AAC Language Resources in the Mainstream

• In order to provide language support to individuals requiring augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) we need linguistic resources suitably organized and represented, e.g., sign language material, symbol and image libraries suitable for multiple cognitive levels, as well as textual support in many languages. So far, these resources have been developed and maintained in separate and uncoordinated efforts, either by commercial or non-profit actors, and targeting different specific groups and needs. In the long run, this is a non-inclusive, ineffective and expensive way of proceeding, leading to limited benefit for AAC users and stake-holders, as well as for potential wider application. In a number of related efforts, work is underway to link free symbol libraries (at present Blissymbols and ARASAAC), where applicable using the Concept Coding Framework (CCF) technology, to common state-of-the-art lexical resources and language technology. The aim is to gradually establish a foundation for inclusive AAC support based on, and included in, mainstream and openly available lexical and language resources for wide use in all sectors of society. Following up results in this area from the European AEGIS project, work is now proceeding in cooperation between DART (centre for AAC and AT), Språkbanken (the Swedish Language Bank) and Centre for language Technology (CLT), University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and others. Results from this work will be presented and demonstrated, and the implications will be discussed. These, and several other signs of the time, strongly indicate that this is way to go.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Språkteknologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Language Technology (hsv//eng)

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