Supported Communication 1/2003, from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe 2003, p. 7
  15. ↑ Stefanie Sachse: Possibilities for control and environmental control with electronic communication aids . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Hrsg.): Handbook of supported communication . from Loeper-Verlag, Karlsruhe as of September 2003, pp. 05.003.001-05.009.001
  16. ^ Journal of Supported Communication, Issue 4-2011: Head and Eye Control . from Loeper Verlag, Karlsruhe
  17. ↑ Breul, Wolfgang: Electronic communication tools - an overview . In: from Loeper Verlag and ISAAC - Society for Supported Communication e. V. (Ed.): Handbook of Supported Communication, Karlsruhe as of September 2011, p. 04.009.001