Developing accessible speech technology with users with dysarthric speech

• Published in: Assistive technology pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Howarth, Elizabeth, Vabulas, Geena, Connolly, Sean, Green, Dawn, Smolley, Sara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 27-03-2024
• Subjects: alternative and augmentative communication (AAC); automatic speech recognition (ASR); user-centered design; smart home technologies; dysarthria
• ISSN: 1040-0435; 1949-3614
• DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2328082

The Voiceitt app is designed for people with dysarthric speech, to support vocal communication and access to voice-driven technologies. Sixty-six participants were recruited to test the Voiceitt app and share feedback with developers. Most had physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments in addition to atypical speech. The project team liaised with individuals, their families and local support teams to provide access to the app and associated equipment. Testing was user-led, with participants asked to identify and test use cases most relevant to their daily lives over three months or more. Ongoing technical support and training were provided remotely and in-person throughout their testing. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect feedback on users' experiences, with delivery adapted to individuals' needs and preferences. Informal feedback was collected through ongoing contact between participants, their families and support teams and the project team. User feedback has led to improvements to the user interface and functionality, including faster voice training, simplified navigation, the introduction of game-style features and of switch access as an alternative to touchscreen access. This work offers a case-study in meaningful engagement with diverse disabled users of assistive technology in commercial software development.