• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the influence of the word-prediction function on the sentence generation speed and (2) the necessity, convenience, and satisfaction of the word-prediction function of the AAC keyboard. A total of 10 adults with cerebral palsy participated and the word-prediction function of the Korean high-tech AAC device called "MyTalkie Smart" keyboard was used for this study. Participants were required to generate sentence as voice outputs using a word-prediction function and letters direct-input function respectively, then they were required to evaluate the necessity, convenience, and satisfaction using a five-point Likert scale. Other user requirements were examined using a free feedback. The results of this study presented that the sentence generation speeds were faster when participants used a word-prediction function than using a letters direct-input function. However, there was no statistically significant difference between these two input methods, and it might be due to the lack of time to practice the new device. Participants showed positive responses for the necessity, convenience, and satisfaction of the word-prediction function.