Tawsol Symbols 3D -- Towards an innovative Picture Exchange Communication Systems PECS

TL;DR

This paper introduces Tawsol Symbols 3D, an innovative 3D-based Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) designed to enhance communication for individuals with difficulties by utilizing 3D pictograms.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel 3D pictogram system for PECS, aiming to improve communication effectiveness and accessibility for users with communication challenges.

Findings

3D symbols improve comprehension for users with communication difficulties.

Tawsol Symbols 3D offers a flexible and visually engaging alternative to traditional pictogram sets.

Initial evaluations suggest increased user engagement and communication success.

Abstract

Pictograms (also called symbols) are widely used in daily life as a type of visual language, such as transportation venue signs (airport, rail station, etc.), road signs, care symbols on clothing, or direction symbols (Tijus et al., 2007). This shows how symbols can communicate information quickly and effectively. Fundamentally, symbols can be understood, regardless of the person's language or literacy skills. Therefore, people with communication difficulties may benefit from using symbols to comprehend what other people are saying, as well as to express themselves. There are many sets of pictograms available online or in the market as printed cards, some of them are free and some must be purchased. Pictogram sets can be considered in several ways including how pictorial, how guessable, how flexible, how consistent, and how visually complex. Each symbol set has strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of a symbol set should be based on the needs and abilities of the person using AAC.