Attuning Speech-Enabled Interfaces to User and Context for Inclusive Design: Technology, Methodology and Practice
By Neerincx, Mark A.; Cremers, Anita H.M.; Kessens, Judith M.; van Leeuwen, David A.; Truong, Khiet P.; Universal Access in the Information Society, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 109-122Publication Date: June 2009
Paper presents a methodology for the design and evaluation of speech-enabled interfaces to aid individuals with disabilities. The methodology includes the systematic application of general Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) knowledge on accessibility and technology for the identification of user needs and usage contexts. The development of 4 speech-enabled devices using this user-centered approach is described: (1) Interviews, focus groups, and participatory design sessions were held with 6 participants with reading disabilities for the development of a Talking Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), assessing the effectiveness of audible instructions delivered through a headphone using speech synthesis or prerecorded speech and alternatively on-screen icons or a talking avatar for information delivery. (2) The design process of a personal communication system (PCS) on a handheld device included the use of individuals with and without hearing impairment to evaluate speech intelligibility of the PCS’s automated speech recognition (ASR) application, with and without accompanying subtitles. Results showed that automatic subtitling provided with ASR can help hearing-impaired persons in communicative situations. (3) The Electronic Travel Companion, a PDA-based device, allows persons with an intellectual disability (ID) to travel independently by public transportation. The device, which automatically presents each step of a pre-recorded travel route on the screen accompanied by an auditory alert, was tested successfully with 3 participants with ID and their caregivers in a real public transport travel setting. (4) The Virtual Health Assistant (VHA) an assistive robot character with an expressive face based on Philips’ iCat, was developed with input from children and seniors to interact with users with chronic diseases such as diabetes, reminding them to take medication and providing health-related information.
Published by: Springer Publishing Company (Website:http://www.springerpub.com)
Link to text: http://www.springerlink.com/content/r10380p1160hw176/fulltext.html
