Designing electronic graphic symbol-based AAC systems: A scoping review. Part 1: System description

Kerstin  M. Tönsing; Jessica Bartram; Refilwe E. Morwane; Annalu Waller

doi:10.1080/17483107.2022.2147228

Designing electronic graphic symbol-based AAC systems: A scoping review. Part 1: System description

Kerstin M. Tönsing (Lead / Corresponding author), Jessica Bartram, Refilwe E. Morwane, Annalu Waller

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Abstract

Purpose: This is the first of two papers summarizing studies reporting on the design of electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, to determine the state of the field. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the general characteristics of the studies and to describe the features of the systems designed.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted. A multifaceted search resulted in the identification of 28 studies meeting the selection criteria. Data were extracted relating to four areas of interest, namely (1) the general characteristics of the studies, (2) features of the systems designed, (3) availability of the systems to the public, and (4) the design processes followed. In this paper, findings relating to the first three areas are presented.

Results: Most study authors were affiliated to fields of engineering and/or computer science and came from high-income countries. Most studies reported the design of AAC applications loaded onto mobile technology devices. Common system features included customizable vocabulary items, the inclusion of graphic symbols from both established AAC libraries and other sources, a dynamic grid display, and the inclusion of digital and/or synthetic speech output. Few systems were available to the public.

Conclusions: Limited justifications for many of the complex design decisions were provided in the studies, possibly due to limited involvement of rehabilitation professionals during the design process. Furthermore, few studies reported on the design of graphic symbol-based AAC systems specifically for middle- and low-income contexts and also for multilingual populations.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Complex design decisions about electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems should be made purposefully and with sufficient justification.

• Increased collaboration between designers and rehabilitation professionals during the design of electronic graphic symbol-based systems could improve the products.

• Design of AAC systems for populations residing in low and middle-income contexts and also for multilingual populations are urgently needed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1079-1091
Number of pages	13
Journal	Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Volume	19
Issue number	3
Early online date	23 Nov 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2022.2147228
Publication status	Published - 2024

Keywords

assistive technology
augmentative and alternative communication
design
electronic AAC systems
graphic symbols
Assistive technology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Speech and Hearing
Rehabilitation
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Biomedical Engineering
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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10.1080/17483107.2022.2147228

Author accepted manuscript
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology] on 23 November 2022, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17483107.2022.2147228
Accepted author manuscript, 520 KB

Cite this

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title = "Designing electronic graphic symbol-based AAC systems: A scoping review. Part 1: System description",

abstract = "Purpose: This is the first of two papers summarizing studies reporting on the design of electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, to determine the state of the field. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the general characteristics of the studies and to describe the features of the systems designed.Methods: A scoping review was conducted. A multifaceted search resulted in the identification of 28 studies meeting the selection criteria. Data were extracted relating to four areas of interest, namely (1) the general characteristics of the studies, (2) features of the systems designed, (3) availability of the systems to the public, and (4) the design processes followed. In this paper, findings relating to the first three areas are presented.Results: Most study authors were affiliated to fields of engineering and/or computer science and came from high-income countries. Most studies reported the design of AAC applications loaded onto mobile technology devices. Common system features included customizable vocabulary items, the inclusion of graphic symbols from both established AAC libraries and other sources, a dynamic grid display, and the inclusion of digital and/or synthetic speech output. Few systems were available to the public.Conclusions: Limited justifications for many of the complex design decisions were provided in the studies, possibly due to limited involvement of rehabilitation professionals during the design process. Furthermore, few studies reported on the design of graphic symbol-based AAC systems specifically for middle- and low-income contexts and also for multilingual populations.Implications for rehabilitation• Complex design decisions about electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems should be made purposefully and with sufficient justification.• Increased collaboration between designers and rehabilitation professionals during the design of electronic graphic symbol-based systems could improve the products.• Design of AAC systems for populations residing in low and middle-income contexts and also for multilingual populations are urgently needed.",

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author = "{M. T{\"o}nsing}, Kerstin and Jessica Bartram and Morwane, {Refilwe E.} and Annalu Waller",

note = "Funding Information: This scoping review was made possible with the support from the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR). SADiLaR is a research infrastructure established the Department of Science and Technology of the South African government as part of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap(SARIR).",

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AU - Waller, Annalu

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PY - 2024

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N2 - Purpose: This is the first of two papers summarizing studies reporting on the design of electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, to determine the state of the field. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the general characteristics of the studies and to describe the features of the systems designed.Methods: A scoping review was conducted. A multifaceted search resulted in the identification of 28 studies meeting the selection criteria. Data were extracted relating to four areas of interest, namely (1) the general characteristics of the studies, (2) features of the systems designed, (3) availability of the systems to the public, and (4) the design processes followed. In this paper, findings relating to the first three areas are presented.Results: Most study authors were affiliated to fields of engineering and/or computer science and came from high-income countries. Most studies reported the design of AAC applications loaded onto mobile technology devices. Common system features included customizable vocabulary items, the inclusion of graphic symbols from both established AAC libraries and other sources, a dynamic grid display, and the inclusion of digital and/or synthetic speech output. Few systems were available to the public.Conclusions: Limited justifications for many of the complex design decisions were provided in the studies, possibly due to limited involvement of rehabilitation professionals during the design process. Furthermore, few studies reported on the design of graphic symbol-based AAC systems specifically for middle- and low-income contexts and also for multilingual populations.Implications for rehabilitation• Complex design decisions about electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems should be made purposefully and with sufficient justification.• Increased collaboration between designers and rehabilitation professionals during the design of electronic graphic symbol-based systems could improve the products.• Design of AAC systems for populations residing in low and middle-income contexts and also for multilingual populations are urgently needed.

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Designing electronic graphic symbol-based AAC systems: A scoping review. Part 1: System description

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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Designing electronic graphic symbol-based AAC systems: A scoping review. Part 2: Application of human-centred design

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