Enhancing the Appeal of AAC Technologies for Young Children: Lessons from the Toy Manufacturers
By Light, Janice C.; Drager, Kathryn D.P.; Nemser, Jessica; Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 137-149Publication Date: September 2004
Study compares features of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology with the features of toys that are popular among young children in order to identify potential designs that could improve AAC technology. A total of 43 AAC systems designed for children ages 2 to 5 were reviewed, as were 60 toys designed for young children. The toys and the AAC systems were systematically analyzed in terms of color, materials, shape, size, weight, movement or action, sound or voices, lights, and themes. Results indicated that there are significant differences between the design features of AAC devices and toys. The differences were compared and contrasted, while implications were found for potential design modifications for AAC technologies. For example, some AAC devices give the user the ability to record different synthesized voices such as DECTalk voices Perfect Paul, Beautiful Betty, or Kit the Kid. None of the systems, however, allow for the recording of the voices of popular children’s characters found in the toy industry. Implications for further research are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: DECTALK ACCESS 32
Published by: International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) (Website:http://www.isaac-online.org)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J46867
