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Abstract
Increased communication rate has long been a goal of both individuals who use AAC and device manufacturers. There is evidence that utterance-based approaches have the potential to deliver faster rates without loss of coherence. An overview of the historical development of devices that embody such approaches is set out here. This account focuses on the theoretical origins of utterance-based devices (UBDs) and the range of approaches that these have produced. Next, the issue of a causal relationship between conversational rate and positive attributions is addressed. Three recent studies supporting a causal relationship are described, followed by an account of a direct comparison between a UBD and a word construction system in office environments that involved a mix of transactional communication and social chat. Conversational rate and perceived communicative competence were both higher when the UBD was used. Finally, some issues for the future development of UBDs are discussed.
Notes
1 Phonic Ear (2007). The VOIS 140 (number code retrieval) and VOIS135 (retrieval by level and location) devices are now not in production. Originally manufactured by Phonic Ear Inc. 3880 Cypress Drive, Petaluma, CA, 94954-7600. USA.
2 Research on the TALK system was funded by a grant from the Research Initiatives Committee of the University of Dundee (Project no. A06/89) and a charitable donation from the Digital Equipment Organization. Currently a version of TALK is available as Talk Boards through Mayer Johnson LLC.
3 Contact is a prototype AAC system developed through grants from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders (DC04646-03) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (GR/R55135/01).
4 The Nixon Tapes were made by then president Richard M. Nixon during his conversations with his associates in the White House. They were used as evidence during the Watergate investigation leading to his resignation as President of the United States in 1974.
5 Lightwriter™ is manufactured by Toby Churchill Ltd.
6 Viking Software is part of the Tobii Technology group: Tobii Technology AB, Karlsrovägen 2D, S-182 53 Danderyd, Sweden. http://www.viking-software.com, http://www.tobii.com.
7 DynaVox Technologies, 2100 Wharton Street, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA. www.dynavoxtech.com.
8 Mayer-Johnson LLC, PO Box 1579, Solana Beach, CA 92075, USA. http://www.mayer-johnson.com.
9 Prentke Romich Company World Headquarters, 1022 Heyl Road, Wooster, OH 44691. http://www.prentrom.com.