1. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Open Source Software for Assistive Technology. ACE Centre Advisory Trust: Andrew Lysley, Jason Walsh, Stephen Druce Access to Communication and Technology, Birmingham: Simon Judge In collaboration with: University of Dundee, Dept of Computing Swedish Institute for Special Needs Education

2. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Contents

3. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Project Goals Making existing Open Source Software more accessible: Listing software in a central database Providing simple and easy methods to find appopriate software Standardising download and installation of software Creating new, innovative, Open Source Software: Attracting volunteer developers Clearly communicating user’s needs for software Providing effective communication between users and developers

4. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software What is Open Source Software OSS or FLOSS (Free/Libre/Open Source Software) ! Open Source is Free software… As in Speech… …Not necessarily beer! Open Source is developed by ‘volunteers’

5. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software What is Open Source Software – Cont… Examples of mainstream Open Source Software: LINUX: A complete operating system (to rival Windows/Mac). Linux is used on the majority of the world’s web servers and many desktops. Open Office: A complete office application (to rival Microsoft Office) that works across operating systems and is compatible with other office packages. Mozilla/FireFox: A web browser (to rival IE and other browsers) with additional features to some browsers that is extensively used and becoming increasingly popular Lots More: If you want to do it, Open Source Software probably exists out there for you to do it! OSS is massive - 95,780 registered projects on SourceForge (the main OSS website)

6. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software What is Assistive Technology Software? Assistive Technology (AT): “used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals [with disabilities]” AT Software includes: Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Writing tools Computer access tools Environmental control

7. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Project History Speechmakers project Originated by meeting facilitated by Richard Stilgoe (Orpheus Centre) to investigate alternative voices for communication aids Project evolved to producing open source software – a small group of developers involved Small amount of software produced and much background work on AT open source software. Many thousands of downloads of initial software ACE Centre Developing project to list and promote existing OS software The joint project offers many benefits, especially building the user-developer relationship.

8. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Project Details Two parts: Repository The repository is the ‘database’ of existing Open Source Software Presented to allow easy retrieval and installation of appropriate software Forge The forge is where new software is developed The project will last for 1 year (from Feb 2005)

9. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Project Outcomes Website: Main deliverable The site will be the front end for both Forge and Repository The site will provide the ‘pipe’ for communication between users and developers The site will be a ‘content management system’ to allow easy and sustainable management

10. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Project Outcomes. Cont… Software Comprehensive database of software Ability to ‘specify’ software to be developed on the site Access to assessment and research tools Resources Open Source can apply to more than just code: Symbol libraries Software resources, e.g. GridSets, configurations etc. These could be for proprietary software if created from non copyright material

11. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Example Software Forge examples: PowerTalk Voice output of presentations Dkey ‘Disambiguation’ (or predictive text) keyboard for PC Repository examples: Dasher Innovative text production for head pointing from Cambridge University Inference Group GOK On screen keyboard for linux, one of many OS AT projects for Linux

12. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Statements, Issues and Questions… AT software is a minimally innovative field The pace of innovation of AT software is not comparable with mainstream software. Mainstream technology in human computer interaction (HCI) is a fast growing field AT software will increasingly become a matter of ‘customising’ software for the AT user group AT software (and computer access in general) has the capability to bridge the gap between mainstream and specialist applications I.e. AT software could be useful for all computer users

13. ACT: 16 th Feb 2005OATS – Open Assistive Technology Software Statements, Issues and Questions… Many universities research areas relevant to AT Much research does not reach the market Valedictory research is difficult Open Source software will provide an alternative method of software development that allows more innovation and evidence based practice.