The TalkingBox. Revealing Strengths of Adults with Severe Cognitive Disabilities
Proceedings of the 22nd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers …, 2020•dl.acm.org
In this paper, we present a case study of the iterative design of TalkingBox, a communication
device designed with a person with a severe cognitive disability and his support network.
TalkingBox combines graphic symbols with tangible technology to foster the use of symbolic
communication by leveraging the person's strength and interest in memory matching games.
In the course of designing, trialing and iterating the TalkingBox, we discovered that the
design supported not only the development of symbolic communication, but also revealed …
device designed with a person with a severe cognitive disability and his support network.
TalkingBox combines graphic symbols with tangible technology to foster the use of symbolic
communication by leveraging the person's strength and interest in memory matching games.
In the course of designing, trialing and iterating the TalkingBox, we discovered that the
design supported not only the development of symbolic communication, but also revealed …
In this paper, we present a case study of the iterative design of TalkingBox, a communication device designed with a person with a severe cognitive disability and his support network. TalkingBox combines graphic symbols with tangible technology to foster the use of symbolic communication by leveraging the person's strength and interest in memory matching games. In the course of designing, trialing and iterating the TalkingBox, we discovered that the design supported not only the development of symbolic communication, but also revealed new interests and strengths of our participant. TalkingBox highlighted opportunities for interactions with peers, revealed new skills in visual discrimination, and evidenced interests. These could, in turn, support staff and family to adapt their support. More importantly, TalkingBox had become a living portfolio presenting our participant with severe disability through the lens of their strengths. We discuss opportunities for research through co-design to open new avenues for future communication technologies.
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