Compansion: From research prototype to practical integration

  • Authors:

  • Kathleen F. McCoy;Christopher A. Pennington

  • Affiliations:

  • CIS Department, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA/ e-mail: mccoy@cis.udel.edu;Applied Science and Engineering Laboratories, University of Delaware and duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, PO Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA/ e-mail: penningt@asel.udel.edu

  • Venue:
  • Natural Language Engineering
  • Year:
  • 1998

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Abstract

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is the field of study concerned with providing devices and techniques to augment the communicative ability of a person whose disability makes it difficult to speak or otherwise communicate in an understandable fashion. For several years, we have been applying natural language processing techniques to the field of AAC to develop intelligent communication aids that attempt to provide linguistically correct output while increasing communication rate. Previous effort has resulted in a research prototype called Compansion that expands telegraphic input. In this paper we describe that research prototype and introduce the Intelligent Parser Generator (IPG). IPG is intended to be a practical embodiment of the research prototype aimed at a group of users who have cognitive impairments that affect their linguistic ability. We describe both the theoretical underpinnings of Compansion and the practical considerations in developing a usable system for this population of users.