The experience of speech recognition software abandonment by adolescents with physical disabilities

Abstract

Introduction: There is a high rate of speech recognition software (SRS) abandonment by adolescent students with physical disabilities. Purpose: This study sought to describe the experience of adolescents & their parents, who experienced abandonment of SRS. Methods: Using a narrative inquiry method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with three adolescents with a physical disability (and two parents). The individual narratives were transcribed and analyzed using plot-solution and three-dimensional space narrative elements. Results: Participants’ descriptions of their experiences of abandonment emerged along four descriptive themes: (a) they didn’t tell me the whole story, (b) I know how to use it, it’s just not worth the time and effort, (c) it’s just not the right fit for me or my needs, (d) there’s an easier way! Conclusion: Participants believed the SRS was not an adequate fit for their needs or their specific disabilities and so resorted to alternative methods of written communication. A better understanding of the compatibility of the client’s needs with the strengths & limitations of the technology, may improve the prescription and intervention process for both therapists & their clients.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Speech recognition software (SRS) may be a useful option for those who have difficulty in handwriting.

• Prescribing clinicians need to clearly outline any potential challenges or limitations of the technology they are recommending in order to help create realistic expectations. They should encourage the users to give honest feedback about their challenges.

• SRS may not be useful for every type of writing activity and many writing options should be made available to the individual so that the person may choose the option that best fits the activity. Parents and other facilitators, as well as the users themselves need to be helped to understand this.

• Prescribing clinicians should be aware that SRS in French may have some unique challenges related to the language and the clients’ regional accents.

• Abandonment
• assistive technology
• speech recognition software

Acknowledgements

The researchers would like to thank the participants for sharing their time and experience with us and the Clinic for Augmentative Communication team at the OCTC for their help in making this project feasible. As well, we gratefully acknowledge the contribution from the OCTC Clinical Research Grant (2008) provided through the TD Bank Grants in Medical Excellence and the preliminary work of Danielle Desjardins and Chantal Savoie, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ergothérapie, University of Ottawa.