“Alternative
telephony using new technology” is a project looking for ways of improving
distance communication for people with severe speech- or hearing disabilities. Technicians
and consultants from the Assistive Technology department at the County Council
of Västerbotten have explored how consumer products can be used and adapted, mainly
free video call programs such as Skype, Tango Video Calls, Jitsi and Windows
Live Messenger.
The project
was funded by the Swedish Institute
of Assistive Technology
Professionals
working in the fields of speech, hearing and vision were linked to the project.
Nine
subjects with various disabilities and twelve relatives have tried video calls
in different hardware: smart phones, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. All
families owned some kind of hardware which could be used for video calls. Four
of the subjects were provided with tablets to give the project more experience
with new technology.
Video calling
is a direct way of interacting using objects, signs, symbols, facial
expressions and natural signals. Most subjects enjoyed video calling, but some
preferred voice phone, SMS or email. Video calling was used to a lesser degree
than expected, at most once a week. One main problem was slow Internet
connection.
Methodology
and interfaces need to be developed to facilitate the use of AAC in distance
communication and to enable partner provided support, inspired by methods such
as Written Choice Strategy, Supported Conversation for Adults or Aided Language
Stimulation.
Video
calling with consumer programs is not yet equivalent to telephony, it is not
used by public community, it only works between people using the same program
and demands a better connection than voice calling.
The
programs which were tested neither give access to SOS Alarm nor interpretation
services (from text to speech, from sign language to speech or “Teletal” for
unclear speech).
However, video calling with consumer products is
a cheap and simple way to socialize and information and adaptations should be
offered to people with speech- or hearing disabilities.
A hindering
factor is that adults in Västerbotten with speech- and language difficulties
only have access to speech therapists in hospitals, not in home settings.
When text telephone
and telefax were the main tools for “alternative telephony”, only a narrow
(writing) group of users were addressed. Now there are technical solutions for
people with more complex needs, which increases the demand for prescribers and
therefore the need for methods and technology support from consultants and
technicians of assistive technology.
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