Inclusive AAC: Multi-modal and multilingual language support for all

Abstract

The Concept Coding Framework (CCF) technology represents a long term commitment to develop and deliver an open infrastructure for multi-modal and multilingual language support for a wide area of applications. In this way the varying needs among several smaller groups of users of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) may be met as part of a more inclusively designed [1] mainstream environment of much broader interest. With support from the EU via the AEGIS project, a “CCF-SymbolServer” has been developed. It can be installed locally on any of the major desktop platforms (GNU/Linux, MacOS X and Windows), or online, to support many kinds of local or web based services and networked mobile systems. In any of these environments the CCF-SymbolServer can provide its multilingual and multi-modal representation services to other applications. Three such applications, developed and tested with users within AEGIS, are presented: 1) CCF-SymbolWriter, an extension for symbol support in LibreOffice/OpenOffice Writer; 2) CCF-SymbolDroid, an AAC app for Android mobile devices; 3) the new CCF supported version of Special Access to Windows (SAW6). Three current follow-up projects are briefly presented in the outline of perspectives for further research and development.