This project sounds very interesting - and possibly a very complementary
project to Speechmakers.
Are you considering adults, children or both in this project? I jointly
run a service that makes bespoke equipment for disabled children to
enable computer access (www.meru.org.uk/interfacecentre/ - to be updated
soon), so I would be interested in any more information/results of this
project in respect to this service...
Cheers.
Simon
Simon Judge
Electronic Engineer MEng
[log in to unmask]
020 8770 8283
http://www.meru.org.uk
MERU
8 Damson Way
Orchard Hill
Carshalton
Surrey
SM5 4NR
020 8770 8398 (fax)
Registered Charity Number: 269804
Company Limited by Guarantee Number: 1214125
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Christoforides
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 23 August 2002 16:24
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Speechmakers Project - Free software!
>
>
> Very interesting project, as a matter of fact our department
> is working with the School of Computing Science of the
> University of Birmingham on a similar idea. I haven't looked
> into "Speechmakers" in great detail yet, but our main aim is
> to focus on providing disabled people with very little
> experience on computers, with a tool that they can use to
> learn more about basic IT skills, in conjunction with the
> specialised equipment they are probably using to operate the computer.
>
> Chris Christoforides
> Clinical Engineer
> Access To Communication & Technology
> Oak Tree Lane Centre
> 91 Oak Tree Lane
> Selly Oak
> Birmingham
> B29 6JA
> Website: http://www.bscht.org.uk/Services/rehab/frarehab.htm
>
>
> Tel: 0121 6278235
> Fax: 0121 6278892
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: p=NHS NATIONAL
> INT;a=NHS;c=GB;dda:RFC-822=ASSISTECH(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK;
> Sent: 23 August 2002 14:33
> To: p=NHS NATIONAL
> INT;a=NHS;c=GB;dda:RFC-822=ASSISTECH(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK;
> Subject: Re: Speechmakers Project - Free software!
>
> 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
>
> [log in to unmask]
> 020 8770 8283
>
http://www.meru.org.uk
MERU
8 Damson Way
Orchard Hill
Carshalton
Surrey
SM5 4NR
020 8770 8398 (fax)
Registered Charity Number: 269804
Company Limited by Guarantee Number: 1214125
