Speech generating devices include any device that uses electronically stored speech as a means of communication. Software for desktop, laptop or touch screen tablets is available, along with handheld units and portable stand alone units that can be mounted on wheelchairs or beds. Speech generating devices can be used simply to generate speech or be multi-functional such as the addition of commands to complete tasks such as answering the phone.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Speech generating devices can contain between one and several thousand words, symbols, pictures or photos. They can be accessed in a variety of ways by people with communication difficulties such as mouse, switch, eye blinking or gazing, touch screen, keyboard, head tracker or joystick.
Sentences or longer messages can be strung together from individual words or phrases and spoken smoothly. Some speech generating devices also allow for features such as word prediction, expansion of abbreviations, and customisation of user settings and preferences.
The speech produced can be either digitised or synthesised. Digitised speech messages are created by recording spoken words directly into a communication aid or a microphone. Synthesised speech is artificial, computer generated speech, which is selected from a vocabulary that has been created entirely on a computer by specialised software. It can be customised to be gender and age specific.
Equipment is available that can utilise synthesised speech to enable people with communication difficulties to use the telephone independently. This equipment uses text to speech software and sends the audio through a connector to a cordless or mobile phone, allowing private calls to be made independently.
References
Health Science 2010, Augmentative Communications and Speech Generating Devices, Health Science, Princeton, viewed 7 November 2011, http://www.speechgeneratingdevices.com/.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2011, Communication Devices—Voice Output, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 7 November 2011,
http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=WA&MC=61&MinC=4.
Noviatech 2011, Communication Devices (ACC), Novita Children’s Services Inc., Regency Park, viewed 7 November 2011, http://www.novitatech.org.au/subcategory.asp?p=247&id=1.
JITA Technologies 2009-2011, Augmentative and Alternative Telephone Communications Using Assistive Technologies, JITA Technologies LLC, South Carolina, viewed 7 November 2011, http://www.speechassistant.com/Home_Page.html.