Article 2. Speech Output

Digitized speech technology has definitely hit the market–you can even record your own greeting cards! Until recently, widespread use of recorded voice output communication aids (VOCAs) was limited to tape recorders with loop tapes or magnetic card readers. Now a plethora of devices talk.

Digitized devices are easy to program, affordable and available. As a result, more people with AAC needs have speech output. Messages literally can be changed on the spot. Also, an individual's age, gender, dialect, language, culture and personality can be reflected; and people can choose the voice they will use.

While disadvantages are few, recorded speech is not likely to replace machine-generated text-to-speech, particularly for those needing access to large vocabularies across multiple contexts and for literate users. Organizing vocabularies, overlays and recordings often are difficult. Another difficulty arises when the chosen "voice/person" is not available.

Features of VOCAs that use recorded speech are summarized in Table 11 (not included) (cost less than $500) below and Table 111 on page 5 (not included) (cost more than $500).

Note: Information about features and simple VOCAS was adapted from Smith and Walker's CSUN presentation.²

Output time. How much recording time is available? Each device has limitations. As the time increases, so does the cost. Devices in Table III (not included) allow more recording time (at more cost). Some also permit a person to select "high-quality" or "extended" (somewhat poorer quality) speech. It is best to listen to the speech quality of a device to determine if it is satisfactory.

Maximum number of messages and time per message. Some VOCAs allow messages of variable length to be recorded in any location. Other VOCAs do not.

Message space. Dimensions of the space (square/circle) where messages are located and symbols can be placed are important for those with motor and/or visual difficulties.

Access options. A variety of direct selection and scanning techniques are available.

Language options. The kind of language (text, symbols) and the strategies for accessing vocabulary (coding, levels, prediction) are important considerations. The DAC and Digivox allow users to do some spelling. Some devices allow recordings to be stored on a computer disk. Note: You can back up any overlay on a tape recorder. Then just record from the tape to the device.

Portability. Most VOCAs with recorded speech weigh less than 3 lbs. All VOCAs in Table III (not included) have carrying cases; some have straps.

Thirteen application ideas for simple VOCAs

VOCAs with several minutes to an hour of recorded speech can provide a range of communication options across multiple contexts. Simple VOCAs also can play an important role in a person's communication system. For those with limited language capabilities and those just being exposed to technology, simple VOCAs can be a sufficient choice and can significantly increase participation. For more sophisticated AAC users, simple VOCAs can be a best solution for some tasks. Ideas below are adapted from Smith and Walker's presentation.²

1. Use the telephone. To begin a phone conversation, use a Cheap Talk, "Hello, my name is ___. I have difficulty speaking. Please don't hang up on me. I use a computer with a speech synthesizer to talk. Please be patient."

2. Make choices/requests. In a lunchroom, several people can use the Speak Easy to make choices, requests and comments.

3. Improve self-management. Use the Switch Mate 4 to help someone learn the steps to a task.

4. Manage others. Use the Say It Switch to enable a student who is mainstreamed to give directions for the spelling test.

5. Participate in choral activities. Use CheapTalk so a student can give a soliloquy in the class play.

6. Meet and greet. Mount Say It Rocking on a wheelchair for easy hellos and goodbyes.

7. Initiate interaction. To initiate interactions and raise the status of a user, program questions about a weekly current even into the Lynx "What do you think about the economy?"

8. Tell jokes and stories. Use Switch Module 4 so everyone can share a joke.

9. Relate experiences. Share information in a fun/easy manner by sending Switch Mate 4 back and forth from home to school or work.

10. Follow daily schedule. Use touch sensitive transparent adhesive microswitches (Taction Pads) attached to concrete objects with the Voice Pal. Try it as a calendar box.

11. Deal with an emergency situation. Put Say It Switch by the phone. Dial 911 and hit the switch. "I need help! My address is 1 Surf Way. Please call the police."

Deliver goods and services. Use Voice Pal attached to a cup to enable a severely involved student to collect the daily lunch count.

Final Comments

Digitized speech is not the only improvement in AAC speech devices. Intelligible, text-to-speech synthesis allows people who are literate to say "anything." Text-to-speech gives people with visual impairments (and those who are unable to read because of learning problems) access to text. It provides feedback to those learning to write. DECtalk/MultiVoice and the Infovox are highly rated, intelligible text-to-speech synthesizers that can be plugged into computers (including AAC devices.) Male, female and children's voices are available in several languages. The Dynavox, Liberator, Lightwriter, and Vois 160 have DECtalk built in. Note: The Touch Talker and Light Talker offer built in DECtalk or built-in INFOVOX synthesizers as options.

Look for more devices to offer both digitized sound and synthesized speech like those listed in Table 1 (not included).