ICCHP Conference 2024: Exploring Innovations in AAC: A Look at the Latest Trends and Technologies

ICCHP always has a programme that covers many accessibility and assistive technology topics and 2024 was no dfferent. We were lucky enough to have a special thematic session about AAC that allowed several speakers and attendees the chance to explore innovations across three areas:

Generative AI in AAC: Breaking New Ground

One of the most significant trends described was the integration of AAC with generative artificial intelligence (AI). Generative AI techniques that produce new, meaningful content, such as text and images, are harnessed to improve communication interactions. For example, an application based on the Japanese "Manzai" dialogue style has been developed to generate accessible, engaging dialogues. This approach allows users to interact with humorous, auto-generated phrases, promoting meaningful interactions. Whilst the jokes may not have travelled well, the concepts did. Global Symbols presented and demonstrated the use of generative AI for creating personalised AAC symbols. We recognised that challenges remain, such as ensuring consistency and cultural relevance of symbols. Despite these hurdles, there is potential for significant advancements in personalised AAC symbol development, including the expansion of open-licensed symbol sets.

Flexible and Person-Centered AAC Systems

The STS highlighted the importance of flexibility and person-centred approaches in AAC systems. Personalised AAC systems, whether browser-based or downloadable, are becoming increasingly prevalent and a notable innovation is the synchronisation of AAC content across multiple devices through web services. This allows for real-time updates and adaptations, ensuring that AAC users have consistent and personalised communication tools, regardless of their device. Benjamin Klaus demonstrated how the AsTeRICS grid, an open-source application with freely available symbols from several open licenced symbol sets, provides an accessible and customisable AAC solution. Emma Feerick showed how Snap Core First as a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) on tablets could support adults with autism but relevant training for both staff. and users was often lacking and this affected engagement.

Snap Core First is available from Tobii Dynavox

Engagement and Evaluation: Enhancing Communication Outcomes

Engagement is crucial for successful AAC outcomes especially when individuals are introduced to new and innovative applications. Increased motivation can be achieved by using enjoyable and interactive prompts to encourage language and vocabulary learning in young children with autism as was shown by Y.R.Kang. The research indicated that having engaged in joint attention exercises improvements could be made in both receptive and expressive language, as well as a reduction in behavioural issues.

Additionally, researchers are exploring unaided AAC methods, which rely on body movements, gestures, and facial expressions. AI applications, including machine learning and computer vision techniques, are being developed to capture and interpret these non-verbal communication clues. This personalised approach aims to build a comprehensive communication framework tailored to each user's unique abilities and preferences.

Conclusion

The AAC field is experiencing a wave of innovations enhancing communication for individuals with severe speech and language difficulties. These advancements transform how AAC users interact with the world, from generative AI and flexible, person-centred systems to engaging, multimodal communication methods. As research and development continue, the potential for even more groundbreaking solutions in AAC is immense, promising a future where communication barriers are significantly reduced.

It is not possible to write about all the papers presented but they can be found in the Springer Link "Computers Helping People with Special Needs" Part 1&2 publicatons

Other presentations from the conference are freely available in an Open Access Compendium “Future Perspectives on Accessibility, AT and Inclusion” download PDF.