title: Use of speech generating devices can improve perception of qualifications for skilled, verbal, and interactive jobs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have previously demonstrated that when speech generating devices (SGD) are used as assistive technologies, they are preferred over the users' natural voices.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to examine whether using SGDs would affect listener's perceptions of hirability of people with complex communication needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a series of three experiments, participants rated videotaped actors, one using SGD and the other using their natural, mildly dysarthric voice, on (a) a measurement of perceptions of speaker credibility, strength, and informedness and (b) measurements of hirability for jobs coded in terms of skill, verbal ability, and interactivity. Experiment 1 examined hirability for jobs varying in terms of skill and verbal ability. Experiment 2 was a replication that examined hirability for jobs varying in terms of interactivity. Experiment 3 examined jobs in terms of skill and specific mode of interaction (face-to-face, telephone, computer-mediated).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Actors were rated more favorably when using SGD than their own voices. Actors using SGD were also rated more favorably for highly skilled and highly verbal jobs. This preference for SGDs over mildly dysarthric voice was also found for jobs entailing computer-mediated-communication, particularly skillful jobs.
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Chelsea M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chobany
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Beam
authors.forename: Brittany N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Hoover
authors.forename: Thomas T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linsenbigler
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Makdad-Light
authors.forename: Courtney N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Rubright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000592:standards*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013060:Speech; D000066477:Work Performance / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Augmentative and alternative communication; assistive technology; computer synthesized speech; disability; discrimination; stigma