Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

VitaApp: Augmentative and Alternative Communication System Aimed at Older Adults

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Information and Communication Technologies (TICEC 2021)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 1456))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems (AACs) is an important study area for people who need alternative ways to communicate their ideas. An AAC web system based on pictograms for the elderly VitaApp is pre- sented in this paper. The system results from the implementation of the last phase of the UIAAC method, which guides the design and implementation of AAC systems aimed at older adults. VitaApp is based on a client-server architecture, divided into three roles: a) administrator, carer: these oversee customizing the interface and have dedicated web applications; b) elderly: they use the AAC application that their caregiver personalizes for them. The graphical interface of the AAC application is evaluated through a case study that was applied to an older adult, his caregiver, and a clinical psychologist; in this, the ease of use, usefulness, and future use of the web application were evaluated. The results show that its users perceive VitaApp as an alternative communication support tool, useful, easy to use, and considered to be used in the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Statista Research Department: U.S. - seniors as a percentage of the population 2050. In: Statistics Research Department (2021). https://www.statista.com/statistics/457822/share-of-old-age-population-in-the-total-us-population/. Accessed 3 Jun 2021

  2. Cedillo, P., Beltran, P., Rodríguez, P.: Evaluación de la accesibilidad de MOOC orientados a la tercera edad. Undefined (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Office Statistics: Eurostat Statistics Explained (2015). 2443-8219

    Google Scholar 

  4. Machado, J.: Ecuador tendrá 1,3 millones de adultos mayores a finales de 2020. Primicias (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wolrd Health Organitation: World Report on Disability (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Carvalho, D.N., et al.: Augmentative and alternative communication with adults and elderly in the hospital environment: an integrative literature review. Rev CEFAC 22, 1–11 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/202022516019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Hustad, K.C.: Augmentative and alternative communication. In: Weissbrod, P.A., Francis, D.O. (eds.) Neurologic and Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Larynx, pp. 407–413. Springer, Cham (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28852-5_34

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  8. Gregor, P., Newell, A.F., Zajicek, M.: Designing for dynamic diversity. In: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), p. 151 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Dodd, C., Athauda, R., Adam, M.T.P.: Designing user interfaces for the elderly: a systematic literature review. In: Proceedings of 28th Australas Conference on Information Systems ACIS 2017 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Arnott, J.L., Alm, N.: Towards the improvement of augmentative and alternative communication through the modelling of conversation. Comput Speech Lang 27, 1194–1211 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csl.2012.10.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Williams, D.M.: Designing Educational and Intelligent Human-Computer Interfaces for Older Adults (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Beukelman, D., Light, J.: Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs, 5th edn. Brookes Publishing, Baltimore (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Keskinen, T., Heimonen, T., Turunen, M., Rajaniemi, J.P., Kauppinen, S.: SymbolChat: picture-based communication platform for users with intellectual disabilities. In: Miesenberger, K., Karshmer, A., Penaz, P., Zagler, W. (eds) Computers Helping People with Special Needs. ICCHP 2012. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 7383, pp. 279–286. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31534-3_43

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Bircanin, F., et al.: Challenges and Opportunities in Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Technologies. In: Proceedings of the 31st Australian Conference on Human-Computer-Interaction. ACM, New York, NY, USA, pp 184–196 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Light, J., McNaughton, D.: Putting people first: Re-thinking the role of technology in augmentative and alternative communication intervention. AAC Augment. Altern. Commun. 29, 299–309 (2013). https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2013.848935

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Wołk, K.: Emergency, pictogram-based augmented reality medical communicator prototype using precise eye-tracking technology. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 22, 151–157 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2018.0035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Arias, E., López, G., Quesada, L., Guerrero, L.: Alternative and augmentative communication for people with disabilities and language problems: an eye gaze tracking approach. In: Di Bucchianico, G., Kercher, P. (eds.) Advances in Design for Inclusion, pp. 451–461. Springer International Publishing, Cham (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41962-6_40

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  18. Abad, F., Collaguazo, C., Sánchez, W.: Usability Model of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems and Pictographic Systems in People with Disabilities (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Nunes, I.: Ergonomics and usability – key factors in knowledge society. Enterp. Work Innov. Stud. 2, 88–94 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Dudczyk, J., Zielinska, M.: Ergonomic convergence of a modular integrator in aspect of soldier’s situational awareness on the battlefield. J. Ergon. 06, 1–6 (2016). https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-7556.1000155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Sanchez, W., Collaguazo, C., Prado, D., Cedillo, P.: UIAAC: a method for designing of graphical user interface for augmentative and alternative communication. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health. SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications, pp 256–264 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Pal, S., Mangal, N.K., Khosla, A.: Development of assistive application for patients with communication disability. In: 2017 International Conference on Innovations in Green Energy and Healthcare Technologies (IGEHT), pp. 1–4. IEEE, Coimbatore, India (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Liegel, L.A., Nogueira, G.N., Nohama, P.: Portable system for alternative communication. In: 2019 Global Medical Engineering Physics Exchanges/ Pan American Health Care Exchanges (GMEPE/PAHCE), pp. 1–4. IEEE, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Gould, J.D., Lewis, C.: Designing for usability---key principles and what designers think. In: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - CHI 1983, pp 50–53. ACM Press, New York, New York, USA (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Czaja, S.J., Boot, W.R., Charness, N., Rogers, W.A.: Designing for Older Adults, 3rd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton (2019)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  26. Nes, M., Ribu, K., Tollefsen, M.: Universal Design in Computer Science Education and Systems Development (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Collaguazo, C., Sanchez, W.: Método para el diseño de interfaces de usuario orientadas al adulto mayor, que incluyen modalidades de comunicación aumentativa y alternativa simbólica soportadas por medios tecnológicos. Universidad de Cuenca (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Runeson, P., Höst, M., Rainer, A., Regnell, B.: Case Study Research in Software Engineering. John Wiley & Sons Inc, Hoboken (2012)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  29. Andrews, A.A., Pradhan, A.S.: Ethical issues in empirical software engineering: the limits of policy. Empir. Softw. Eng. 6, 105–110 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011442319273

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  30. Davis, F.D.: A technology acceptance model for empirically testing new end-user information systems : theory and results (1985)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is part of the research projects: “Design of architectures and interaction models for assisted living environments aimed at older adults. Case study: playful and social environments” and “Fog Computing applied to monitor devices used in assisted living environments; study case: a platform for the elderly”, winners of the call for research projects DIUC XVIII and DIUC XVII. Therefore, the authors thank to the Dirección de Investigación de la Universidad de Cuenca (DIUC) of Universidad de Cuenca for its support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca - Azuay Av. 12 de abril s/n, Cuenca, Ecuador

    Priscila Cedillo, Christian Collaguazo-Malla, William Sánchez, Paúl Cárdenas-Delgado & Daniela Prado-Cabrera

Authors
  1. Priscila Cedillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christian Collaguazo-Malla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. William Sánchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paúl Cárdenas-Delgado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Daniela Prado-Cabrera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Priscila Cedillo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Politecnica Salesiana University, Cuenca, Ecuador

    Juan Pablo Salgado Guerrero

  2. Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador

    Janneth Chicaiza Espinosa

  3. Politecnica Salesiana University, Cuenca, Ecuador

    Mariela Cerrada Lozada

  4. CEDIA, Cuenca, Ecuador

    Santiago Berrezueta-Guzman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Cedillo, P., Collaguazo-Malla, C., Sánchez, W., Cárdenas-Delgado, P., Prado-Cabrera, D. (2021). VitaApp: Augmentative and Alternative Communication System Aimed at Older Adults. In: Salgado Guerrero, J.P., Chicaiza Espinosa, J., Cerrada Lozada, M., Berrezueta-Guzman, S. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies. TICEC 2021. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1456. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89941-7_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89941-7_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-89940-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-89941-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation