Prototype of Simplified VOCA Device for Special Support Education

Abstract

Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA) is used for students with disabilities in language communication in special support education. VOCA device plays back words or sentences recorded in human voice by pressing SWs. It may also read words or sentences in synthetic voices. It is effective for students with disabilities in language communication.Current mainstream VOCA devices are rich in functions, and some devices can customize functions according to user's needs. In special support education, such VOCA devices are very convenient. However, in some cases, it may be unnecessary for the VOCA which provide multiple functions and customization at a school for special support education, because teachers must perform various tasks every day. Such schools, simplified VOCA that can only record and play back by SW operation would be useful. And it is desirable ideally be able to be purchased at a low cost.The purpose of this study is to develop a low cost simplified VOCA prototype device which can be used by simple operation at schools for special support education. In this report, the simplified VOCA device was proposed and prototyped. We developed and evaluated our first prototype. Currently, we are developing a second prototype to improve on the first prototype.A further work in this study is to evaluate and improve the second prototype. If possible, we will make a set of parts kit for a simplified VOCA and construct an environment that teachers and support staff of special support education can assemble the kit and use the device easily.