Text Messaging with Pictures and Speech Synthesis for Persons with Cognitive and Communicative Disabilities -Professionals' Advice for Successful Use

摘要

Communication problems can restrict people from communication over the phone. Text messaging is a way of using the phone without speech, but requires good cognitive skills. People who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and have limited skills in reading and writing can write text messages by using symbols representing words or phrases. This interview study examines the views of professionals regarding criteria for successful use of text messaging with symbols. The professionals worked with project participants with cognitive and communicative disabilities who tried text messaging with picture symbols and speech synthesis in smartphones. The users' experiences of text-messaging are reported elsewhere. Results point to the necessity of individual assessments and that this is a time consuming task. It also shows a need of a supportive environment and of good cooperation with everybody involved to make remote communication and introduction of new technology work.