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A Story of Unspoken Efforts of Elaine Drover
Designing Assistive Communication Systems with People with Cerebral Palsy
Project Overview
SUMMARY
This project focused on co-designing an assistive communication system with Elaine Drover to address persistent communication barriers for individuals with cerebral palsy, particularly those who have achieved literacy through Blissymbolics. Current Assistive Communication System users face a substantial communication delay, with a gap of approximately 80 words per minute compared to non-users (Valencia et al., 2023).
The project aimed to promote Blissymbolics as a recognized language, reduce the communication gap, emphasize user privacy and autonomy, and improve communication efficiency and effectiveness for users. Through these objectives, the project sought to enhance both the speed and quality of interaction for individuals relying on assistive communication.
MY ROLE
Lead Designer
Product vision and thinking
UX Research
WHO I WORKED WITH
Developers
Co-Designers
Researchers
DURATION
8 months
Research
PRIMARY RESEARCH
01
Storytelling
I spent time understanding Elaine's personal narratives by asking her questions to gain deeper insights into her daily challenges and communication preferences.
02
Contextual Analysis
Examining various communication contexts:
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Elaine is very social. She loves making jokes, interacting with others and spending time with her friends + family over zoom and through her communication system.
PARTICIPANT PROFILE & RESEARCH PURPOSE
In our primary research, we focused on understanding the design process through the experiences of our participant, Elaine Drover, a woman from Newfoundland, Canada, currently residing in Toronto. Elaine, who relies on an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system due to her physical limitations, has a rich communication experience that was explored in depth. Various aspects of her daily interactions, considering the diverse conversational scenarios she encounters were examined. Elaine is a lively individual who enjoys making jokes, listening to music, singing, and dancing, and she learned English through Blissymbolics.
A comprehensive system map detailing the life journey of Elaine, who was born with cerebral palsy in 1960 in Baie Verte, Canada. The map is circular, with a central theme of Elaine's evolving methods of communication, surrounded by various life events organized chronologically and thematically in segments. The segments are colour-coded and interconnected, highlighting different stages of her life such as early education, medical interventions, personal achievements, and later life adaptations.
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The image includes a central photo of Elaine, depicted as an elderly woman with glasses and curly hair, symbolizing her resilience and long journey through various challenges and achievements.
How might we...
Improve the speed and personalization of Assistive Communication Systems with individuals with cerebral palsy, enabling them to communicate more efficiently and effectively in various social settings?
Design Process
The design process followed a three-dimensional framework of inclusive design:
Using open and transparent processes - using techniques that are comfortable for her and asking questions for conformation what she means without making assumptions.
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Experimented with more than one way of communication, in this case, through her assistive communication device and all in person sessions.​
Recognizing and respecting human uniqueness & variability
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​Elaine's experience is unique as she has lived away from family most of her life and seen her fair share of struggles with her independence and financial concerns.
Co-designing with individuals who find current designs challenging
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Elaine became used to the assistive communication system even though some functions are impossible for her to use - such as pressing two buttons together to change the settings.
User Needs
Faster Communication
Users like Elaine need a system that reduces the time it takes to communicate, especially for frequent phrases or tasks. Predictive text, context-aware suggestions, and a more efficient input system are critical to meet this need.
Personalization & Usability
Users require a system that is adaptable to their specific communication styles, preferences, and physical abilities. The system needs to be intuitive, customizable, and easy to navigate, considering both high-tech and low-tech users.
First Release
Context-Aware Predictive Text
AI-powered suggestions that adjust based on the user’s location, activity, and communication history to reduce typing time.
Core Dynamic Display Features
Introduce dynamic displays that adapt to user preferences over time, ensuring flexibility and ease of access for different types of communication, such as casual and formal interactions.
Basic Customization Options
Allow users to personalize their keyboard or interface with frequently used phrases, vocabulary, and symbols, tailored to their unique communication needs.
Proposed Design Solution
The proposed design integrates several innovative features to address Elaine's specific needs and challenges:
Privacy and Autonomy Features through personal login/account.
Ensuring strong privacy controls and the ability for Elaine to maintain autonomy over her communication data and device settings.
![Designs]-02.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9ec8ac_74c52113c084461194c8147a89b3904b~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_758,y_485,w_3581,h_2434/fill/w_548,h_372,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Designs%5D-02.png)
![Designs]-01.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9ec8ac_cda801aadc054e17ab28ebe52d9e4f15~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_670,y_493,w_3677,h_2413/fill/w_576,h_378,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Designs%5D-01.png)
Context-Aware Predictive Text
Utilizing contextual AI and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to provide more accurate and context-aware suggestions, reducing the time and effort required to compose messages.
Core Dynamic Display Features
Transitioning from static grid displays to dynamic ones that adapt to Elaine's communication patterns, presenting more relevant and frequently used symbols.
Basic Customization Options
Allowing for a highly customizable interface where Elaine can arrange symbols and functions according to her preferences, improving ease of use.
Learnings
Co-Design Methodologies Foster Inclusivity and Effectiveness
Co-design methodologies prioritize transparent communication, understanding users' diverse experiences and backgrounds, and collaborating with individuals in extreme scenarios. This approach ensures the creation of truly user-centered, inclusive, and impactful design solutions.
User Agency is Key to Successful Design
Successful assistive technology must empower users by enhancing autonomy, not by introducing limitations or dependencies. This approach ensures greater user satisfaction, adoption, and long-term value, aligning with the principles of inclusive and effective product development.
Iterative Testing and Feedback Loops Are Essential
Regular testing uncovered issues such as unwanted suggestions and usability challenges, emphasizing the importance of continuous feedback. An iterative design process that evolves based on real-world usage ensures the final product meets user needs effectively, driving both functionality and user satisfaction.
Future Work
Developing Scalable and Customizable Interfaces
Investing in adaptive and inclusive interface designs enables businesses to cater to a wider range of users with diverse needs. By moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, companies can create systems that appeal to a broader customer base, enhancing market reach and customer satisfaction.
Targeting Global Markets Through Cross-Cultural Research
Conducting cross-cultural studies ensures systems are tailored to varying legal, social, and cultural contexts. This approach opens opportunities for businesses to expand into new markets, meet localized needs, and establish themselves as leaders in creating culturally sensitive communication tools.
Leveraging Gamification for User Retention and Growth
Integrating gamification elements into systems enhances user engagement and learning outcomes, driving long-term customer loyalty. By creating engaging, educational experiences, businesses can differentiate their products, attract diverse demographics, and scale their solutions across cultures and user groups effectively.
Let's Connect
Open for collaborations or simply a friendly chat!
Reach out to me at gulaysyeda@gmail.com