Introduction
Aphasia, which is the loss of ability to use or understand language, can affect anyone. Often caused by strokes or brain injuries, it’s a condition where words may become elusive, yet human connection persists through creativity and support. Simply put, it’s not about losing your thoughts but losing the bridge to share them, turning every interaction into a puzzle waiting to be solved
Americans acquire
this disorder each year
United States citizens
currently have aphasia
My team within MICA’s graduate UX Design program wanted to work on an accessible solution for those with communication or auditory impairments. Our end-result product is CommuniMate, an AAC app for adults who need communication assistance in professional environments.
I was in charged of developing of the design system and assisting with the research.
Challenge
How might we empower individuals with auditory or speech impairments to engage confidently in professional settings?
Research
What is AAC?
AAC, short for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, encompasses tools, devices, and strategies that empower those who struggle with verbal speech to express their thoughts, needs, and emotions in dynamic ways, whether through gestures, sign language, or sophisticated speech-generating devices.
Think of it as a life-changing bridge to communication, enabling voices to be heard even when traditional speech falls silent.
From learning about the current platforms we discovered that most competitors are iPhone-compatible and allow users to customize their apps, but none of them offer sign language transcription, which is a big gap in the market.
Participants in our initial round of interviews included speech therapists, ABA therapists, and caregivers. The majority expressed a preference for using an AAC app to enhance professional opportunities rather than for casual or social interactions.
Our research revealed Communication Ease as the main theme, with second-level themes like Flexibility & Independence and Accessibility, and third-level themes such as Customization, Collaboration, Translation, and Product Availability. From these, we identified two key opportunities: sign language gesture recognition and multiple language translation options.
Solution
In the basic layout, we focused on highlighting the questionnaire and two major features: one utilizing new technology and the other leveraging existing technology.
Following two iterative cycles, we adopted an agile approach to refine and perfect the application's design, ultimately achieving a finalized version that effectively meets our objectives and user needs. This process allowed for continuous feedback and adaptation, enhancing the design's functionality and user experience with each iteration.
Conclusion
The profound impact of AAC tools could be, not only in transforming the communication abilities of users but also in enhancing the interactions with their families, caregivers, and professionals.
At its core, CommuniMate embodies the power of technology to dismantle communication barriers, enabling individuals who cannot rely on speech to convey their thoughts and needs effectively. Through the process, we reaffirm the significance of accessibility and user-centered design in creating tools that allow for meaningful, barrier-free communication across various settings.