Introduction
Speech4Pedro is an open source project that aims to deliver a software communication tool for heavily impaired people. With only a few keys someone will be able to type text by entering morse codes. A speech synthesizer will pronounce their input and guide them through the interface.
Speech4Pedro is targeted at people who are unable or have difficulties to speak, cannot either see or hear and have sensory and motor skills that are insufficient to control a normal keyboard.
Pedro
The spark that iginited this project is one person in particular. His name, as you might have guessed already, is Pedro. The program will be designed to be usable for other people in similar conditions.
Pedro is suffering from mutiple sclerosis (MS) for over two decades. MS is a progressive disease that gradually affects the nervous system. As such, a person with MS is at risk to gradually loose functions (such as sight, speech, muscle control) and over time to become impaired in several, multiple ways.
In an advanced stage of the disease it can become very difficult to communicate. In the case of Pedro he is unable to control a normal keyboard and lost his eyesight to a large extent. Talking becomes increasingly difficult.
Positioning of Speech4Pedro
There are a lot of aids on the market for impaired people. Most of them are targeted to people whith one limitation only. Some others assume limited cognitive skills and facilitate communication only at a simple, rather low level. Often they are closed, stand alone devices that cannot communicate with other programs or computers.
Adaptation to anyone's personal needs tends to be time consuming, expensive and often is subject to permission of insurance companies and cost restrictions.
By creating an open source software product with a thorough architecture I'd like to create a solution that is adaptable, immediately available and that can grow with the experiences and needs of the people it is designed for.
Proof of Concept
Prior to the start of the project I created a small program. This has demonstrated that:
- there is a usable software speech synthesizer available
- the concept with morse codes is valid.
Allthough this software performs some of the needed functions I don't feel it has much value in practice now.
There is a description of the program in program outline.
Timeline & availibility
Speech4Pedro is not available yet.
Everything depends of the people who like to work on the project. It would be nice to have 10 - 20 people working on it with a diverse background. If we are able to reach such a level of engagement it should be possible to release a first version in early 2009.
The way we work
We will work with a proper design. Not just code hacking. We will try to get so many people involved that the work will be light for each individual.
About...
I am Jan-Willem Arnold and started this project in November 2008. I have over 15 year of experience in ICT, innovation and project management. See also www.delarte.nl. If you have questions e-mail me at 'jwar xs4all.nl' (place the at-sign at the position of the space).