The Application of Natural Language Processing to Augmentative and Alternative Communication

ABSTRACT

Significant progress has been made in the application of natural language processing (NLP) to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), particularly in the areas of interface design and word prediction. This article will survey the current state-of-the-science of NLP in AAC and discuss its future applications for the development of next generation of AAC technology.

Keywords:

• natural language processing
• NLP
• augmentative and alternative communication
• AAC
• communication aids
• word prediction

Notes

1. Although the term “user” is not a preferred term in the disability community it is used widely in the literature dealing with NLP applications and user-interface design. In this paper this term will be refer to the “generic” person interacting with technology.

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FITALY

3. http://www.almaden.ibm.com/u/zhai/ATOMIK.htm

4. http://www.swiftkey.net/

5. http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/

6. http://www.widgit.com/products/symwriter/index.htm

7. A video of the SSR system can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/davinciawards#p/c/19254BCD97F0FFF8/0/bTks5CPM8Ks

8. http://myvoiceaac.com

9. http://locabulary.com