Inclusive AAC: Multi-modal and multilingual language support for all

• Published in: Technology and disability Vol. 26; no. 2-3; pp. 93 - 103
• Main Authors: Lundälv, Mats, Derbring, Sandra, Mühlenbock, Katarina Heimann, Brännström, Annika, Farre, Bengt, Nordberg, Lars
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 2014
• Subjects: Coding; Conferences; Mobile communication systems; Mobile operating systems; Platforms; Representations; Research and development; Symbols; UNIX (operating system); graphical symbols; literacy; Universal Design; AAC; AT; accessibility; cognitive impairment; free and open-source software
• ISSN: 1055-4181; 1878-643X
• DOI: 10.3233/TAD-140407

The Concept Coding Framework (CCF) technology represents a long term commitment to develop and deliver an open infrastructure for multi-modal and multilingual language support for a wide area of applications. In this way the varying needs among several smaller groups of users of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) may be met as part of a more inclusively designed [1] mainstream environment of much broader interest. With support from the EU via the AEGIS project, a “CCF-SymbolServer” has been developed. It can be installed locally on any of the major desktop platforms (GNU/Linux, MacOS X and Windows), or online, to support many kinds of local or web based services and networked mobile systems. In any of these environments the CCF-SymbolServer can provide its multilingual and multi-modal representation services to other applications. Three such applications, developed and tested with users within AEGIS, are presented: 1) CCF-SymbolWriter, an extension for symbol support in LibreOffice/OpenOffice Writer; 2) CCF-SymbolDroid, an AAC app for Android mobile devices; 3) the new CCF supported version of Special Access to Windows (SAW6). Three current follow-up projects are briefly presented in the outline of perspectives for further research and development.