Designing an Alternative Communication System for Dysarthria in Its Initial Stage in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Abstract

Dysarthria is one of the main speech impediments which cause verbal messages to be unintelligible as a consequence of a neurological injury of the speech motor system. An indicator of this is a poor articulation of phonemes. Dysarthria may be of different kinds: spastic, flaccid, hypokinetic, hyperkinetic, ataxic, mixed, etc. The aim of this research is focused on using user-centered design and emotional design as a methodology to contribute with a communication alternative for senior citizens suffering from dysarthria in its initial stage and having the need for a communication system. With the purpose of overcoming a deficiency occurring in our context and obtained in a field research by means of interviews to experts and visits to treatment centers, it was concluded that, as a consequence of having a technological gap, it is difficult that senior citizens learn and interact with the existing technological systems that surround us, so the validation of the need for designing a system that meets our users’ specific needs was justified. By taking this into account, a portable, rechargeable, alternative communication board with an interface that is contemporary to users was designed. This considerably improves communication around them.