@inproceedings{7156973619e34cc0ad0027e4b93dba14,
title = "SymbolChat: Picture-based communication platform for users with intellectual disabilities",
abstract = "We introduce a multimodal picture-based communication platform for users with intellectual disabilities, and results from our user evaluation carried out with the target user group representatives and their assistants. Our current prototype is based on touchscreen input and symbol and text-to-speech output, but supports also mouse and keyboard interaction. The prototype was evaluated in a field study with the help of nine users with varying degrees of intellectual and motor disabilities. Based on our findings, the picture-based approach and our application, SymbolChat, show great potential in providing a tool for users with intellectual disabilities to communicate with other people over the Internet, even without prior knowledge of symbols. The findings highlighted a number of potential improvements to the system, including providing even more input methods for users with physical disabilities, and functionality to support the development of younger users, who are still learning vocabulary and developing their abilities.",
keywords = "accessibility, instant messaging, symbol communication, accessibility, instant messaging, symbol communication",
author = "Tuuli Keskinen and Tomi Heimonen and Markku Turunen and Rajaniemi, \{Juha Pekka\} and Sami Kauppinen",
year = "2012",
doi = "10.1007/978-3-642-31534-3\_43",
language = "English",
isbn = "978-3-642-31533-6",
volume = "7383 LNCS",
series = "Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)",
number = "PART 2",
pages = "279--286",
editor = "Klaus Miesenberger",
booktitle = "Computers Helping People with Special Needs - 13th International Conference, ICCHP 2012, Proceedings",
edition = "PART 2",
note = "13th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, ICCHP 2012 ; Conference date: 01-01-2012",
}