Virtual Home Assistants for People with Dysarthria

Abstract

Many individuals with disabilities use virtual home assistants (VHAs) to communicate and execute daily tasks (Pradhan, Mehta & Findlater 2018). Because VHAs are controlled by verbal communication, some groups of users, including people with speech impairments, face barriers to effective interaction with VHAs. My research addresses the problems that individuals with speech impairments, specifically those with dysarthria, experience in interacting with these devices. I propose an alternate technique for interaction using nonverbal voice cues, such as humming, hissing and vowel sounds. The technique requires from the user only the ability to vocalise.

Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences

“…This interaction method involves using speech, in which users directly send commands to the SVA by uttering a sentence command, for example, "Alexa, what is the weather today?" (ii) Nonverbal voice cues through the Daria system [15,27]. We refer to this system as "Daria", an easy to pronounce name.…”

“…Further, all the letters from Daria are in "DysARthrIA" and in the same order. This choice was informed by emerging research indicating the potential of nonverbal vocalizations in enhancing interaction for individuals who have speech impairments [15,27]. Daria is a custom-developed system that allows for interaction with SVAs by using nonverbal voice cues, offering a more straightforward, shorter, and less fatiguing alternative to traditional speech commands.…”

“…Prior studies have been conducted on the design of Daria [15,27], underscoring its primary goal of empowering individuals who have dysarthria. The system's design involved collaboration with individuals diagnosed with dysarthria, ensuring that Daria is sensitively and effectively attuned to their specific communication challenges and preferences.…”

“…As an alternative to verbal interactions, another technique that aligns with the capabilities of users who have dysarthria has been suggested. This alternative involves using nonverbal voice cues for interaction [15,27]. In interviews conducted with 19 participants who had dysarthria [15], it was found that this method of interaction was well accepted by the individuals.…”