Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives or www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs).

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This document was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, Subcommittee SC 35, User interfaces.

A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC 20071 series can be found on the ISO and IEC websites.

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Introduction

Face-to-face communication (e.g. vocal speech and sign language) is the most basic and oldest means of communication between humans. Speech communication only works when the various persons involved share a common natural language. Today, there are over 7 000 natural languages in the world. Speech between two persons not sharing a common language only works if they have one or more translators to assist them.

Pictures are the oldest form of recording communications for other humans to receive at a later point in time. While some pictures can be challenging to understand, simple pictures that clearly represent what is being communicated are a good way of communicating between humans who can see the pictures.

Written text arrived later as a means of recording speech communications. However, there are over 3 000 natural languages that do not have a written form. Thus, written text only works for human-to-human communications where both humans share the ability to use the same written language. Text has recently taken a much more critical role in communications due to the printing of books and the use of text by computer systems. Some people who communicate face-to-face via text find it easier to communicate face-to-face with pictograms.

Pictograms, like early forms of writing in some natural languages, use simple pictures to communicate with persons who cannot speak or use the written form of some natural language.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) makes use of pictograms and other alternate forms of communication to serve a variety of users not able to fully use the available spoken or written language.

NOTE While the most common use of AAC is to facilitate communication or at least one person with langage difficulties, some AAC are also used for vocalization from text or pictograms by people with speech difficulties.

1 Scope

This document provides an introduction to and basic guidance on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in the information and communication technology (ICT) domain. It also provides common definitions and a framework for the development of further, more detailed guidance relating to aspects of these AACs.

This document recognizes that AAC can be delivered on various ICT devices and the importance of consistency for users across devices. It applies to AAC software and not the devices on which the software is used.

This document recognizes that AAC provides many users with a unique form of communication that is not necessarily based on any specific natural language.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Conventions

5 Introduction to AAC

5.1 AAC

Augmentative and alternative communications (AAC) can provide or improve communications by diverse users in diverse contexts.

AAC supports a wide range of people with communication impairments (such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing) who communicate their intentions to others through the use of residual abilities (both verbal and nonverbal).

Alternative and augmentative communication supports people whether or not they understand natural language.

5.2 The range of users of AAC

5.3 Implementations

6 Basic guidance related to AAC

6.1 General

6.2 Focus

6.3 Basic functionality

7 Further guidance related to AAC

7.1 Design and use of pictograms, photos, and icons in AAC

7.2 A core set of pictograms for use in AAC

7.3 The use of various forms (written, auditory, and tactile) of text information in AAC

7.4 Translating AAC utterances to natural languages

7.5 Face-to-face AAC messaging

7.6 Incorporating remote messaging into AAC

7.7 Accessible narratives using AAC

7.8 Accessible creation of accessible narratives

7.9 Other AAC applications

Bibliography