A New Generation of Communication Aids under the ULYSSES Component-Based Framework
Georgios Kouroupetroglou, Alexandros Pino · 2002 · Proceedings of the Fifth International ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '02) · doi:10.1145/638249.638289
Summary
This paper from the University of Athens introduces ULYSSES, a component-based software framework for building customisable AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices. The core problem ULYSSES addresses is that AAC users have highly diverse and individual needs — varying motor abilities, cognitive levels, language capabilities, and communication contexts — yet the assistive technology market is fragmented, with small manufacturers developing isolated, proprietary products that cannot be mixed, matched, or adapted. ULYSSES applies modern software engineering principles (component-based development using Microsoft's COM+ architecture) to create a plug-and-play ecosystem where independently developed AAC software components can interoperate transparently. The framework provides an "engineering-for-reuse" environment for component developers (guidelines, tools, and a COM+ Event Service for inter-component communication) and an "engineering-with-reuse" environment for system integrators who assemble customised communication aids from pre-built parts. Components communicate through a publish/subscribe messaging model, so they can interact without knowing about each other's existence, making it easy to add, remove, or swap components to match individual user needs.
Key findings
The paper presents several ULYSSES-compliant components and three complete communication aid configurations demonstrating the framework's flexibility. Components include: on-screen keyboards (configurable as alphabetic, QWERTY, or frequency-sorted layouts); scanning modules supporting automatic, directed, and window-level scanning; word and symbol selection sets with configurable grid sizes; a syntactic parser that corrects grammatical errors in telegraphic input; a speech composer using the DEMOSTHeNES text-to-speech system; chat and email modules for remote communication; and symbol editors. The three communicator configurations serve distinct user populations: (1) a Natural Language Communicator for users with severe motor impairments who can read and write but not speak, operated via a single switch (Big Red, Jelly Bean, motion sensor, eye blink, or sip-and-puff); (2) a BLISS Communicator for users with cognitive limitations who communicate through Blissymbolics via touchscreen; and (3) a MAKATON Communicator for users with severe cognitive and motor impairments using Makaton symbols via single switch with scanning. A notable innovation was window-level scanning, where multiple ULYSSES windows can be synchronised and selected with a single switch click, reducing the number of switches needed.
Relevance
ULYSSES addressed a systemic problem in the AAC industry that persists today: the high cost and poor adaptability of communication aids. By enabling component reuse across products and manufacturers, the framework had the potential to reduce development costs and increase the variety of available configurations. The three communicator examples vividly illustrated how the same underlying components could be assembled into radically different systems — from a text-based single-switch communicator for a literate user with motor impairments to a symbol-based touchscreen system for someone with cognitive disabilities. The approach anticipated modern trends in modular assistive technology and the growing recognition that one-size-fits-all communication devices fail many users. The framework's emphasis on internet communication (chat, email) was forward-thinking, recognising that AAC users need access to the same digital communication channels as everyone else. While the specific COM+ technology is now dated, the architectural principles of interoperable, pluggable AAC components remain highly relevant as the field moves toward more personalised and affordable communication solutions.
Tags: augmentative and alternative communication · component-based framework · software engineering · assistive technology · speech synthesis · switch access · symbol communication · scanning