This page is read only. You may view, but not change it. ===== Tool-Assisted Speech: DIY Speech Synth for AAC and Affirmation ===== * **Speaker**: Kasanwa-Solane Aster-Hope (KaSo) * **Room**: 250 * **Time**: Saturday, [[https://pretalx.seagl.org/2026/talk/ZBH9WX.ics|Oct 24th 10:30 – 10:50]] * **Format**: Talk (20 min) * **Difficulty**: Moderate * **Track**: Technical * **Additional Tags**: AAC, Accessibility, Text-to-Speech, Open Hardware, FLOSS * * **Experience**: Background in tech and administrator of the OctoFriends.Garden services. ==== Description: ==== For some, transforming the words in their head into audio that others can hear is a significant challenge, and sometimes the auditory properties of one's own speech can feel "wrong" or uncomfortable. To facilitate communication with more ease and comfort, the speaker has created a portable text-to-speech software built on top of open-source hardware and existing FLOSS. This session shares the development and utility of this tool as a means of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and personal affirmation. Project URL: https://git.octofriends.garden/ka_so/tool_assisted_speech **Target Audience:** * Individuals using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools * Accessibility and open hardware developers * The neurodivergent community and allies
