For the majority of non-vocal students with cognitive impairments, the most appropriate communication system involves graphics (simple symbols or picture). Unfortunately, other than multi-key or multi-symbolcoding which are difficult to learn and recall, there are no rate enhancement techniques developed for these systems. The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate graphic based rate enhancement techniques that incorporate artificial intelligences and hypermedia technologies. The two technologies that will be developed and evaluated are graphic symbol prediction and a module to analyze the use of the communication system which can make recommendations to the therapist on how to recognize the language items to facilitate communication. A panel of experts will be identified to assist in developing the rules and protocols for rate enhancement. These features will then be incorporated into Communication Pages, which incorporates digital speech and dyi)wiiic visual displays in an easy-to-LISC li@,pcrnicdia farina. The graphic enhancement features will then be evaluated using a modified case Study and multiple baseline approach involving four students. In addition, the features will be evaluated by therapists, parents, and significant others, and by experts in the field. Communication Pages will be marketed through existing commercial software distributors.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research: Communication Pages with rate enhancement features will be marketed as a software based multipurpose communication system for persons who cannot use text-bisect communication systems. Since the speech is digital it will be marketed on an international level.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
