Hi Simon,
I think this is a brilliant idea. One is always finding shortcomings in accessibility and communication software when it comes to customising the system for individual needs. A flexible open source system may just be the answer. However, is an open source system ever complete? And if not, how would that relate to the medical devices directive (wrt Communication Aid side of the software)? (My guess is that it would perpetually be a custom made device(?)).
I would very much like to be involved in varying degrees (or atleast have my two pennys worth) on all three aspects of the project (especially the input side of things).
Do you know of the GOK (GNOME Onscreen Keyboard) project (may also be of interest to others on Assistech)? Also an open source project, set up to create a multimodal accessible user interface for the Linux open source GUI. That project is nearing 'completion' now and you may be able to borrow a few ideas from it (mainly relating to alternative input strategies).
Regards,
Aejaz
P.S. You may also want to post the info about speechmaker to the Tech-Dis and RESNA lists. Tech-Dis mainly appears to consist of accessibility advisors at various educational institutions. http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/TECH-DIS.html. www.resna.org
PPS. GOK project: www.gok.ca
_____________________________________________________
Aejaz Zahid
Clinical Scientist (Assistive Technology)
Department of Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering
Barnsley DGH NHS Trust, Barnsley S75 2EP
[T] 01226 730000 x2159
[F] 01226 208159
-----Original Message-----
From: p=NHS NATIONAL
INT;a=NHS;c=GB;dda:RFC-822=ASSISTECH(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK;
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 6:41 PM
To: p=NHS NATIONAL
INT;a=NHS;c=GB;dda:RFC-822=ASSISTECH(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK;
Subject: Speechmakers Project - Free software!
Hi.
We have recently started a project called Speechmakers - with the
objective of designing software to enable communication and computer
access. The project is an 'open-source' project and the software is to
be released under a 'free software' license - in non techno-babble this
means that the software will be developed by volunteers over the
internet, be free to redistribute and free to download.
This isn't pie in the sky - we have just released our first bit of
software (free to download now). This software provides automatic
narration of PowerPoint presentations and may be of use to those who
have difficulty communicating or for visually impaired users. You can
get it by following the link at the bottom of this email.
This is very much a fledgling project - although we are now applying for
funding to employ a coder to develop a core set of software which can be
built upon by the volunteers.
One of the core values of the project (and of the organisation I work
for) is that the software will be designed for specific needs - and this
is one of the great things about Open Source Software - it allows
innovation, experimentation and also a very straight line from the
client to the designer. We have also obtained agreement from a prominent
organisation to obtain feedback and advice on the software from their
students.
The software would be in three sections - input (e.g.
on-screen-keyboards etc...), processing (e.g. prediction) and output
(e.g. Speech synthesis)... this leaves massive scope for innovation and
application of current technologies and research.
Anyway, i'd be interested in opinions, criticisms, abuse, enthusiasm,
offers of support, money, Nobel prizes, or any other comments... either
to the list or direct email.
Sorry for the long mail, hope y'all stuck with it and I have made sense.
Best Regards,
Simon
Links:
Speechmakers: www.speechmakers.org
Download page: www.meru.org.uk/speechmakers/downloads.html
Discussion page:
http://www.meru.org.uk/twiki/bin/view/Speechmakers/WebHome
Interesting Speech Synthesis Demos:
http://www.cstr.ed.ac.uk/projects/festival/demos.html (some of these are
a great improvement (?) on conventional windows SAPI or DECTalk - and
implementing the code for these is probably on of the next parts of the
project).
P.S. This is a great mailing list, are there any others anyone knows of
on similar subjects?
Simon Judge
Electronic Engineer MEng
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020 8770 8283
http://www.meru.org.uk
MERU
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