DESIGNING DYNAMIC DIPLAY PAGES FOR THE DYNAVOX 2/2C (TM): MAKING IT FUN FOR YOU AND FUNCTIONAL FOR THE USER

Froma Cumming, OTR/L, OT4Kids
Christie Ann Rochester, Sentient Systems Technology

Web Posted on: December 12, 1997

Designing communication pages for a dynamic display communication device assumes knowledge of the user's strengths, an understanding of his communication needs and a vision towards the future. It involves making decisions to maximize the user's motor access, visual perception and functional cognition, making vocabulary choices and ways to present vocabulary.

Physical page design to optimize speed of communication, strategies for linking pages, and creating opportunities for language expansion and generative language are part of page organization and design.

This presentation will outline the steps and shortcuts available to assist the 'page maker' to design custom pages that will meet the user's current communication needs and enable communication growth for children adolescents and adult who use symbol and/or words on their communication pages.

Considerations for the User and the Application:

• Who is the user?
• Age / Cognitive Level?
• Physical Abilities?
• Vision considerations?
• What is their access method? (Direct select / scanning / joystick /mouse: any of these with auditory feedback)
• Direct Selection Considerations:
  • Hold and Release time
  • Button Feedback (auditory feedback: click or word cue)
• Visual Scanning Considerations:
  • Consistent Scanning Pattern across pages
  • Page and Button Colors
  • Order buttons in a Frequency of Use Hierarchy
  • Order buttons alphabetically
• Auditory Scanning Considerations:
  • Appropriate Auditory Cues
  • Order buttons in a Frequency of Use Hierarchy
  • Order buttons alphabetically
• Joystick Considerations:
  • Consistent centering across pages
  • Joystick wrapping
  • Joystick selection (fire button or pause)
  • Auditory Feedback
• Mouse Pause Considerations:
  • Mouse pause time
  • Auditory Feedback
• Is there user involvement in the vocabulary selection/organization?
• Current user vocabulary?
• Current modes of communication?
• Communication environments?
• Communication partners?
• What needs to be communicated?
• Goals? (Functional/appropriate/speed/accuracy)
• Potential/future?
• Alternative modes of communication/back-up system?

Participants will be introduced to the process of designing communication pages (this will not include how to program the device). They will see communication pages for three age groups with rational of why vocabulary, page design and strategies were used, and hear commentary of how people are actually using these pages in their own communities. Participants will carry away handouts that provide detailed programming information and a vocabulary listing, printouts of the layouts for those interested in replicating any of the presented pages for the DynaVox 2/2c (TM).