Hearing stakeholder voices in the design of a non-electronic sepedi graphic symbol-based AAC resource

The design of non-English Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) resources is an urgent necessity. Human centered design (HCD) may be a useful framework for involving stakeholders in establishing design requirements for a non-electronic Sepedi graphic symbol-based AAC resource. This framework foregrounds the voice of stakeholders in the design process to counter the hegemony of Western Anglo-centric methodologies and approaches. This study aimed to obtain initial input on the need for and design requirements of a non-electronic Sepedi GS-based AAC resource from the stakeholders. A qualitative descriptive design was used. The perspectives of 21 stakeholders including special school teachers, speech-language therapists, parents of participants in need of AAC, Sepedi linguists and adults using AAC were obtained via focus groups and interviews. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants highlighted a need for a culturally and linguistically appropriate AAC resource. They furthermore indicated that the resource should promote communication access, social inclusion and the development of various communication and language skills. The school and the home environment were identified as primary contexts of use. Specific suggestions regarding the vocabulary, the graphic symbols, the lay-out and organization of the vocabulary as well as the physical properties of the resource were obtained. The participants highlighted a need for a team to design and develop the resource. The study showed that diverse stakeholders could contribute meaningfully to the design process of an AAC resource for young individuals from a Sepedi language background.